zotero-mcp
zotero-mcp is an MCP server. It reaches zotero. It needs ZOTERO_API_KEY to authenticate. Its repository has 162 GitHub stars and is licensed under MIT; we last read it on 2026-10-22.
This server provides a lightweight implementation of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for connecting to the Zotero API using Python.
Install
Read from zotero-mcp’s own README, close to verbatim -- not written by us, and not guessed.
pipx run zotero-mcp@latest
What it reaches, and what it needs
Reaches
zotero
Credential
ZOTERO_API_KEY
Maintenance
Stars
162
State
listed
Licence
MIT
From the repository
Lightweight Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for the Zotero API, in Python
What zotero-mcp can do
3 tools documented in its README. An AI client calls these by name.
zotero_search_items- Search for items in your Zotero library using a text query
zotero_item_metadata- Get the complete metadata for a specific Zotero item, covering every populated field grouped into publication details, identifiers, timestamps, and library information
zotero_item_fulltext- Get the full text of a specific Zotero item (i.e. PDF contents)
Read from the README; names are kept only if the README contains them.
Common questions about zotero-mcp
- What does zotero-mcp do?
- This server provides a lightweight implementation of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) for connecting to the Zotero API using Python.
- How do I install zotero-mcp?
- Its own README gives this command: pipx run zotero-mcp@latest. Run it where your MCP client can launch the server, and check the README for any settings it asks for.
- What does zotero-mcp connect to, and what does it need?
- It reaches zotero. The credentials we found in its source are ZOTERO_API_KEY.
- Is zotero-mcp official and is it maintained?
- We found nothing naming it as a vendor’s official server. Its repository has 162 GitHub stars and its state in our directory is listed. Its last commit we recorded was on 2026-08-07.
- What licence does zotero-mcp use?
- The repository declares the MIT licence.