There are a few different ways to get the info about the source you're looking at in to Zotero. You can use the browser extension button, you can import a PDF in to Zotero, you can create a record manually, you can save a webpage with a link, or you can add an item using it's DOI or ISBN.
When you save an article to your Zotero library, the PDF is automatically saved too, alongside all its information. Just double click the title in your Zotero library and the PDF will open.
Zotero recognises when you're on a webpage that contains a book, an article, or a list of search results. By clicking the extension on the top right of your address bar, you can add what you're reading to your Zotero library.
Depending on what type of reference you are looking at the address bar icon will be a book, PDF icon, document, newspaper, etc. To save the citation simply click the icon.
If you are looking at a list of references, such as what you get when you search the Library, you may see a folder icon. This icon allows you to select multiple items from the list to save: 
Click the down arrow next to "My Library" to save the item to a specific folder instead of leaving it unfiled in your main library:
When PDFs are linked to a citation online, Zotero can automatically find the PDF when it grabs the citation.
and select preferences. If you have the DOI of an article or the ISBN number of a book it is easy to add the item to Zotero.
Click on the magic wand icon from the Zotero toolbar and enter the number into the pop up window that appears:
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To add a PDF to your library, open Zotero and drag and drop the PDF into the collection you would like to add it to.
If the PDF has been created with Optical Character Recognition, Zotero can retrieve the details for the PDF. Either right-click (PC) or control-click (Mac) and select Retrieve Metadata for PDF from the drop down menu.
When saving webpages, you can either save it with or without a snapshot. A snapshot is a locally stored copy of a web page in the same state as it was when it was saved. Snapshots are available without an internet connection.
1. Saving with a snapshot will not import citation information into the Zotero entry, but does create a new Zotero item in your library which you can edit manually. Double-click this item in your library to be taken to the locally stored copy of the web page.
Clicking the page icon next to your address bar will save the webpage with a snapshot.
2. Saving without a snapshot means just the link is saved. You will have to manually enter the citation information in to Zotero. Double-clicking the item in your library will bring you to the live website.
To save without a snapshot, right- or control-click the page icon next to your address bar and select 'Save to Zotero' > 'Save to Zotero (Web Page without Snapshot)':
Right- or control-clicking on items and most buttons in Zotero brings up additional functions.
In some cases, such as when you're using a print item/source, you may need to manually add a citation to your Zotero library.
To add a citation manually, simply click on the plus button and select the type of citation you would like to add. A blank item will be added to the middle column. Click on the item to view the information on the item. Click to enter information in the fields for title, author, publication information etc.
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