List all collections (folders) in your Zotero library. Returns collection keys, names, and parent relationships. Use collection keys with get_collection_items or as parent_collection in create_collection. Trashed collections are excluded by default.
AI agents call get_collections to retrieve information from Mcp Zotero without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool performs a query-like retrieval of organizational metadata from the Zotero library. It has no capacity to modify, delete, or execute actions—it only enumerates existing collections and their properties. The severity is low because the information returned is about the user's own library structure and poses minimal risk even if misused by an agent, as it cannot alter data or trigger external actions.
From the tool's definition Tool lists collections by returning 'collection keys, names, and parent relationships' with no modification capability. The verb 'List' and action of retrieving metadata without side effects directly indicates a read operation.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_collections gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Mcp Zotero, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_collections:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_collections": {}
}
}get_collections is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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List all collections (folders) in your Zotero library. Returns collection keys, names, and parent relationships. Use collection keys with get_collection_items or as parent_collection in create_collection. Trashed collections are excluded by default. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Mcp Zotero MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Mcp Zotero MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_collections: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches Mcp Zotero. Nothing to install.
get_collections is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_collections rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_collections. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
get_collections is provided by the Mcp Zotero MCP server (xevos117/mcp-zotero). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from Mcp Zotero, add the rest of your stack, and see everything your agents can call. Then put policy on all of it.
Free to start. No card required.
13 Mcp Zotero tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.