How to Use the Zotero MCP in Cursor

Q: How do I list my major Zotero collections using Cursor?

You call listcollections. The server immediately returns all top-level collection keys, letting your AI client write code that iterates over every single one of them.

Q: If I want to delete several Zotero items, can Cursor handle that?

Absolutely. Use the deleteitems tool. It handles bulk deletion for up to fifty keys in a single function call. Your code just needs to pass the array of IDs.

Q: Can I find specific notes linked to a Zotero item using Cursor?

Yes, use listitemchildren. Provide an item's key, and the agent retrieves all related child data—notes, attachments, etc.—and injects that structure directly into your working code.

Write code that uses live Zotero reference data inside Cursor.

See Vinkius in Action

Works with every AI agent you already use

…and any MCP-compatible client

MCP Servers - Free for Subscribers

Connect Zotero MCP to Cursor

Create your Vinkius account to connect Zotero to Cursor and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

GDPR Free for Subscribers

Setup Zotero with Cursor

Ask AI about this MCP

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Inject Live Citation Data Into Code

The `get_item` tool lets the agent retrieve specific, real-time item details by key. This means when your AI client generates Python or JavaScript code, it uses actual author names and publication dates from your Zotero library. You don't get mock data; you get live context that makes your generated academic script immediately functional.

Build Dynamic Reference Lists

Use `list_item_types` to find all the available record structures in Zotero. Knowing these types allows the agent to build accurate data models for citation outputs. This is critical because it lets your code handle everything from journal articles to book chapters correctly, adapting the output structure on the fly.

Manage and Filter References Mid-Coding

The `get_tag` tool finds all references matching a specific tag name. If you're building a bibliography feature, this instantly filters your dataset without extra steps. This makes writing code that pulls targeted subsets of data—like all items tagged 'Quantum Physics'—super straightforward for the agent.

Setup guide

Set up Zotero MCP in Cursor

Prerequisites

Cursor installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP Settings

Go to Cursor Settings → MCP or open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P) and search for "MCP: Add Server".
2

Add the Zotero MCP

Cursor will create or open .cursor/mcp.json in your project root. Paste the JSON snippet on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Enable Agent mode

Open Composer (Cmd+I / Ctrl+I) and switch to Agent mode using the dropdown at the top. MCP tools are only available in Agent mode.
4

Verify the connection

Ask Cursor something like "List my recent Zotero transactions." If the MCP tools are loaded correctly, Cursor will call the Zotero tools automatically. You can also check Settings → MCP for a green status indicator.

.cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "zotero-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by Zotero. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

Why Choose Vinkius

Vinkius connects your tools to AI with real-time monitoring and automatic cost savings — all from one dashboard.

Connect Zotero now

Real-time monitoring

Live

visibility into every interaction

Connect your favorite tools to your AI and see exactly what's happening — every request, every response, in real time.

Built-in savings

60%

lower AI costs

Vinkius compresses data between your apps and your AI automatically. Lower bills every month — no configuration required.

Single dashboard

One

place for every integration

Every tool your AI connects to, managed from a single screen. One account, complete control.

Common questions about Zotero MCP in Cursor

You call `list_collections`. The server immediately returns all top-level collection keys, letting your AI client write code that iterates over every single one of them.

Absolutely. Use the `delete_items` tool. It handles bulk deletion for up to fifty keys in a single function call. Your code just needs to pass the array of IDs.

Yes, use `list_item_children`. Provide an item's key, and the agent retrieves all related child data—notes, attachments, etc.—and injects that structure directly into your working code.

The core interaction involves citation metadata, including item attributes (authors, dates), collection structures, tags, and associated notes. The server feeds this structured data directly into your code.

The server deals with reference metadata, which includes the item's primary type, author records, title strings, publication dates, and associated file paths.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

OpenAI Agents SDK sdk-python

Google ADK sdk-python

Pydantic AI sdk-python

Vercel AI SDK sdk-typescript