How to synchronize the library through Zotero and Mendeley?

Synchronizing reference libraries directly between Zotero and Mendeley is not feasible through native integration, as these are separate platforms with distinct synchronization infrastructures. Full, automatic, two-way sync is not achievable. Effective synchronization requires manual intervention using intermediate formats. The primary method involves exporting references from one application into a compatible interchange format, such as BibTeX, and then importing this file into the other application. Metadata transfer is generally reliable, but associated full-text PDFs and detailed annotations are not always preserved correctly. This process must be repeated manually for updates, and maintaining consistency between the two separate libraries requires careful management. Relying solely on folder watching mechanisms for automatic updates is unreliable. To transfer references, first generate a BibTeX file (*.bib) from your source library (e.g., in Zotero: File > Export Library, choose BibTeX). Then, import this file into your target library (e.g., in Mendeley: File > Add Files > Import BibTeX). This establishes separate libraries; changes made in one application later will not reflect automatically in the other. Periodically re-exporting and importing updated BibTeX files is necessary, though inherent limitations remain regarding linked files and annotations. Consider this method for initial migration or periodic bulk transfers rather than continuous synchronization.