Zotero MCP Server

Stdio MCP adapter for Zotero Local MCP Bridge HTTP endpoint.

Remote serverstreamable-httpPython

What is the Zotero MCP server?

Most developer tooling work still happens through a UI a human drives. Zotero MCP server moves it into the conversation instead. Stdio MCP adapter for Zotero Local MCP Bridge HTTP endpoint.

The short version

Use a Zotero plugin-hosted MCP endpoint to let local agents manage a local Zotero library safely.

Getting it running

Because this one is hosted, setup is mostly authentication — you point your client at the endpoint and approve access. Nothing runs on your machine, so there is no runtime to keep patched.

The tools it exposes

The server publishes 13 tools. What each one is for:

What it needs from you

Configuration is passed through the environment: ZOTERO_API_KEY. Treat anything key-shaped as a real credential — scope it to the minimum the server needs, and rotate it if it ever lands in a shared config.

Things to watch

  • Your data travels to the provider's service, so the usual questions apply about what you send and what they retain.
  • With 13 tools registered it takes up a noticeable share of the context window; turn it off in projects that never touch Zotero.
  • Missing credentials fail quietly in some clients — if no tools show up, check the environment block first.
  • Keep per-call confirmation enabled while you learn its behaviour; it is the cheapest safeguard you have.

How it compares

Among the developer tooling options, the useful question is rarely "what can it do" but "what does it cost you to run" — permissions, credentials, and how much of your context its toolset consumes. Zotero's toolset — Area, Item, Endpoint and 10 more — is a fair guide to whether it matches your workflow. It is maintained by phoenix_chen; worth a glance at recent repository activity before you build anything load-bearing on it.

This entry was verified against Zotero's own documentation before publication; SyncDev keeps the directory reviewed rather than auto-generated.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
AreaCapability
ItemCurrent setting
Endpointhttp://127.0.0.1:23119/zotero-local-mcp-bridge/mcp
ModeBehavior
readonlyBlocks all writes
askforapproveThe agent asks the user for approval after dry-run
yoloOrdinary writes may auto-execute when the plan allows it; high-risk or future unrecoverable operations still require explicit confirmation
FilePurpose
zotero-local-mcp-bridge.xpiZotero plugin
LanguageSkill
English[skills/zotero-local-mcp-bridge/SKILL.md](skills/zotero-local-mcp-bridge/SKILL.md)
Chinese[skills/zotero-local-mcp-bridge-zh-cn/SKILL.md](skills/zotero-local-mcp-bridge-zh-cn/SKILL.md)
No.Operation

How to install the Zotero MCP server

Generic stdio MCP configuration:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "zotero-local-mcp-bridge": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "zotero-local-mcp-bridge-stdio",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}

Configuration as documented by the project. Restart the client after saving.

Configuration

VariableDescriptionRequired
ZOTERO_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use Zotero to Area.
  • Use Zotero to Item.
  • Use Zotero to Endpoint.

Frequently asked questions

It connects Zotero to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 13 tools (Area, Item, Endpoint, and more) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with Zotero directly.