MCP Zotero

What is mcp-zotero

mcp-zotero is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server developed by kaliaboi for integrating the Zotero library with AI systems like Claude. This server facilitates seamless interaction between Claude and your Zotero library, allowing the AI to access and manage bibliographic data and research materials. It acts as a bridge that connects your Zotero collections to the AI, enabling a more dynamic and informed assistance.

How to Use mcp-zotero

To start using mcp-zotero, follow these steps:

1. Obtain Zotero Credentials: First, generate an API key and retrieve your user ID from Zotero. This involves creating an API key in your Zotero account settings and using it to fetch your user ID through a simple API request.

2. Set Environment Variables: Once you have your API key and user ID, set them as environment variables on your system. This step is crucial for mcp-zotero to authenticate and access your Zotero data.

3. Verify Credentials: Test your credentials by making a request to list your Zotero collections. This verification ensures that your API setup is correct and functioning.

4. Install and Run mcp-zotero: Install the mcp-zotero server globally using npm for ease of use. Alternatively, you can run it directly using npx if you prefer not to install it globally.

5. Integrate with Claude Desktop: Configure Claude Desktop to recognize and use mcp-zotero by updating its configuration with your Zotero API details. This integration allows Claude to access and manipulate your Zotero library effectively.

Key Features of mcp-zotero

• Collection Management: With mcp-zotero, you can list all collections in your Zotero library, making it easy to manage and organize your research materials.

• Item Retrieval: The server allows you to fetch items from specific collections and retrieve detailed information about individual papers, enhancing the AI's ability to provide contextually relevant assistance.

• Library Search: You can perform comprehensive searches across your entire Zotero library, aiding in quick information retrieval and research.

• Access Recent Additions: Easily get a list of recently added papers, keeping your research up-to-date and organized.

• Troubleshooting Tools: The server includes straightforward troubleshooting steps to resolve common issues, such as verifying environment variables and reinstalling the server if necessary.

By providing these functionalities, mcp-zotero offers a robust solution for integrating Zotero with AI systems, streamlining research workflows, and enhancing the capabilities of AI assistants like Claude.