Bookends 15.4.3.3.7

Bookends

A Mac-native reference manager for researchers who need to collect literature, annotate PDFs, sync libraries across devices, and turn temporary citations into formatted bibliographies inside Word, Mellel, or Nisus Writer Pro.

Bookends centers on a configurable library of references with attached PDFs, notes, smart groups, and hierarchical folders. You can import metadata from PubMed, Google Scholar, arXiv, JSTOR, DOI/PMID/ISBN Quick Add, EndNote XML, and migrations from Zotero, Mendeley, Papers, and Sente. The built-in PDF reader supports highlights, annotations, note streams, and deep links back into your library while you write elsewhere. Floating Citations and Citation Inspectors in Microsoft Word and Mellel let you search references, view PDF markup, and insert citations without leaving the manuscript.

Writing, sync, and AI on Mac

When a draft is ready, Bookends scans the document — from within supported word processors or from exported Word, Pages, LibreOffice, and RTF files — replacing temporary citations with publisher-ready in-text citations, footnotes, and bibliographies using built-in formats or thousands of CSL styles. iCloud sync keeps references and groups aligned between Mac and Bookends for iOS; AppleScript automation extends workflows for power users. Version 15.4 added Word Citation Inspector panels; 15.4.2 introduced an MCP server so compatible AI assistants (including Cursor and Claude Desktop) can search libraries, read PDFs, import references, and format bibliographies from natural-language prompts.

Licensing and 15.4.3.3.7

The demo never expires but limits active libraries to 50 references; a paid registration removes the cap and includes two years of free updates according to Sonny Software. Bookends 15 requires macOS 11 Big Sur or later on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. Build 15.4.3.3.7 corresponds to the 15.4.3 release line (August 8, 2026), which refines MCP tools, PDF focus view, edit-pane field expansion, Services-menu search, and several import and PDF fixes.