zotero_add_item

What zotero_add_item does on Zotero MCP

AI agents use zotero_add_item to create or update resources in Zotero MCP, usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Zotero MCP environment.

Why zotero_add_item is rated Medium

This tool creates new items in the user's research library, which is a reversible write operation. It does not delete data (ruling out Destructive), does not move money (ruling out Financial), and does not execute arbitrary code (ruling out Execute). The empty description reduces confidence slightly, but the name and context within a bibliography management tool clearly indicate item creation.

From the tool's definition Tool name is 'zotero_add_item' which indicates creation of a new item in the Zotero library. Context from sibling tools shows this server manages Zotero research library operations, and 'add_item' follows the pattern of write operations like…

The rule that runs zotero_add_item safely

PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway: it sits between your AI agents and Zotero MCP, and checks every tool call against a rule you set before the call runs. Nothing changes on the server itself. For zotero_add_item, this is the rule to start with:

{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "zotero_add_item": {
      "limits": [
        {
          "counter": "zotero_add_item_rate",
          "window": "minute",
          "max": 30,
          "scope": "grant"
        }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Questions about zotero_add_item