Zotero MCP - Model Context Protocol Integration for Zotero

Zotero MCP is an open-source project designed to seamlessly integrate powerful AI capabilities with the leading reference management tool, Zotero, through the Model Context Protocol (MCP). This project consists of two core components: a Zotero plugin and an MCP server, which work together to provide AI assistants (like Claude) with the ability to interact with your local Zotero library. This README is also available in: :cn: 简体中文 | :gb: English.

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📚 Project Overview

The Zotero MCP server is a tool server based on the Model Context Protocol that provides seamless integration with the Zotero reference management system for AI applications like Claude Desktop. Through this server, AI assistants can:

• 🔍 Smart Search: Multi-dimensional library search (title/creator/year/tags/fulltext/semantic) with boolean operators and relevance scoring
• 📖 Content Extraction: Extract PDF full-text, notes, abstracts, webpage snapshots with fine-grained mode control
• 📝 Annotation Analysis: Search and analyze PDF highlights and annotations by color, tags, and keywords
• 📂 Collection Browsing: Browse and search collection hierarchies, retrieve items within collections
• 🧠 Semantic Search: AI-powered concept matching via embedding vectors, discover related literature across languages
• ✏️ Write Operations: Create notes, manage tags, update metadata, create new items and attach PDFs
• 💾 Full-text Database: Access and search cached PDF full-text content

This enables AI assistants to help you with literature reviews, citation management, content analysis, annotation organization, knowledge base management, and more.

🚀 Project Structure

This project now features a unified architecture with an integrated MCP server:

• zotero-mcp-plugin/: A Zotero plugin with integrated MCP server that communicates directly with AI clients via Streamable HTTP protocol
• IMG/: Screenshots and documentation images
• README.md / README-zh.md: Documentation files

Unified Architecture:

AI Client ↔ Streamable HTTP ↔ Zotero Plugin (with integrated MCP server)

This eliminates the need for a separate MCP server process, providing a more streamlined and efficient integration.

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🚀 Quick Start Guide

This guide is intended to help general users quickly configure and use Zotero MCP, enabling your AI assistant to work seamlessly with your Zotero library.

1. Installation (For General Users)

What is Zotero MCP?

Simply put, Zotero MCP is a bridge connecting your AI client (like Cherry Studio, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop, etc.) and your local Zotero reference management software. It allows your AI assistant to directly search, query, and cite references from your Zotero library, greatly enhancing academic research and writing efficiency.

Two-Step Quick Start:

1. Install the Plugin:
   • Go to the project's Releases Page to download the latest zotero-mcp-plugin-x.x.x.xpi file.
   • In Zotero, install the .xpi file via Tools -> Add-ons.
   • Restart Zotero.