// SCAN REPORT

Zotero Assistant

15 tools. 6 can modify or destroy data without limits.

1 destructive tool with no built-in limits. Policy required.

Last updated: 30 Jun 2026

6 can modify or destroy data

9 read-only

15 tools total

Community server · catalogue entry verified 30/06/2026

How to control Zotero Assistant ↓

TOOL MAP

What Zotero Assistant exposes to your agents

Read (9) Write / Execute (5) Destructive / Financial (1)

Running more than one server? Check your whole stack →

MOST DANGEROUS TOOLS

Critical Risk

The most dangerous Zotero Assistant tools

Destructive · High trash_item Moving items to trash is a destructive operation that removes data from the active library. Write · Medium attach The tool creates or modifies data reversibly by attaching files to Zotero items. Write · Low create_collection Creating a collection is a reversible operation that modifies library structure by adding metadata. Write · Low create_note This tool creates new notes within a Zotero library, which is a write operation that modifies library state.

6 of Zotero Assistant's 15 tools can modify, destroy, or commit something on every call — and an agent calls them with no built-in limits.

POLICY

How to control Zotero Assistant

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Zotero Assistant, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. These are the rules we recommend:

Deny destructive operations

{
  "trash_item": {
    "deny_if": [
      {
        "conditions": [],
        "on_deny": "Blocked by default. Requires approval."
      }
    ]
  }
}

Destructive tools should never be available to autonomous agents without human approval.

Rate limit write operations

{
  "attach": {
    "limits": [
      {
        "counter": "attach_per_hour",
        "window": "hour",
        "max": 30,
        "scope": "grant"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Prevents bulk unintended modifications from agents caught in loops.

Cap read operations

{
  "get_collection_items": {
    "limits": [
      {
        "counter": "get_collection_items_per_minute",
        "window": "minute",
        "max": 60,
        "scope": "grant"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Controls API costs and prevents retry loops from exhausting upstream rate limits.

Create a free account and register Zotero Assistant — nothing to install.
Add these rules — paste them, or build them visually. Tune the limits to your setup.
Point your MCP client (Claude, Cursor, anything) at your gateway URL.

ENFORCE POLICY ON ZOTERO ASSISTANT →

Instant setup, no code required.

FULL CATALOGUE

All 15 Zotero Assistant tools

DESTRUCTIVE 1 tools

Destructive trash_item Move a note or attachment to trash. Only works on notes/attachments for safety.

WRITE 5 tools

Write attach Attach a file to an existing Zotero item. Supports PDF URLs, webpage snapshots, and base64 file content. Write create_collection Create a new collection, optionally nested under a parent. Write create_note Create a note attached to an existing item. Supports HTML content. Write save_item Create a new item in the Zotero library with metadata and optional attachment. Write update_item Update metadata on an existing item. Pass only fields to change.

READ 9 tools

Read get_collection_items List items in a specific collection. Read get_item Get full metadata and children for a single item. Read get_library_stats Library overview: total items, collections, top tags, and last modified item. Read get_note Read note content. Pass a note key for one note, or a parent item key for all child notes. Read list_collections List all collections (folders) in the library. Read list_groups List Zotero groups the user belongs to. Returns group IDs for use with group_id params. Read read_attachment Read attachment content. Accepts parent item key or attachment key — auto-detects type and extracts content. Read search_items Search the Zotero library by text, tags, type, collection, or date range.

FAQ

Questions about Zotero Assistant

Can an AI agent delete data through the Zotero Assistant MCP server? +

Yes. The Zotero Assistant server exposes 1 destructive tools including trash_item. These permanently remove resources with no undo. PolicyLayer blocks destructive tools by default so they never reach the upstream server.

How do I prevent bulk modifications through Zotero Assistant? +

The Zotero Assistant server has 5 write tools including attach, create_collection, create_note. Set a rate limit in your policy -- for example, 10 calls per hour prevents an agent from making more than 10 modifications per hour. PolicyLayer enforces this at the gateway, before calls reach Zotero Assistant.

How many tools does the Zotero Assistant MCP server expose? +

15 tools across 2 categories: Read, Write. 9 are read-only. 6 can modify, create, or delete data.

How do I enforce a policy on Zotero Assistant? +

Register the Zotero Assistant MCP server in PolicyLayer, apply the suggested rules above (adjust the limits to your use case), and point your AI client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL instead of the server directly. Your agents keep the same tools; PolicyLayer evaluates every call against policy before it executes. Nothing to install, live in minutes.

Enforce policy on every Zotero Assistant tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 15 Zotero Assistant tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

ENFORCE POLICY ON ZOTERO ASSISTANT →

Instant setup, no code required.

15 Zotero Assistant tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.