F
licenseNot graded
qualityC
maintenanceMCP server for interacting with a Zotero library via the local API. Enables searching, retrieving, creating, updating, and deleting Zotero items, managing collections and tags, and generating citations.
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zotero-mcp
zotero-mcp is a read+write MCP server that lets AI assistants fully manage a Zotero reference library via the Zotero Web API.
Search & Read
Full-text search with optional filters for collection, item type, and tag
Retrieve detailed metadata or BibTeX export for a single item
List all collections with hierarchy and item counts
List items within a specific collection
Find duplicate items by title, DOI, or by scanning the entire library
List all tags with item counts
Create & Update
Create a new item from field data (type, title, creators, DOI, tags, etc.)
Auto-create an item by DOI (metadata fetched via Zotero translator + CrossRef)
Import BibTeX entries into a collection
Update fields on an existing item (with version conflict protection)
Collection Management
Create new collections, optionally nested under a parent
Add an item to one or more collections simultaneously
Remove an item from a collection without deleting it
Library Maintenance
Merge duplicates: transfer metadata, tags, and collections to a keeper item, then trash the rest
Delete items by moving to trash or permanently deleting
Supports creating new library items by automatically fetching and filling metadata using Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs).
Provides full read and write support for managing Zotero libraries, including tools for searching items, managing collections and tags, creating new entries, and performing maintenance tasks like merging duplicates.
zotero-mcp
Read+write MCP server for Zotero. An MCP server with full write support for managing Zotero library from AI assistants.
It lets you create items, manage collections, find and merge duplicates, and import BibTeX from within Claude Code/Desktop, or any MCP-compatible client.
Uses the Zotero Web API (requires API key). Get the key at https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys.
Features
Search & Read
Tool | Description |
| Full-text search with collection, type, and tag filters |
| Detailed metadata or BibTeX export for a single item |
| List all collections with hierarchy and item counts |
| List items in a specific collection |
| Find duplicates by title/DOI, or scan entire library |
| List all tags with item counts |
Write
Tool | Description |
| Create item from field data |
| Create item by DOI (auto-fills metadata via Zotero translator + CrossRef) |
| Import BibTeX entries into a collection |
| Update item fields with version conflict protection |
Collections
Tool | Description |
| Create a collection (with optional parent) |
| Add an item to multiple collections at once |
| Remove item from collection (doesn't delete it) |
Management
Tool | Description |
| Merge duplicates: transfer metadata, tags, collections to keeper, delete rest |
| Delete an item |
Related MCP server: zotero-mcp
Installation
Requires Python 3.11+ and uv.
# Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/BirdInTheTree/zotero-mcp.git
cd zotero-mcp
uv syncUsage
Claude Code
claude mcp add zotero \
-e ZOTERO_API_KEY=your-key \
-e ZOTERO_USER_ID=your-user-id \
-- uv run --directory /path/to/zotero-mcp python -m zotero_mcpClaude Desktop
Add to your Claude Desktop config (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS):
{
"mcpServers": {
"zotero": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "--directory", "/path/to/zotero-mcp", "python", "-m", "zotero_mcp"],
"env": {
"ZOTERO_API_KEY": "your-key",
"ZOTERO_USER_ID": "your-user-id"
}
}
}
}Configuration
Variable | Required | Description |
| yes | Zotero Web API key |
| yes | Your Zotero user ID |
Get your API key at https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys. Your user ID is shown on the same page.
Examples
Once connected, you can ask your AI assistant things like:
"Search my Zotero for papers ..."
"Create a new collection called ..."
"Import this BibTeX into my collection"
"Find duplicate items in my library and merge them"
"Add this paper to both collections"
"Look up DOI 10.1234/example and add it to my library"
Development
# Install with dev dependencies
uv sync --dev
# Run tests
uv run pytest tests/ -vLicense
MIT
Available Tools
15 toolsadd_to_collectionsC
Add a Zotero item to one or more collections
Inputs: item_key (required), collection_keys (required). Returns: result
create_collectionC
Create a new Zotero collection
Inputs: name (required), parent_key. Returns: result
create_itemC
Create a new item in Zotero
Inputs: item_type (required), title (required), creators (required), date, +6 more. Returns: result
create_item_from_doiA
Create a Zotero item from a DOI (auto-fills metadata)
Inputs: doi (required), collections, tags. Returns: result
delete_itemB
Delete a Zotero item (move to trash or permanently delete)
Inputs: item_key (required), permanent. Returns: result
find_duplicatesC
Find duplicate items by title or DOI, or scan entire library
Inputs: title, doi, collection_key, scan_all. Returns: result
get_collection_itemsC
List items in a specific Zotero collection
Inputs: collection_key (required), limit. Returns: result
get_collectionsB
List all collections in the Zotero library
Inputs: no named parameters. Returns: result
get_itemB
Get detailed metadata for a single Zotero item
Inputs: item_key (required), format. Returns: result
get_tagsB
List tags in the Zotero library
Inputs: query, limit. Returns: result
import_bibtexC
Import BibTeX entries into Zotero
Inputs: bibtex (required), collection_key. Returns: result
merge_duplicatesC
Merge duplicate Zotero items: transfer metadata, tags, collections to keeper, trash rest
Inputs: keep_key (required), remove_keys (required). Returns: result
remove_from_collectionA
Remove a Zotero item from a collection (does not delete the item)
Inputs: item_key (required), collection_key (required). Returns: result
search_itemsB
Search items in Zotero library with optional filters
Inputs: query (required), collection_key, item_type, tag, +1 more. Returns: result
update_itemC
Update fields on an existing Zotero item
Inputs: item_key (required), fields (required). Returns: result
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
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TDQS
A3.6/5.0
Scored across 15 tools
Disambiguation5/5
Each tool has a clearly distinct purpose targeting specific Zotero operations like collection management, item CRUD, duplicate handling, and import/search functions. There is no significant overlap between tools - for example, 'add_to_collections' and 'remove_from_collection' are complementary but distinct operations, and 'create_item' vs 'create_item_from_doi' serve different creation workflows.
Naming Consistency5/5
All tools follow a consistent verb_noun naming pattern throughout (e.g., create_collection, get_item, search_items, import_bibtex). The naming is perfectly predictable and readable, with no mixing of conventions or inconsistent verb styles across the toolset.
Tool Count5/5
With 15 tools, this server provides comprehensive coverage of Zotero's core functionality without being overwhelming. The count is well-scoped for a reference management system, covering collections, items, duplicates, imports, and searches - each tool earns its place in the domain.
Completeness5/5
The toolset provides complete CRUD/lifecycle coverage for Zotero's domain: full item management (create, get, update, delete), collection operations (create, get, add/remove items), duplicate handling (find and merge), import capabilities, and search functionality. There are no obvious gaps that would cause agent failures in typical reference management workflows.
Maintenance
ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessNo recent community issues
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