// SCAN REPORT

Zotero

22 tools. 10 can modify or destroy data without limits.

3 destructive tools with no built-in limits. Policy required.

Last updated: 3 Jul 2026

10 can modify or destroy data

12 read-only

22 tools total

Community server · catalogue entry verified 03/07/2026

How to control Zotero ↓

TOOL MAP

What Zotero exposes to your agents

Read (12) Write / Execute (7) Destructive / Financial (3)

Running more than one server? Check your whole stack →

MOST DANGEROUS TOOLS

Critical Risk

The most dangerous Zotero tools

Destructive · High clear_attachment_cache Although the data being cleared is technically 'cache' (secondary copies), this operation irreversibly deletes files from disk. Destructive · High delete_collection This tool irreversibly deletes data (collections and their hierarchical structure) from the Zotero library. Destructive · Medium delete_item Although the item is moved to trash rather than permanently deleted, this is a destructive operation that removes the item from normal access. Write · Medium add_item_to_collection This tool creates or modifies data reversibly by associating an item with a collection.

10 of Zotero's 22 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

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

Deny destructive operations

{
  "clear_attachment_cache": {
    "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

{
  "add_item_to_collection": {
    "limits": [
      {
        "counter": "add_item_to_collection_per_hour",
        "window": "hour",
        "max": 30,
        "scope": "grant"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Prevents bulk unintended modifications from agents caught in loops.

Cap read operations

{
  "download_attachment": {
    "limits": [
      {
        "counter": "download_attachment_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 — 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 →

Instant setup, no code required.

FULL CATALOGUE

All 22 Zotero tools

DESTRUCTIVE 3 tools

Destructive clear_attachment_cache Clear cached attachment files to free disk space. - Provide itemKey to clear cache for a specific attachment - Destructive delete_collection Delete a collection from the library. Items in the collection are NOT deleted - they remain in the library. Su Destructive delete_item Move an item to trash (does not permanently delete). The item can be restored from trash in the Zotero client.

WRITE 7 tools

Write add_item_to_collection Add an item to a collection (folder). An item can belong to multiple collections. Use list_collections to get Write add_tags_to_item Add one or more tags to an existing item. Tags are useful for organizing and filtering items. Duplicate tags a Write create_collection Create a new collection (folder) in the Zotero library. Collections help organize items into hierarchical fold Write create_item Create a new item in the Zotero library with manual metadata entry. Common item types: journalArticle, book, b Write create_item_by_identifier Create a new item by looking up metadata from DOI, ISBN, PMID, or arXiv ID. This is the preferred way to add p Write update_collection Update a collection Write update_item Update metadata fields of an existing item. Only provide fields you want to change - other fields remain uncha

READ 12 tools

Read download_attachment Download an attachment file (PDF, etc.) to local cache. - Only works for stored attachments (imported_file, im Read export_bibliography Export items as formatted bibliography or citation data. Selection methods (use ONE): - itemKeys: Export spec Read get_collection_items Get all items in a specific collection. Returns items directly in the collection (not in sub-collections). Read get_item Get complete metadata of a single item by its key. Returns all fields: title, creators, abstract, DOI, URL, ta Read get_item_children Get child items (attachments, notes) of a parent item. - Attachments include: PDF files, snapshots, linked fil Read get_item_fulltext Get the full-text content of an item (usually a PDF attachment). - Supports pagination for large documents usi Read get_recent_items Get the most recently added items in the Zotero library. Useful for checking what was recently imported or cre Read get_saved_searches Get saved searches (smart collections) defined in the Zotero library. Returns search names and their filter co Read get_trash_items Get items that have been moved to trash. Items in trash can be restored or permanently deleted from Zotero cli Read list_collections List all collections (folders) in the Zotero library. Collections help organize items into hierarchical folder Read search_items Search items in the Zotero library. - Use

EXPLORE

Related servers

Other MCP servers with similar tools — same risk classification, starter policies for each.

FAQ

Questions about Zotero

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

Yes. The Zotero server exposes 3 destructive tools including clear_attachment_cache, delete_collection, delete_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? +

The Zotero server has 7 write tools including add_item_to_collection, add_tags_to_item, create_collection. 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.

How many tools does the Zotero MCP server expose? +

22 tools across 3 categories: Destructive, Read, Write. 12 are read-only. 10 can modify, create, or delete data.

How do I enforce a policy on Zotero? +

Register the Zotero 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 tool call.

Deterministic rules across all 22 Zotero tools. Per-identity grants. Full audit log. Live in minutes. Nothing to install.

ENFORCE POLICY ON ZOTERO →

Instant setup, no code required.

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