Zoteus: use your whole Zotero library from Claude or any AI (free and open source)

oscardvs

Hi all,

I built a small open source tool called Zoteus and wanted to share it here.

Zoteus lets you use your Zotero library straight from Claude, Cursor, or any AI app that supports MCP. From a normal chat you can:

- search your library, including the full text of your PDFs, by keyword or by meaning
- add papers by DOI, ISBN, PMID, or arXiv
- make citations and bibliographies in about 2,800 styles, built from your own
- add, edit, tag, and organize items (changes ask you to confirm first and go to the trash, so they are reversible)

It is not a Zotero plugin. It runs alongside Zotero on your own computer and talks to it, so your data stays with you. Reading works against the desktop app with no key. For writes and group libraries you add your own Zotero API key.

It installs with one command: npx -y @oscardvs/zoteus
Code and setup: https://github.com/oscardvs/zoteus
Docs: https://zoteus.com

It is still new, so I would really like feedback, bug reports, or ideas for what to add. Thanks!

aguiarla

Could you do a step-by-step for a person that doesnt know a inch about coding?
I really want to try it but even reading all that you have in github, I still dont know what I should do after installed the zip, how to plug it to my claude desktop or what should I do with the Zotero Key.
(would be great to have something like screenshots, of stepss of small vid, somehtign like this for the not great with tech ppl)

milogies

Hi aguiarla,

I understand — the install and config steps can feel overwhelming if you are not used to terminals and JSON files. The good news is that you do not have to do this manually. Since you are already using Claude Desktop, the easiest path is to let Claude do the technical work for you.

Short version: Open Claude Desktop, start a new chat, paste this URL, and ask Claude to set Zoteus up for you:

https://www.logies.de/zotero-mcp-server-beaver-comparison.html

For example, you could write:

"I want to use Zoteus with my Zotero library in Claude Desktop. I am not a coder. Please read this page and guide me step by step, doing as much of the installation and configuration as you can."

Claude can read the page, run the npx -y @oscardvs/zoteus command, edit the Claude Desktop config file, and help you generate a Zotero API key if you need write access. You mostly just need to confirm prompts and paste the key when asked.

A few tips for the smoothest experience:

1. Have Zotero Desktop running before you start. Zoteus talks to the running app.


2. You only need a Zotero API key if you want Claude to add, edit, or delete items. Searching your library, reading PDFs, and making bibliographies works without one.


3. If Claude asks to edit a config file, say yes. It is editing a file on your own computer, not sending data anywhere.


4. If something goes wrong, copy the error message into the same chat. Claude can usually fix it.

If you try this and get stuck, post the error here and someone can help.

Good luck!

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Drafted by Kimi Code, 15 August 2026