Replace <zcite> placeholder tags in a .docx file with native Zotero field codes that Zotero for Word can recognize and manage. The tool fetches item metadata from Zotero automatically — you only need to provide the .docx file. WORKFLOW — how to create a Word document with live Zotero citations: 1...
AI agents use inject_citations to create or update resources in Mcp Zotero — usually the action step of a workflow, after the agent has gathered context. Every call changes real data in your Mcp Zotero environment.
This tool modifies a user's Word document by inserting Zotero field codes, which is a reversible write operation. It does not delete data (Destructive), execute arbitrary code (Execute), or move money (Financial). The modification is intentional and can be undone by removing the injected field codes or reverting the document.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it will 'Replace <zcite> placeholder tags in a .docx file with native Zotero field codes' — this modifies the contents of a Word document by injecting citation field codes.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access inject_citations 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 inject_citations:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"inject_citations": {
"limits": [
{
"counter": "inject_citations_rate",
"window": "minute",
"max": 30,
"scope": "grant"
}
]
}
}
}inject_citations stays usable, but capped — an agent stuck in a loop can't make hundreds of changes a minute. Everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Replace <zcite> placeholder tags in a .docx file with native Zotero field codes that Zotero for Word can recognize and manage. The tool fetches item metadata from Zotero automatically — you only need to provide the .docx file. WORKFLOW — how to create a Word document with live Zotero citations: 1. Collect item keys: use add_items_by_doi (or search_library for existing items) 2. Generate .docx: create a Word document (e.g. with the. It is categorised as a Write tool in the Mcp Zotero MCP Server, which means it can create or modify data. Consider rate limits to prevent runaway writes.
Register the Mcp Zotero MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for inject_citations: 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.
inject_citations is a Write tool with medium risk. Write tools should be rate-limited to prevent accidental bulk modifications.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the inject_citations 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 inject_citations. 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.
inject_citations 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.
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13 Mcp Zotero tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.