Search and filter annotations (highlights, notes, comments) by query, colors, or tags. Returns user\
AI agents call search_annotations to retrieve information from Zotero Agent without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool retrieves and filters annotations from a Zotero database. No side effects occur—it only reads existing data. The description explicitly states 'Search and filter' without any mention of creation, modification, or deletion capabilities. This is a straightforward read operation on research metadata.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'search_annotations' and description 'Search and filter annotations' indicates querying/retrieving existing data without modification. Returns user annotations based on filters (query, colors, tags).
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Search and filter annotations (highlights, notes, comments) by query, colors, or tags. Returns user\. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Zotero Agent MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Zotero Agent MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for search_annotations: 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 Agent. Nothing to install.
search_annotations 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 search_annotations 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 search_annotations. 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.
search_annotations is provided by the Zotero Agent MCP server (psiQAQ/zotero-agent). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
search_annotations is one line of Zotero Agent's registry record.
The record carries the whole server: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, every tool classified, recommended policy — re-checked continuously.
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