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Zotero MCP Server: Team Collaboration & Citation Centralization - MCP Implementation

Zotero MCP Server: Team Collaboration & Citation Centralization

Zotero MCP Server: Streamline team research, centralize citations, and collaborate seamlessly. Secure, scalable, and built for academic power users. Your research, unified." )

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✨ Research And Data
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About Zotero MCP Server

What is Zotero MCP Server: Team Collaboration & Citation Centralization?

Zotero MCP Server acts as a bridge between AI applications and your Zotero library, enabling seamless access to research materials and citation management. Designed for teams, it centralizes references while supporting both individual and group workflows. By leveraging the Model Context Protocol (MCP), it empowers tools to dynamically search, retrieve, and update citations, ensuring everyone stays aligned with the latest research assets.

How to Use Zotero MCP Server

Start by cloning the repository and configuring your development environment. Set up API credentials using the provided scripts, then launch the server. Test its functionality with the included tools to ensure smooth integration. For troubleshooting, refer to the dynamic error-handling documentation, which adapts to common issues like authentication failures or permission conflicts.

Zotero MCP Server Features

Key Features of Zotero MCP Server

  • Unified Access: Grant AI tools instant access to your library’s metadata and full-text resources through RESTful endpoints.
  • Real-Time Updates: Automatically sync changes across all connected applications, eliminating version discrepancies.
  • Granular Permissions: Control access levels for team members, ensuring sensitive data remains secure without stifling collaboration.
  • Format Flexibility: Export citations in over 9,000 styles while maintaining raw data integrity for future adjustments.

Use Cases for Teams

Zotero MCP Server FAQ

FAQ

Q: How do I generate API credentials?
Run the generate_keys.sh script located in the config directory. This creates a unique token pair tied to your user profile.

Q: Does it support multi-group libraries?
Yes, by organizing projects under named groups in the server’s settings. Each group can have distinct access rules and shared workspaces.

Q: What if my citation style isn’t listed?
The server auto-updates style databases weekly. For urgent needs, manually add .csl files via the admin portal and they’ll propagate to all connected apps within minutes.

Content

Zotero MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that integrates with Zotero, allowing AI applications to access and manipulate Zotero libraries.

Features

  • Search for items in Zotero libraries
  • Get citations and bibliographies
  • Add new items to Zotero libraries
  • Access collections and items
  • Support for both personal and group libraries

Installation

  1. Clone the repository:

    git clone https://github.com/your-username/zotero-mcp-server.git

cd zotero-mcp-server

  1. Create a virtual environment:

    python -m venv venv

  2. Activate the virtual environment:

* On Linux/macOS:
    
            source venv/bin/activate
    

* On Windows:
    
            venv\Scripts\activate

  1. Install dependencies:

    pip install -r requirements.txt

Configuration

  1. Copy the example environment file:

    cp .env.example .env

  2. Edit the .env file with your Zotero API credentials:

    ZOTERO_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

ZOTERO_USER_ID=your_numeric_user_id_here
# ZOTERO_GROUP_ID=your_group_id_here  # Uncomment to use a group library

You need to set either ZOTERO_USER_ID (for personal libraries) or ZOTERO_GROUP_ID (for group libraries).

  1. If you're not sure how to find your Zotero user ID, run:

    ./find_zotero_id.py

Usage

Running the Server

python src/server.py

The server will start and listen for JSON-RPC requests on standard input/output.

Testing the Server

./simple_test.py

This will run a series of tests to verify that the server is working correctly.

Integration with AI Applications

The Zotero MCP server can be integrated with AI applications that support the Model Context Protocol. See the USAGE_GUIDE.md file for detailed examples.

Available Resources

  • zotero://collections: List of collections in the Zotero library
  • zotero://items/top: Top-level items in the Zotero library
  • zotero://items/recent: Recently added or modified items in the Zotero library
  • zotero://collections/{collection_key}/items: Items in a specific Zotero collection
  • zotero://items/{item_key}: Details of a specific Zotero item
  • zotero://items/{item_key}/citation/{style}: Citation for a specific Zotero item in a specific style

Available Tools

  • search_items: Search for items in the Zotero library
  • get_citation: Get citation for a specific item
  • add_item: Add a new item to the Zotero library
  • get_bibliography: Get bibliography for multiple items

Documentation

For more detailed information, see:

  • USAGE_GUIDE.md: Comprehensive usage guide
  • test_client.py: Interactive test client
  • simple_test.py: Simple test script
  • find_zotero_id.py: Helper script to find your Zotero IDs

License

MIT

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

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