Get annotations and notes for specific items with color/tag filtering. REQUIRED: provide one of itemKey, annotationId, or annotationIds (use search_library first to find the itemKey; use search_annotations to search by colors/tags across the library). Returns user\
AI agents call get_annotations to retrieve information from Zotero without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries and retrieves existing annotation data from a Zotero library without modifying, deleting, or executing any operations. It accepts parameters to filter results (itemKey, annotationId, annotationIds, colors, tags) but only returns data. This is a straightforward data retrieval operation with minimal risk.
From the tool's definition Tool name is 'get_annotations' and description states it retrieves 'annotations and notes for specific items' with filtering options. The verb 'Get' and the retrieval-only nature (no modification, deletion, or execution) align with Read operations.
Documented attack patterns abuse exactly the kind of access get_annotations gives an agent:
PolicyLayer is an MCP gateway — it sits between your AI agents and Zotero, and nothing reaches the server without passing your rules. This is the rule we recommend for get_annotations:
{
"version": "1",
"default": "deny",
"tools": {
"get_annotations": {}
}
}get_annotations is read-only, so it stays allowed — but everything else on the server is denied unless you say otherwise.
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Get annotations and notes for specific items with color/tag filtering. REQUIRED: provide one of itemKey, annotationId, or annotationIds (use search_library first to find the itemKey; use search_annotations to search by colors/tags across the library). Returns user\. It is categorised as a Read tool in the Zotero MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the Zotero MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_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. Nothing to install.
get_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 get_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 get_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.
get_annotations is provided by the Zotero MCP server (zotero-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Start from 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.
27 Zotero tools catalogued and risk-classified — across an index of 43,000+ MCP servers.