APPLICATION × AGENT Cursor Zotero integration An MCP connection supports Zotero library discovery, reference management and annotation workflows. For Cursor, 1 route is 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
Cursor · MCP compatible The source names this agent for zotero-cli; compatibility with the separate MCP interface is inferred from the protocol.
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
Cursor · 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
Cursor · Documented The maintainer documents Cursor 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
Cursor · MCP compatible MCP support suggests compatibility; this client is not documented by the maintainer.
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 Cursor compatibility Requirements Zotero MCP MCP compatibility (inferred) 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 MCP compatibility (inferred) Zotero 7 or 8 running with its local API enabled, Python 3.10 or newer and the Zoty Bridge plugin.
Can Cursor 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 Cursor 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