Zotero MCP · kujenga — Claude Code MCP server: features and setup
Give an AI assistant access to your Zotero library to find items, inspect metadata, and read PDF text. Useful when you want to work with sources without leaving your coding assistant.
claude mcp add --env ZOTERO_LOCAL=<ZOTERO_LOCAL> --env ZOTERO_API_KEY=<ZOTERO_API_KEY> --env ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID> --env ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE> --transport stdio kujenga-zotero-mcp -- uvx zotero-mcpWhat Zotero MCP does
Zotero MCP connects a Zotero library to an AI assistant over MCP. It provides three tools: search library items with a text query, fetch metadata for a selected item, and retrieve that item's full text, including PDF contents. An assistant can locate a source first, then request its details or text.
The server can use Zotero's local API or the Zotero Web API. For local access, enable communication with other applications in Zotero settings and keep the desktop app running. Web API access requires a Zotero API key and library ID, so those credentials must be ready before setup. In Claude Code, you can register the server with uvx.
What it helps with
- search a Zotero library with a text query
- retrieve metadata for a specific library item
- read the full text of a PDF item
- give an assistant publication details for source-based work
Example prompts for the agent
- Find items in my Zotero library about neural networks in medicine.
- Retrieve the complete metadata for this Zotero item.
- Read the PDF text from the publication you found.
How to install Zotero MCP
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env ZOTERO_LOCAL=<ZOTERO_LOCAL> --env ZOTERO_API_KEY=<ZOTERO_API_KEY> --env ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID> --env ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE> --transport stdio kujenga-zotero-mcp -- uvx zotero-mcpReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from zotero-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
codex mcp add kujenga-zotero-mcp --env ZOTERO_LOCAL=<ZOTERO_LOCAL> --env ZOTERO_API_KEY=<ZOTERO_API_KEY> --env ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID> --env ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE> -- uvx zotero-mcpReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from zotero-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"kujenga-zotero-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"zotero-mcp"
],
"env": {
"ZOTERO_LOCAL": "<ZOTERO_LOCAL>",
"ZOTERO_API_KEY": "<ZOTERO_API_KEY>",
"ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID": "<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID>",
"ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE": "<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from zotero-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"servers": {
"kujenga-zotero-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"zotero-mcp"
],
"env": {
"ZOTERO_LOCAL": "<ZOTERO_LOCAL>",
"ZOTERO_API_KEY": "<ZOTERO_API_KEY>",
"ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID": "<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID>",
"ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE": "<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from zotero-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e ZOTERO_LOCAL=<ZOTERO_LOCAL> -e ZOTERO_API_KEY=<ZOTERO_API_KEY> -e ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID> -e ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=<ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE> kujenga-zotero-mcp uvx zotero-mcpReplace <…> with your own values. uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from zotero-mcp <command>
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Zotero MCP
How do I install Zotero MCP in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add zotero-mcp -e ZOTERO_API_KEY=<ZOTERO_API_KEY> -- uvx zotero-mcp. For Web API access, provide your Zotero API key.
What does Zotero MCP do?
It lets an AI assistant search Zotero library items, fetch their metadata, and read an item's full text, including PDF contents.
What do I need to connect Zotero?
Choose the local Zotero API or the Zotero Web API. Local access requires enabling communication with other applications and keeping Zotero open; the Web API requires an API key and library ID.
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