Claude Code

There are two ways to use zotero-agent from Claude Code.

Option A — the skill (recommended)

The skill ships inside the package — install it with the CLI:

zot skill install               # -> ~/.claude/skills/zotero (all projects)
zot skill install --project     # -> ./.claude/skills/zotero (this project only)

Start a new session, then just ask Claude about your library — no MCP config needed. The skill teaches Claude the safe workflow (backup → sync-off → dry-run → small batch) and points it at the right zot commands. From a git checkout, ./install.sh does the same with --link, so the installed skill tracks your edits to skill/.

“Which items in my To Read collection are missing a DOI? Fill them in from Crossref, dry-run first.”

The skill runs zot ping to confirm the bridge is live before doing anything, and refuses to work around a missing plugin.

Option B — MCP server

Prefer MCP? Register zot mcp as a server:

claude mcp add zotero-agent -- zot mcp

Install the MCP extra first (uv tool install "zotero-agent[mcp]" — a Homebrew install already includes it) and verify with zot ping. See the MCP overview for the tool list and safety notes.

Which should I use?

The skill is the smoother path in Claude Code: it carries the safety workflow and recipe knowledge with it, and zot skill install is all it takes. Use MCP if you want the exact same structured tools across several clients.