cite-rag-mcp

A local MCP server for evidence-safe academic citation workflows:

• verified-reference retrieval

• Zotero duplicate detection and DOI import

• Better BibTeX citekey extraction

• citekey-constrained writing bundles

• Word export through Pandoc, zotero.lua, and template.docx

The server supports four workflow modes through the run_reference_workflow tool:

1. retrieve_only

2. import_only

3. export_only

4. full_pipeline

Safety Rules

• Never fabricate references, citekeys, DOIs, or citation facts.

• retrieve_only must not draft prose.

• import_only must not run open-ended literature retrieval.

• export_only must not retrieve literature or add references.

• full_pipeline keeps the end-to-end path, but still cannot bypass verified references.

• Word export must use Zotero live citations, zotero.lua, and template.docx.

Related MCP server: ZotLink

Requirements

• Python 3.11+

• Zotero Desktop running locally

• Better BibTeX for Zotero

• Pandoc on PATH for Word export

Install Python dependencies:

python -m pip install -r requirements.txt

Codex MCP Configuration

Example config.toml entry:

[mcp_servers.cite-rag-mcp]
command = "python"
args = ["C:\\path\\to\\cite-rag-mcp\\server.py"]
startup_timeout_sec = 20

Adjust the path for your local clone.

Main Tool

Use run_reference_workflow.

retrieve_only

Inputs:

• citation_need_csv_path, or

• retrieval_request

Behavior:

• Searches and ranks literature

• Verifies DOI metadata

• Checks Zotero duplicates

• Imports missing verified DOI items into the selected Zotero collection when needed

• Returns citekeys

It does not write body text and does not export Word.

import_only

Inputs:

• doi_list, or

• title_list plus optional authors_list, or

• verified_references_csv_path

Behavior:

• Confirms whether items already exist in Zotero

• Imports DOI-backed items when needed

• Returns citekeys or a clear unresolved status

It does not draft body text and does not export Word.

export_only

Inputs:

• markdown_path, or

• markdown_content

Behavior:

• Reads finalized Markdown

• Removes any <Citation_Reasoning> block before rendering

• Ensures the references anchor is present

• Calls Pandoc with zotero.lua and template.docx

It does not retrieve literature and does not add references.

full_pipeline

Inputs:

• retrieval_request or citation_need_csv_path

• Optional finalized markdown_path or markdown_content

Behavior:

• Runs retrieval and verification

• Produces verified citekeys and a citekey-constrained drafting bundle

• Optionally exports Word if finalized Markdown is provided

The actual drafting step should still be performed by the orchestrator or a writing skill using the returned citekey bundle.

Notes

• The included references/custom_journal_catalog.xlsx is used for journal filtering and ranking.

• The Zotero local connector is expected at http://127.0.0.1:23119.

• No Zotero credentials or API secrets are required by this server.