zotero
openai/plugins · Agent Skill
Manages a local Zotero library for searching, exporting bibliography, and inserting citations into documents.
Jump to install ↓Overview
| Publisher |  openaiOrganization |
|---|---|
| Repository | openai/plugins ↗ |
| Skill folder | zotero |
| Stars | 5,426 |
| Bundled files | 1 |
| License | not specified — check with the author |
| Last updated | May 3, 2026 |
| Links | Skill source ↗ · Repository ↗ |
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Installation
A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file. Pick your agent and run the commands in a terminal (macOS, Linux or Git Bash on Windows) from your project root.
Copy the prompt into Claude, Codex or another assistant: it will review the skill and install it for you.
Install the “zotero” skill from mozgi.io (https://mozgi.io/skills/zotero/) for me. 1. Download the archive: https://mozgi.io/skills/zotero/download If it fails, take the skill folder from the source: https://github.com/openai/plugins/tree/main/plugins/zotero/skills/zotero 2. Read SKILL.md and the other files. Check the skill is safe: no hidden commands, no sending data elsewhere, no scripts doing something other than described. If anything looks suspicious, stop and tell me. 3. Put the “zotero” folder into your agent's skills folder: .claude/skills/ for Claude Code, .agents/skills/ for Codex, .cursor/skills/ for Cursor, .gemini/skills/ for Gemini CLI. Inside the project if we are in one, otherwise in the home folder (~/.claude/skills/ etc.). 4. Make sure <skills folder>/zotero/SKILL.md exists. 5. Briefly tell me what this skill does and offer to try it on my task. If you cannot do a step yourself, tell me what to click or type.
git clone --depth 1 --branch main https://github.com/openai/plugins.git /tmp/plugins mkdir -p .claude/skills cp -r /tmp/plugins/plugins/zotero/skills/zotero .claude/skills/zotero
Restart Claude Code — the skill appears in the list; call it manually with /zotero. For all projects use ~/.claude/skills.
git clone --depth 1 --branch main https://github.com/openai/plugins.git /tmp/plugins mkdir -p .agents/skills cp -r /tmp/plugins/plugins/zotero/skills/zotero .agents/skills/zotero
Codex looks for skills in .agents/skills from the current folder up to the repo root; call one with /skills or $zotero. For all projects use ~/.agents/skills.
git clone --depth 1 --branch main https://github.com/openai/plugins.git /tmp/plugins mkdir -p .cursor/skills cp -r /tmp/plugins/plugins/zotero/skills/zotero .cursor/skills/zotero
Cursor picks the skill up on start; call it with “/” in Agent chat. Cursor also reads .claude/skills and .agents/skills. For all projects use ~/.cursor/skills.
git clone --depth 1 --branch main https://github.com/openai/plugins.git /tmp/plugins mkdir -p .gemini/skills cp -r /tmp/plugins/plugins/zotero/skills/zotero .gemini/skills/zotero
Gemini CLI offers to activate the skill when a task matches — you approve it. For all projects use ~/.gemini/skills.
Read SKILL.md and any companion files before deciding whether to install. Click a file to preview it.
SKILL.md contents
Original author text · read-onlyZotero
Use this skill to operate a user's local Zotero Desktop library from Codex.
Core helper:
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py <command>Resolve <plugin-root> by going two directories up from this SKILL.md file.
The helper is stdlib-only and follows the repo convention of running plugin Python helpers with python3 / #!/usr/bin/env python3; it does not require Codex-specific runtime discovery.
Fast starts
Check readiness in one command:
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py status --jsonEnable the local API and restart Zotero if needed:
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py enable --restartSearch and export citation data:
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py search "transformer" --json
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py export-bibtex --out references.bibInsert a citation from Zotero into a draft and keep references.bib in sync:
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py cite --query "Attention Is All You Need" --tex paper.tex --bib references.bib --marker '<cite>'Workflow
1. Start with status --json. Do not rediscover prefs, ports, or profile paths manually unless the helper fails.
2. If local_api_enabled_pref is false, run enable --restart when the user asked you to operate Zotero. This updates Zotero's local preference and restarts Zotero so port 23119 comes up.
3. Use read-only local API commands for normal work:
inventoryfor item/collection/tag summaries.search <query>for papers/items.export-bibtexorsync-bibfor.bibfiles.citefor inserting a citation into a draft.
4. Only retrieve attachment file URLs or full text when the user asks for PDFs, attachment paths, or full-text content.
5. Treat Zotero library writes as explicit write actions. Before import-bibtex, import-ris, or connector save commands, confirm the exact record/source and destination unless the user's prompt already explicitly asked to add/import it.
Common commands
# Readiness and route map
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py status --json
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py probe --json
# Library inventory
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py inventory
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py collections
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py tags
# Search and export
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py search "BERT"
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py export-bibtex --out references.bib
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py export-bibtex --item-key PXW99EKT
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py citations --style apa --json
# Draft editing
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py cite --item-key PXW99EKT --tex paper.tex --bib references.bib --marker '<cite>'
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py cite --query "BERT" --markdown notes.md --bib references.bib --marker '<cite>'
# Attachments and full text; use only on request
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py children PXW99EKT --json
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py fulltext 2JAZS9U8 --out attention-fulltext.txt
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py file-url 2JAZS9U8
# Writes to Zotero; confirm first unless explicitly requested
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py selected-target --json
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py import-bibtex --file new-reference.bib --yes
python3 <plugin-root>/skills/zotero/scripts/zotero.py import-ris --file new-reference.ris --yesOutput standards
- For inventory/search, return title, creators, year, Zotero item key, and BibTeX key when available.
- Explain the two-key distinction when relevant: Zotero item keys like
PXW99EKTare not the same as exported BibTeX keys likevaswani_attention_2023. - For
.bibexport, return the absolute output path and entry count. - For draft citation insertion, report the edited file, inserted citation key, and updated
.bibpath. - For blockers, name the exact gate: Zotero app missing, local API disabled, port closed, connector unavailable, no matching item, or write not confirmed.
Route details
Read references/local-api-routes.md only when you need endpoint details beyond the helper commands.
Frequently asked questions
What does the zotero skill do?
Manages a local Zotero library for searching, exporting bibliography, and inserting citations into documents.
How do I install zotero?
Open the “Installation” block on this page and pick your agent — Claude Code, Codex, Cursor or Gemini CLI — for ready-made commands that copy the skill folder to the right place. Or copy the prompt from the “Via assistant” tab and let the assistant review and install the skill.
Which AI models work with zotero?
Skills are plain Markdown instructions (the Agent Skills format), so zotero works with any agent that reads SKILL.md: Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot, OpenCode and more. The model loads the instructions only when a task matches the skill's description.
Is zotero free?
The skill is published openly by openai. The skill itself costs nothing — you only pay your AI provider for the tokens you use. No license is specified in the repository — check the terms with the author before commercial use.
Is it safe to install skills?
A skill is a set of instructions your agent will follow, so read SKILL.md and its companion files before installing. Scripts in the skill folder only run if your agent runs them — keep an eye on what it does and do not grant unnecessary permissions.
How is a skill different from an MCP server or a plugin?
An MCP server or plugin gives the model new tools — code that runs and returns a result. A skill gives it knowledge and process: how to approach a task, which steps to follow and what good output looks like. It needs no server or API key.
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