# get_collections

Get collections in the library. By default returns a flat, paginated list of top-level collections. Use recursive=true to retrieve the complete nested collection tree (all levels) in one call. Use parentCollection to scope to a specific parent\

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `get_collections`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-collections

## Facts

- Tool: `get_collections`
- Server: Zotero (`zotero-mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero.md
- Install: `npx -y zotero-mcp`
- Homepage: git+https://github.com/cookjohn/zotero-mcp.git
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade D, identity unverified
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 0
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "get_collections",
    "arguments": {}
  }
}
```

## Why get_collections is rated Low

This tool retrieves collection metadata from a Zotero library without any side effects. It supports pagination and recursive retrieval of hierarchical data, but performs no write, delete, execute, or financial operations. The blast radius of misuse is minimal—an AI agent could retrieve all collections, but cannot modify, delete, or execute actions. This is a straightforward Read category tool with low severity.

From the tool's own definition: "Tool name is 'get_collections' and description states it 'Get collections in the library' with options to retrieve nested structures."

## Use case

AI agents call get_collections to retrieve information from Zotero without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Zotero:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "get_collections": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Zotero (26)

- `delete_collection` — Destructive — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/delete-collection.md
- `find_similar` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/find-similar.md
- `fulltext_database` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/fulltext-database.md
- `get_annotations` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-annotations.md
- `get_collection_details` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-collection-details.md
- `get_collection_items` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-collection-items.md
- `get_content` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-content.md
- `get_item_abstract` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-item-abstract.md
- `get_item_details` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-item-details.md
- `get_libraries` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-libraries.md
- `get_subcollections` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/get-subcollections.md
- `search_annotations` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/search-annotations.md
- `search_collections` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/search-collections.md
- `search_fulltext` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/search-fulltext.md
- `search_libraries` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/search-libraries.md
- `search_library` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/search-library.md
- `semantic_search` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/semantic-search.md
- `semantic_status` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/semantic-status.md
- `add_items_to_collection` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/add-items-to-collection.md
- `create_collection` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/create-collection.md
- `remove_items_from_collection` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/remove-items-from-collection.md
- `update_collection` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/update-collection.md
- `write_item` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/write-item.md
- `write_metadata` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/write-metadata.md
- `write_note` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/write-note.md
- `write_tag` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/zotero/write-tag.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

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Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=zotero · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/zotero