4,000+ servers built on vurb.ts
Vinkius
Claude CodeCLI
Zotero MCP Server

Bring Reference Management
to Claude Code

Learn how to connect Zotero to Claude Code and start using 23 AI agent tools in minutes. Fully managed, enterprise secure, and ready to use without writing a single line of code.

MCP Inspector GDPR Free for Subscribers
Create ItemsDelete ItemDelete ItemsGet CollectionGet DeletedGet ItemGet Item Type FieldsGet New Item TemplateGet TagList Collection ItemsList CollectionsList Item ChildrenList Item FieldsList Item TagsList Item TypesList ItemsList PublicationsList SubcollectionsList TagsList Top CollectionsList Top ItemsList Trash ItemsUpdate Item

Compatible with every major AI agent and IDE

ClaudeClaude
ChatGPTChatGPT
CursorCursor
GeminiGemini
WindsurfWindsurf
VS CodeVS Code
JetBrainsJetBrains
VercelVercel
+ other MCP clients
Zotero

What is the Zotero MCP Server?

Connect your Zotero library to any AI agent and take full control of your research workflow through natural conversation.

What you can do

  • Collections & Organization — List top-level collections, subcollections, and specific collection details to navigate your library structure.
  • Item Management — Query all items, including notes and attachments, with support for advanced filtering by type, tag, or keyword.
  • Metadata Inspection — Fetch complete bibliographic data, creator information, and publication details for any specific item.
  • Tags & Publications — Access your personal publications and manage tags to categorize your research effectively.
  • Group Libraries — Seamlessly switch between your personal library and shared group libraries using specific IDs.

How it works

  1. Subscribe to this server
  2. Enter your Zotero API Key and User ID
  3. Start managing your references from Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible client

Who is this for?

  • Researchers & Academics — quickly find citations and organize papers without leaving your writing environment.
  • Students — manage reading lists and extract metadata for bibliographies through simple chat.
  • Knowledge Workers — centralize your document management and reference tracking within your AI-powered workspace.

Built-in capabilities (23)

create_items

Use get_new_item_template first to get the correct schema. Create new items in the Zotero library

delete_item

Delete a single item

delete_items

Delete multiple items (up to 50)

get_collection

Get a specific collection by key

get_deleted

Get deleted objects since a specific library version

get_item

Get a specific item by key

get_item_type_fields

List valid fields for a specific item type

get_new_item_template

Get a JSON template for creating a new item of a specific type

get_tag

Get tags matching a specific name

list_collection_items

List items in a specific collection

list_collections

List all collections in the Zotero library

list_item_children

List child items (notes, attachments) for a specific item

list_item_fields

List all available Zotero item fields

list_item_tags

List tags for a specific item

list_item_types

List all available Zotero item types

list_items

List items in the Zotero library

list_publications

List items in My Publications

list_subcollections

List subcollections of a specific collection

list_tags

List all tags in the library

list_top_collections

List top-level collections in the Zotero library

list_top_items

List top-level items in the Zotero library

list_trash_items

List items in the trash

update_item

Update an existing item (Partial Update / PATCH)

Why Claude Code?

Claude Code registers Zotero as an MCP server in a single terminal command. Once connected, Claude Code discovers all 23 tools at runtime and can call them headlessly. ideal for CI/CD pipelines, cron jobs, and automated workflows where Zotero data drives decisions without human intervention.

  • Single-command setup: claude mcp add registers the server instantly. no config files to edit or applications to restart

  • Terminal-native workflow means MCP tools integrate seamlessly into shell scripts, CI/CD pipelines, and automated DevOps tasks

  • Claude Code runs headlessly, enabling unattended batch processing using Zotero tools in cron jobs or deployment scripts

  • Built by the same team that created the MCP protocol, ensuring first-class compatibility and the fastest adoption of new protocol features

See it in action

Zotero in Claude Code

AI AgentVinkius
High Security·Kill Switch·Plug and Play
Why Vinkius

Zotero and 4,000+ other MCP servers. One platform. One governance layer.

Teams that connect Zotero to Claude Code through Vinkius don't need to source, host, or maintain individual MCP servers. Every tool call runs inside a hardened runtime with credential isolation, DLP, and a signed audit chain.

4,000+MCP Servers ready
<40msCold start
60%Token savings
Raw MCP
Vinkius
Server catalogFind and host yourself4,000+ managed
InfrastructureSelf-hostedSandboxed V8 isolates
Credential handlingPlaintext in configVault + runtime injection
Data loss preventionNoneConfigurable DLP policies
Kill switchNoneGlobal instant shutdown
Financial circuit breakersNonePer-server limits + alerts
Audit trailNoneEd25519 signed logs
SIEM log streamingNoneSplunk, Datadog, Webhook
HoneytokensNoneCanary alerts on leak
Custom domainsNot applicableDNS challenge verified
GDPR complianceManual effortAutomated purge + export
Enterprise Security

Why teams choose Vinkius for Zotero in Claude Code

The Zotero MCP Server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS — a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts. All 23 tools execute in hardened sandboxes optimized for native MCP execution.

Your AI agents in Claude Code only access the data you authorize, with DLP that blocks sensitive information from ever reaching the model, kill switch for instant shutdown, and up to 60% token savings. Enterprise-grade infrastructure, zero maintenance.

Zotero
Fully ManagedVinkius Servers
60%Token savings
High SecurityEnterprise-grade
IAMAccess control
EU AI ActCompliant
DLPData protection
V8 IsolateSandboxed
Ed25519Audit chain
<40msKill switch
Stream every event to Splunk, Datadog, or your own webhook in real-time

* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure

The Vinkius Advantage

How Vinkius secures Zotero for Claude Code

Every tool call from Claude Code to the Zotero MCP Server is protected by DLP redaction, cryptographic audit chains, V8 sandbox isolation, kill switch, and financial circuit breakers.

< 40msCold start
Ed25519Signed audit chain
60%Token savings
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

01

Can I search for specific items in my library using keywords?

Yes! Use the list_items tool with the q parameter. It performs a quick search across titles and creators to find exactly what you need.

02

How do I view the subcollections nested inside a main collection?

Simply use the list_subcollections tool and provide the collection_key of the parent collection. The agent will return all nested folders.

03

Does this support shared group libraries or only my personal library?

It supports both! Most tools, like list_collections or list_items, accept an optional group_id. If provided, the agent will query that specific group library instead of your personal one.

04

How do I add an MCP server to Claude Code?

Run claude mcp add <name> --transport http "<url>" in your terminal. Claude Code registers the server and discovers all tools immediately.

05

Can Claude Code run MCP tools in headless mode?

Yes. Claude Code supports non-interactive execution, making it ideal for scripts, cron jobs, and CI/CD pipelines that need MCP tool access.

06

How do I list all connected MCP servers?

Run claude mcp in your terminal to see all registered servers and their status, or type /mcp inside an active Claude Code session.

07

Command not found: claude

Ensure Claude Code is installed globally: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

08

Connection timeout

Check your internet connection and verify the Edge URL is reachable

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