Zotero Plugins Atlas
Plugins / AI & summaries

Zotero Safe MCP

by MartinekV · github.com/MartinekV/zotero-safe-mcp

An MCP server inside Zotero for AI agents: they can read your library and add notes, highlights, tags and papers by DOI, arXiv ID or PMID.

Zotero Safe MCP has Atlas grade B (use with care) because it keeps its own tables in Zotero's database. It works with Zotero 7–10. Last checked 6 Nov 2026.

AI & summariesImport & metadata
View source
Downloads a .xpi file (0.2 MB). In Zotero, open Tools → Plugins and install it from the file.
In useAn estimate of how many copies of Zotero have it: Zotero downloads each new version once for every copy that has the plugin, so we count the downloads of its most-downloaded recent release. Rounded. Plugins that update from outside GitHub count low.
3
DownloadsAll-time downloads of its release files from GitHub, counting every update. Installs from elsewhere aren't counted.
3
ReleasesVersions published on GitHub. Everyone who has the plugin downloads each one again, which adds up in Downloads.
1
StarsPeople who starred the repository on GitHub: a rough measure of interest.
0
ContributorsPeople who have committed code to the repository.
1
LicenceThe licence the code is published under, as GitHub reports it.
AGPL-3.0
B
Atlas gradeUse with care
because it keeps its own tables in Zotero's database
Applies to v0.1.0, released 22 Oct 2026Code checked · not yet tested in a live Zotero
What we found in the codeSets the gradeThe worst finding in these three areas sets the grade.
Code transparencyReadable code; not yet checked against the published sourceThe developer uploaded the release file from the MartinekV account. We haven't yet checked whether this file matches the public source code.UnknownWe couldn't check this yet.
Updates
Updates come from this project's GitHub repositoryThe update address offers this version
Where your data goesOnly contacts services we could identify1 address in 1 group.LowLow concern: normal for plugins that do this job. Listed so you know.
Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services
Powerful capabilitiesKeeps its own tables in Zotero's database, and 4 moreMediumMedium concern: worth reading before you install. One medium finding makes the grade B.
Medium concern (1)
Keeps its own tables in Zotero's database
Low concern (4)
Uses the clipboardStores API keys or passwordsRuns code it assembles while runningWorks with files on your computer
Where we found it
Keeps its own tables in Zotero's databasecontent/safe-mcp.js · line 658

Tables: note_versions, owned_objects

const q2 = (sql, params = []) => db.queryAsync(sql, params);
Before you installShown, not gradedFacts to help you decide. They don't change the grade.
Works withZotero 7, 8, 9, 10 · not 11 betaUpdates automatically
Zotero 7 ✓ worksZotero 8 ✓ worksZotero 9 ✓ worksZotero 10 ✓ worksZotero 11 beta ✗ doesn't work
What you'll needNothing extra detectedDetected automatically from its code
No further detail for this area yet.
MaintenanceActive · last release 22 Oct 20261 contributor
No further detail for this area yet.
LanguagesDocumentation in EnglishInterface language not declared
No further detail for this area yet.
We report what we found in the code. Open any area for the evidence.How we gradeReport a problem

What it does

Written by AI from the README

An MCP server inside Zotero for AI agents: they can read your library and add notes, highlights, tags and papers by DOI, arXiv ID or PMID.

Gives agents access with limits: they can change or remove only what they added, nothing is deleted outright, and writes are rate limited. Access uses a token you can regenerate.

What you'll need

Detected automatically

We haven't detected any setup requirements. That isn't the same as none: check the developer's README.

Where your data goes

We found: only contacts services we could identify. 1 address in 1 group.

Zotero (1)
Zotero lookup services

Other plugins that do this

Matched on what they do

For the same job, work with Zotero 10 and graded B or better. Closest match first.

  • A
    Zotero Local MCP Bridge

    Hosts an MCP endpoint inside Zotero for local AI agents to manage your local library.

    Matches “local mcp server” · 411 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
  • A
    AutoAttach

    Matches downloaded PDFs to existing items by their content: DOI, arXiv ID, embedded metadata and first-page text.

    Matches “ai agent library access” · 329 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
  • B
    Zotero MCP for Claude Code

    Runs an MCP server inside Zotero so AI assistants can use your library.

    Matches “mcp server for claude” · 2,829 downloads · Active · Zotero 7–10
    Can use a local model
Compare all 4 side by side
How we pick these

By how closely what they do matches this plugin, using descriptions and the phrases people search with. Copies and forks of this plugin are listed under Forks and copies instead. No plugin pays to appear here.

Forks and copies

No forks listed.

The developer's response

The developer hasn't responded. Developers can reply here, and their reply sits next to our findings.I'm the developer

Ratings and reviews

What people who use it say. This is separate from the grade, which is what the code does, and never changes it.

No ratings yet.

Write a review
Your rating of Zotero Safe MCP v0.1.0

Your review is public, under the name you give, and published with the directory's data under CC BY 4.0. Links are removed. We never store your IP address: a scrambled code made from it is kept for 30 days to catch fake reviews. Every review is checked before it's published; how fake ones are spotted isn't published, so it can't be gamed.

Install Zotero Safe MCP
BUse with care
Before you install: It keeps its own tables in Zotero's database.Read the finding
Compare with similar plugins