zotero-mcp
It's a plugin extension in Zotero. Zotero MCP Plugin enables integration between AI assistants and Zotero through MCP. Zotero MCP Plugin 是一个 Zotero 插件，通过 MCP协议实现 AI 助手与 Zotero深度集成。插件支持文献检索、元 数据管理、全文分析和智能问答等功能，让 Claude、ChatGPT 等 AI 工具能够直接访问和操作您的文献库。
No outside reports on file
This tool gives an AI assistant broad access to your entire research library, so only use it if you trust both the plugin code and the AI service with all your papers and notes.
Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 22, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee.
What it can access
- Local filesReads local filesNOTED
- Command executionNo shell command runner notedLOW
- Network reachConnects to outside service APINOTED
- CredentialsNo API token requiredLOW
- Package sourceGitHub (cookjohn/zotero-mcp)PUBLIC
Inferred from this listing’s public package details and description. Check the project’s source before installing.
Install
No npm or PyPI package is listed. Install from source: github.com/cookjohn/zotero-mcp ↗
About Zotero MCP
This plugin lets AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT connect to Zotero (a research paper management tool) through MCP protocol. It allows the AI to search your research library, read paper metadata, analyze full text, and answer questions about your documents.
Who it’s for
Researchers, academics, and students who use Zotero to organize papers and want AI tools to help analyze or search their libraries. People who rely on Claude or ChatGPT for research work.
Alternatives
- Obsidian with AI plugins: Local note-taking with optional AI integration for research.
- Notion AI: Cloud-based research organization with built-in AI features.
- Semantic Scholar: Standalone research tool with some AI-powered search capabilities.
Setup
Check these steps against the project’s own instructions before running anything.
Follow the project's README for installation instructions. The plugin integrates with Zotero and requires configuration to connect with your chosen AI assistant.
Why this grade
Signal-based grade (3/7 points): well starred on GitHub, public source code. This reflects adoption and transparency, not a code review.
Popularity and upkeep
- GitHub stars
- 1.3k
- Listing last refreshed
- 2026-10-29
These are public popularity signals, not a maintenance check. Look at the repository’s commit history and open issues.
Security reports
No reports found for this package in our research (last checked 2026-10-29).
Risks to watch for
- Full library access: The AI gets read (and potentially write) access to all your Zotero papers, metadata, and notes without filtering or limits.
- Accidental data sharing: Questions you ask the AI about papers may include sensitive research data, which could be logged or retained by the AI service.
- File content attacks: A malicious PDF or document in your library could contain hidden instructions or tricks designed to manipulate the AI's behavior.
- Metadata leakage: Author names, dates, tags, and other metadata from your library could be exposed through AI conversations.
- Plugin vulnerabilities: Bugs in the plugin code could allow unintended access to your Zotero database or computer.
How to lower the risk
Least-privilege permissions
- Only enable the plugin when actively using AI research assistance.
- Check if Zotero or the plugin offers read-only mode to prevent accidental changes.
Network isolation
- Review what data is sent to the AI service (Claude, ChatGPT, etc.) before asking questions.
- Keep sensitive or confidential papers in a separate Zotero library away from AI tools.
Monitoring
- Periodically check your Zotero library for unexpected changes or additions.
- Test the plugin with non-sensitive papers first to see what gets shared.
Red flags to watch for
- Errors or crashes that suggest the plugin is struggling to access your library.
- Unexpected AI responses that reference details you never mentioned directly.
Questions
How do I install Zotero MCP?
Zotero MCP does not publish a standalone npm or PyPI package. Clone or follow the setup instructions in its source repository at github.com/cookjohn/zotero-mcp.
Are there security reports about Zotero MCP?
No reports found for this package in our research (last checked 2026-10-29). Zotero MCP currently holds Grade C (Moderate risk signals) based on public adoption and transparency signals. Key risk areas to watch include full library access, accidental data sharing, file content attacks.
Is Zotero MCP actively maintained?
Zotero MCP has 1.3k GitHub stars. Our directory data was last refreshed on 2026-10-29. Check recent commit activity, release tags, and open issues at github.com/cookjohn/zotero-mcp before pinning it in production.
What are alternatives to Zotero MCP?
Notable alternatives to Zotero MCP include Obsidian with AI plugins (Local note-taking with optional AI integration for research), Notion AI (Cloud-based research organization with built-in AI features), Semantic Scholar (Standalone research tool with some AI-powered search capabilities). You can also compare Zotero MCP side by side with other MCP servers in the Related tools section on this page.
README badge and team notes
Maintain or use Zotero MCP? Show its live grade in your GitHub README, docs site, or run a check from the terminal before you install.
GitHub README Markdown:
[](https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/cookjohn-zotero-mcp)HTML embed:
<a href="https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/cookjohn-zotero-mcp"><img src="https://agentarmorhq.com/api/badge/cookjohn-zotero-mcp" alt="AgentArmorHQ Risk Grade for Zotero MCP" height="20" /></a>Terminal check:
curl -fsSL https://agentarmorhq.com/api/cli | node --input-type=module - check "cookjohn-zotero-mcp"Share with your security lead
Need sign-off to use zotero-mcp? Copy this note for Slack, a ticket or a pull request.
### AgentArmorHQ Security Review Memo: zotero-mcp
- **Listing URL:** https://agentarmorhq.com/skills/cookjohn-zotero-mcp
- **Type:** App connector
- **Risk Grade:** Grade C (Moderate risk signals)
- **Outside Security Advisories on File:** 0
- **Public Adoption:** 1.3k GitHub stars
#### Permission & Blast-Radius Signals
- **Local files:** Reads local files
- **Command execution:** No shell command runner noted
- **Network reach:** Connects to outside service API
- **Credentials:** No API token required
- **Package source:** GitHub (cookjohn/zotero-mcp)
#### Recommended Hardened Setup
- **Source Repo:** https://github.com/cookjohn/zotero-mcp
- **Controls:** Pin an exact version in `.mcp.json`, scope access to a single workspace folder, and use a least-privilege read-only token where supported.
_Based on public adoption and transparency signals as of Oct 22, 2026. Our opinion, not a code audit or security guarantee._Key facts
- Type
- App connector
- Publisher
- cookjohn
- Source code
- github.com/cookjohn/zotero-mcp
- Est. context load
- ~1.1k tokens / turn (~6 tool schemas, 0.53% of 200k context)
- Popularity
- 1.3k GitHub stars
- Last updated
- 2026-10-29
- Last graded
- 2026-10-22
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