### Pyzotero
Works with
name: "pyzotero"
description: "Interact with Zotero reference management libraries using the pyzotero Python client. Retrieve, create, update, and delete items, collections, tags, and attachments via the Zotero Web API v3. Use this..."
allowed-tools: "Read Write Edit Bash"
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Before installing skills in Cursor, ensure your development environment meets these requirements:
node --versionpyzoteroExecute the skills CLI command in your project's root directory to begin installation:
Fetches pyzotero from K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills and configures it for Cursor.
The CLI shows a list of agents. Use arrow keys and space to select Cursor:
Confirm successful installation by checking the skill directory location:
Restart Cursor to activate pyzotero. Access via /pyzotero in your agent's command palette.
We perform automated surface-level scans (Gen AI Scanner, Socket, Snyk) during installation. These checks detect common vulnerabilities but do not guarantee complete security. Always review skill source code and verify the publisher's reputation before production use.
Skills execute code in your environment. Always review source, verify the publisher, and test in isolation before production.
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| name | pyzotero |
| description | Interact with Zotero reference management libraries using the pyzotero Python client. Retrieve, create, update, and delete items, collections, tags, and attachments via the Zotero Web API v3. Use this skill when working with Zotero libraries programmatically, managing bibliographic references, exporting citations, searching library contents, uploading PDF attachments, or building research automation workflows that integrate with Zotero. |
| allowed-tools | Read Write Edit Bash |
| license | MIT License |
| compatibility | Requires Python 3.10+ and pyzotero 1.13+. Web API access needs a Zotero API key. Optional CLI and MCP extras require Zotero 7 with local API access enabled. |
| metadata | version: "1.0" skill-author: K-Dense Inc. |
Pyzotero is a Python wrapper for the Zotero API v3. Use it to programmatically manage Zotero libraries: read items and collections, create and update references, upload attachments, manage tags, and export citations.
Current upstream: pyzotero 1.13.0 (PyPI, May 2026). Docs: pyzotero.readthedocs.io.
Required credentials — get from https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys:
/groups/ in the group URLStore credentials in environment variables or a .env file:
ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=your_user_id
ZOTERO_API_KEY=your_api_key
ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=user # or "group"
See references/authentication.md for full setup details.
uv add pyzotero # Web API client
uv add "pyzotero[cli]" # + local CLI (Zotero 7)
uv add "pyzotero[mcp]" # + MCP server for LLM clients (Zotero 7)
import os
from pyzotero import Zotero
zot = Zotero(
library_id=os.environ['ZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID'],
library_type=os.environ.get('ZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE', 'user'),
api_key=os.environ['ZOTERO_API_KEY'],
)
# Retrieve top-level items (returns 100 by default)
items = zot.top(limit=10)
for item in items:
print(item['data']['title'], item['data']['itemType'])
# Search by keyword
results = zot.items(q='machine learning', limit=20)
# Retrieve all items (use everything() for complete results)
all_items = zot.everything(zot.items())
Zotero instance is bound to a single library (user or group). All methods operate on that library.item['data']. Access fields like item['data']['title'], item['data']['creators'].zot.everything(zot.items()) to get all items.True on success or raise a ZoteroError.| File | Contents |
|---|---|
| references/authentication.md | Credentials, library types, local mode |
| references/read-api.md | Retrieving items, collections, tags, groups |
| references/search-params.md | Filtering, sorting, search parameters |
| references/write-api.md | Creating, updating, deleting items |
| references/collections.md | Collection CRUD operations |
| references/tags.md | Tag access and management |
| references/files-attachments.md | File download and attachment uploads |
| references/exports.md | BibTeX, CSL-JSON, bibliography export |
| references/pagination.md | follow(), everything(), generators |
| references/full-text.md | Full-text content indexing and access |
| references/saved-searches.md | Saved search management |
| references/cli.md | Command-line interface (local Zotero 7) |
| references/mcp.md | MCP server for LLM clients (local Zotero 7) |
| references/error-handling.md | Errors and exception handling |
item = zot.item('ITEMKEY')
item['data']['title'] = 'New Title'
zot.update_item(item)
template = zot.item_template('journalArticle')
template['title'] = 'My Paper'
template['creators'][0] = {'creatorType': 'author', 'firstName': 'Jane', 'lastName': 'Doe'}
zot.create_items([template])
zot.add_parameters(format='bibtex')
bibtex = zot.top(limit=50)
# bibtex is a bibtexparser BibDatabase object
print(bibtex.entries)
zot = Zotero(library_id='123456', library_type='user', local=True)
items = zot.items()
For searching a locally running Zotero desktop app (including full-text PDF search), use the CLI or MCP server instead of the Web API. Both require Zotero 7 with local API access enabled. See references/cli.md and references/mcp.md.
Prerequisites
Time Estimate
15-45 minutes depending on use case complexity
Steps
Common Pitfalls
✓ Do
✗ Don't
💡 Pro Tips
✓ Use when
Use when skill capabilities match your task, clear ROI on time saved, and you can validate outputs. Best for repetitive tasks, learning, and quality improvement.
✗ Avoid when
Avoid when task requires deep expertise you can't validate, involves sensitive decisions, or when learning process is more valuable than speed of completion.
K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills
K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills
K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills
K-Dense-AI/scientific-agent-skills
google-deepmind/science-skills
google-deepmind/science-skills
Keeps context tight: pyzotero is the kind of skill you can hand to a new teammate without a long onboarding doc.
Registry listing for pyzotero matched our evaluation — installs cleanly and behaves as described in the markdown.
pyzotero is among the better-maintained entries we tried; worth keeping pinned for repeat workflows.
Solid pick for teams standardizing on skills: pyzotero is focused, and the summary matches what you get after install.
Useful defaults in pyzotero — fewer surprises than typical one-off scripts, and it plays nicely with `npx skills` flows.
pyzotero reduced setup friction for our internal harness; good balance of opinion and flexibility.
We added pyzotero from the explainx registry; install was straightforward and the SKILL.md answered most questions upfront.
Useful defaults in pyzotero — fewer surprises than typical one-off scripts, and it plays nicely with `npx skills` flows.
Registry listing for pyzotero matched our evaluation — installs cleanly and behaves as described in the markdown.
Keeps context tight: pyzotero is the kind of skill you can hand to a new teammate without a long onboarding doc.
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