APPLICATION × AGENT Claude Code Zotero integration An MCP connection supports Zotero library discovery, reference management and annotation workflows. For Claude Code, 3 routes are explicitly documented by the integration maintainer.
MCP · Live & file workflows
An MCP connection supports Zotero library discovery, reference management and annotation workflows.
Platforms: See documentation
Claude Code · Documented The maintainer documents Claude Code setup for this connection.
Requirements and limitations Python 3.10+ and the server; enable Zotero local API for desktop access or configure the remote API separately.
Local desktop access and remote-library access are different configurations; optional plugin tools need the plugin.
API · Live app
Zotero’s internal JavaScript API exposes library data to plugins and in-application scripts.
Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux
Claude Code · Not documented The native interface is documented, but no setup for this coding agent is established by this source.
Requirements and limitations A compatible Zotero plugin or in-application JavaScript execution workflow.
This API runs within Zotero. External agents need a plugin or bridge and must respect Zotero’s data model.
CLI · Live & file workflows
The Zotero command-line interface exposes library search, reading, annotation and reference-management workflows to shell agents.
Platforms: See documentation
Claude Code · Documented The maintainer documents Claude Code setup for this connection.
Requirements and limitations Python 3.10+ and the server; enable Zotero local API for desktop access or configure the remote API separately.
Local desktop access and remote-library access are different configurations; optional plugin tools need the plugin.
MCP · Live app
A local Zotero MCP bridge for searching libraries, reading attachments and citation export.
Platforms: Not documented
Claude Code · Documented The integration documentation explicitly names this client.
Requirements and limitations Zotero 7 or 8 running with its local API enabled, Python 3.10 or newer and the Zoty Bridge plugin.
The companion plugin is required for PDF attachment and collection assignment.
Compare the actual routes Integration Claude Code compatibility Requirements Zotero MCP Documented setup Setup guide Python 3.10+ and the server; enable Zotero local API for desktop access or configure the remote API separately. Zotero JavaScript API Not documented A compatible Zotero plugin or in-application JavaScript execution workflow. Zotero CLI Documented setup Setup guide Python 3.10+ and the server; enable Zotero local API for desktop access or configure the remote API separately. Zoty MCP Documented setup Setup guide Zotero 7 or 8 running with its local API enabled, Python 3.10 or newer and the Zoty Bridge plugin.
Can Claude Code control all of Zotero? The sources establish the capabilities listed above, not complete application coverage. Check each bridge’s limitations and your application version before starting.
Which setup should I use? Choose a route that explicitly documents Claude Code and matches your environment. Start with the maintainer’s setup guide and a disposable project copy. Shared MCP support alone is listed as an inference.
All Zotero integrations