Search items in the Zotero library by author and title (excluding attachments, up to 30 results).
AI agents call zotero_search_items to retrieve information from Zotero MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves bibliographic metadata from a local reference library based on search criteria. It performs no side effects, creates no data, executes no code, deletes nothing, and involves no financial operations. The limited result set (30 items) and restriction to metadata (excluding attachments) further reduce any blast radius. Classification as Read is appropriate with low severity.
From the tool's definition Tool description states it "Search items in the Zotero library by author and title" with results limited to 30. The verb "search" and the retrieval-only nature ("excluding attachments") indicate data querying without modification or execution.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search items in the Zotero library by author and title (excluding attachments, up to 30 results). It is categorised as a Read tool in the Zotero MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Zotero MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for zotero_search_items: 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 Zotero MCP Server. Nothing to install.
zotero_search_items 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 zotero_search_items 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 zotero_search_items. 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.
zotero_search_items is provided by the Zotero MCP Server MCP server (yuogawaiic/zotero-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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