# zotero_search_by_tag

A read tool on the Zotero MCP MCP server.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `zotero_search_by_tag`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-search-by-tag

## Facts

- Tool: `zotero_search_by_tag`
- Server: Zotero MCP (`pypi:zotero-mcp-server`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp.md
- Install: `npx -y pypi:zotero-mcp-server`
- Homepage: https://github.com/54yyyu/zotero-mcp
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "zotero_search_by_tag",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why zotero_search_by_tag is rated Low

Searching a research library by tag is a read-only query operation that retrieves information without side effects. The tool filters existing data in the Zotero library. Even though the description is empty, the tool name and the pattern of sibling tools (search, fetch for reads; zotero_add_* for writes) make it clear this performs retrieval only.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name 'zotero_search_by_tag' indicates a search operation. Sibling tools include 'search' and 'fetch' which are explicitly Read operations. No description provided, but naming convention and context strongly suggest data retrieval without modification."

## Use case

AI agents call zotero_search_by_tag to retrieve information from Zotero MCP without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Zotero MCP:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "zotero_search_by_tag": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Zotero MCP (54)

- `zotero_delete_annotation` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-delete-annotation.md
- `zotero_delete_collection` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-delete-collection.md
- `zotero_delete_item` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-delete-item.md
- `zotero_remove_item_relation` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-remove-item-relation.md
- `fetch` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/fetch.md
- `scite_check_retractions` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/scite-check-retractions.md
- `scite_enrich_item` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/scite-enrich-item.md
- `scite_enrich_search` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/scite-enrich-search.md
- `search` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/search.md
- `zotero_advanced_search` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-advanced-search.md
- `zotero_authorize_local_writes` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-authorize-local-writes.md
- `zotero_export_bibliography` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-export-bibliography.md
- `zotero_find_duplicates` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-find-duplicates.md
- `zotero_find_related_papers` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-find-related-papers.md
- `zotero_get_annotations` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-annotations.md
- `zotero_get_attachment_path` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-attachment-path.md
- `zotero_get_collection_items` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-collection-items.md
- `zotero_get_collections` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-collections.md
- `zotero_get_feed_items` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-feed-items.md
- `zotero_get_item_children` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-item-children.md
- `zotero_get_item_fulltext` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-item-fulltext.md
- `zotero_get_item_metadata` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-item-metadata.md
- `zotero_get_item_related` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-item-related.md
- `zotero_get_notes` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-notes.md
- `zotero_get_page_layout` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-page-layout.md
- `zotero_get_pdf_outline` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-pdf-outline.md
- `zotero_get_recent` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-recent.md
- `zotero_get_search_database_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-search-database-status.md
- `zotero_get_tags` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-get-tags.md
- `zotero_library_coverage` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp/zotero-library-coverage.md
- …and 24 more: https://policylayer.com/tools/54yyyu-zotero-mcp.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=54yyyu-zotero-mcp · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/54yyyu-zotero-mcp
