# DataCite REST MCP

> DataCite REST manages Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) and scholarly metadata by connecting your AI agent directly to the global research registry. You can use this MCP to retrieve detailed publication data, track provenance history, search across registered DOIs, and programmatically manage research records for academic pipelines.

## Overview
- **Category:** document-management
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** doi-management, research-metadata, academic-publishing, persistent-identifiers, data-citation, research-infrastructure

## Description

This connector lets you access the central infrastructure for managing research identifiers. Instead of manually visiting multiple web portals just to find a dataset's citation details or check its status, your AI agent handles it all. You tell your agent which DOI you need, and it pulls the associated metadata—including publisher info and affiliations—directly from DataCite. Need to track how that data has changed over time? The MCP tracks every event, giving you a full history log. When developing research tools or building automated pipelines, this is where you connect. Once connected via Vinkius, your agent acts like a dedicated research data manager, handling complex queries and records management through simple natural conversation.

## Tools

### create_doi
Generates and registers a brand new DOI record following the JSON:API format.

### delete_doi
Removes a DOI record, but only if it is currently in draft status.

### get_doi
Retrieves the full metadata set associated with one specific DOI number.

### get_heartbeat
Checks the current operational status of the DataCite API connection.

### list_activities
Retrieves a history log showing when and how metadata records have been changed over time.

### list_clients
Pulls a list of all connected DataCite Repository accounts.

### list_dois
Retrieves a filtered list of DOI records based on criteria like provider or prefix.

### list_events
Finds links between DOIs and other resources, including recorded citations and usage data.

### list_prefixes
Lists the available DOI prefixes used across the DataCite network.

### list_providers
Retrieves a list of registered DataCite members and consortium organizations.

### list_reports
Gets usage reports detailing how often specific DOI records are accessed.

### update_doi
Modifies the details of an existing DOI record, applying changes to specified attributes.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Get the metadata for DOI 10.14454/qdd3-ps68.
```

**Response:** 
```
I've retrieved the metadata for DOI 10.14454/qdd3-ps68. It refers to 'DataCite Content Negotiation' published by DataCite. Would you like to see the full list of creators or the associated resource type?
```

**Prompt:** 
```
Search for DOIs related to 'climate change' from the last year.
```

**Response:** 
```
I found several DOIs matching 'climate change'. Notable records include datasets from various repositories. I can filter these by resource type or provider if you'd like to narrow it down.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
List the events or citations associated with DOI 10.14454/qdd3-ps68.
```

**Response:** 
```
Fetching events... I've found the links between this DOI and other resources, including citations and usage metrics recorded in the DataCite Event Data system.
```

## Capabilities

### Fetch DOI Metadata
Retrieve all known details for any given Digital Object Identifier.

### Manage Records
Create, update, or delete draft DOI records according to the JSON:API standard.

### Discover Data
Search and list DOIs using advanced filters like client names, prefixes, or resource types.

### Track History and Usage
View a complete audit trail of metadata changes and discover related usage events or citations.

### List Infrastructure Details
Get an overview of the DataCite network, including registered clients, providers, and prefixes.

## Use Cases

### Verifying Publication History
A data librarian needs to verify if a specific DOI has been modified since its initial publication. Instead of searching multiple version control dashboards, they ask their agent to run `list_activities` on the DOI. The agent returns a chronological log of every metadata change, confirming provenance.

### Building Citation Maps
A researcher needs to know what other papers cited a core dataset. They instruct their agent to use `list_events` for the target DOI. The agent returns all linked resources and citation links, allowing the researcher to build a complete map of scholarly impact.

### Onboarding New Partners
A developer needs to integrate a new research group's records into their system. They use `list_clients` to verify if the group is already registered, and then they can use `create_doi` once credentials are confirmed.

### Auditing Data Integrity
A team needs a snapshot of all active records managed by their institution. They ask the agent to run `list_dois`, filtering by their unique prefix, generating a clean list for immediate review and auditing.

## Benefits

- Instead of manually checking a web portal for an update, you can use `update_doi` to modify existing publication details directly through a simple chat command.
- Need context on who created the data? Use `list_providers` and `list_clients` to map out the entire network of scholarly contributors and repositories.
- Tracking usage is critical. Running `list_reports` gives you immediate insight into how often certain datasets are being cited or accessed, without logging into a separate analytics dashboard.
- When building research pipelines, use `get_doi` to pull clean metadata for any identifier, then pass that structured data directly to your next script step.
- Don't just find the DOI; find its lineage. Running `list_activities` gives you the full audit trail of every change made to a record.

## How It Works

The bottom line is that you stop dealing with web forms and start talking directly to the source of academic identifiers.

1. Subscribe to this MCP on Vinkius and enter your specific DataCite Username and Password.
2. Your agent authenticates using these credentials and connects the global research data network to your workflow.
3. You simply ask your AI client for a DOI record, or tell it to list all active clients; the tool executes the request and returns structured metadata.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I get the full history using DataCite REST MCP?**
You run the `list_activities` tool. This retrieves a detailed audit trail showing every time the metadata for a DOI was created or changed, giving you the complete provenance log.

**What is the purpose of list_events in DataCite REST MCP?**
`list_events` finds links between a specific DOI and other resources. It's how you discover which papers cited this work or what usage metrics are attached to it.

**Can I change an existing DOI record using DataCite REST MCP?**
Yes, use the `update_doi` tool. You provide the specific attributes and values you want changed, and the agent handles applying those necessary modifications to the live record.

**What if I need a list of all available publishers?**
Use the `list_providers` tool. This quickly pulls a comprehensive roster of DataCite members and consortium organizations registered in the network.

**What credentials do I need to authenticate when using the `get_doi` tool?**
You must use your Member API authentication credentials for full access. These credentials authorize your agent to interact with protected DOI records and metadata. You'll enter your specific DataCite username and password during setup.

**How do I search across many records using the `list_dois` tool?**
The `list_dois` tool allows advanced filtering to narrow down your results. Instead of listing everything, you can filter by specific criteria like client account ID, provider name, or a particular prefix.

**What format must the data be in when I execute `create_doi`?**
The payload for creating a new DOI record needs to strictly follow JSON:API format. This standardized structure ensures that all required fields, like metadata and identifiers, are provided correctly.

**Can the `list_clients` tool confirm my repository account status?**
Yes, running `list_clients` retrieves a list of active DataCite Repository accounts. This confirms which member organizations or clients currently have registered access within the overall DataCite network.

**Can I search for DOIs using specific metadata queries?**
Yes! Use the `list_dois` tool with the `query` parameter. You can use OpenSearch query string syntax to search through all metadata fields indexed by DataCite.

**How do I see the history of changes for a DOI?**
You can use the `list_activities` tool to retrieve metadata provenance, which shows the history of changes and updates made to records in the DataCite system.

**Can I delete any DOI record?**
No. According to DataCite rules, only DOIs in the 'Draft' state can be deleted using the `delete_doi` tool. Registered or Findable DOIs cannot be deleted to ensure the persistence of research citations.