pyzotero

# Pyzotero

Pyzotero is a Python wrapper for the [Zotero API v3](https://www.zotero.org/support/dev/web_api/v3/start). Use it to programmatically manage Zotero libraries: read items and collections, create and update references, upload attachments, manage tags, and export citations.

## Authentication Setup

**Required credentials** — get from https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys:
- **User ID**: shown as "Your userID for use in API calls"
- **API Key**: create at https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys/new
- **Library ID**: for group libraries, the integer after `/groups/` in the group URL

Store 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](references/authentication.md) for full setup details.

## Installation

```bash
uv add pyzotero
# or with CLI support:
uv add "pyzotero[cli]"
```

## Quick Start

```python
from pyzotero import Zotero

zot = Zotero(library_id='123456', library_type='user', api_key='ABC1234XYZ')

# 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())
```

## Core Concepts

- A `Zotero` instance is bound to a single library (user or group). All methods operate on that library.
- Item data lives in `item['data']`. Access fields like `item['data']['title']`, `item['data']['creators']`.
- Pyzotero returns 100 items by default (API default is 25). Use `zot.everything(zot.items())` to get all items.
- Write methods return `True` on success or raise a `ZoteroError`.

## Reference Files

| File | Contents |
|------|----------|
| [references/authentication.md](references/authentication.md) | Credentials, library types, local mode |
| [references/read-api.md](references/read-api.md) | Retrieving items, collections, tags, groups |
| [references/search-params.md](references/search-params.md) | Filtering, sorting, search parameters |
| [references/write-api.md](references/write-api.md) | Creating, updating, deleting items |
| [references/collections.md](references/collections.md) | Collection CRUD operations |
| [references/tags.md](references/tags.md) | Tag retrieval and management |
| [references/files-attachments.md](references/files-attachments.md) | File retrieval and attachment uploads |
| [references/exports.md](references/exports.md) | BibTeX, CSL-JSON, bibliography export |
| [references/pagination.md](references/pagination.md) | follow(), everything(), generators |
| [references/full-text.md](references/full-text.md) | Full-text content indexing and retrieval |
| [references/saved-searches.md](references/saved-searches.md) | Saved search management |
| [references/cli.md](references/cli.md) | Command-line interface usage |
| [references/error-handling.md](references/error-handling.md) | Errors and exception handling |

## Common Patterns

### Fetch and modify an item
```python
item = zot.item('ITEMKEY')
item['data']['title'] = 'New Title'
zot.update_item(item)
```

### Create an item from a template
```python
template = zot.item_template('journalArticle')
template['title'] = 'My Paper'
template['creators'][0] = {'creatorType': 'author', 'firstName': 'Jane', 'lastName': 'Doe'}
zot.create_items([template])
```

### Export as BibTeX
```python
zot.add_parameters(format='bibtex')
bibtex = zot.top(limit=50)
# bibtex is a bibtexparser BibDatabase object
print(bibtex.entries)
```

### Local mode (read-only, no API key needed)
```python
zot = Zotero(library_id='123456', library_type='user', local=True)
items = zot.items()
```

{
  "format": "aiskill/v1",
  "skill": {
    "name": "pyzotero",
    "slug": "pyzotero",
    "version": "1.0.0",
    "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.",
    "category": "Research",
    "tags": [
      "research-science",
      "research",
      "documents",
      "python",
      "api"
    ],
    "platforms": [
      "chatgpt",
      "claude-code",
      "cursor"
    ],
    "tested_environment": "Agent Skills convention (SKILL.md) — works with Claude Code, Cursor, ChatGPT/Codex and compatible agents",
    "license": "MIT LICENSE"
  },
  "prompts": {
    "system": "# Pyzotero\r\n\r\nPyzotero is a Python wrapper for the [Zotero API v3](https://www.zotero.org/support/dev/web_api/v3/start). Use it to programmatically manage Zotero libraries: read items and collections, create and update references, upload attachments, manage tags, and export citations.\r\n\r\n## Authentication Setup\r\n\r\n**Required credentials** — get from https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys:\r\n- **User ID**: shown as \"Your userID for use in API calls\"\r\n- **API Key**: create at https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys/new\r\n- **Library ID**: for group libraries, the integer after `/groups/` in the group URL\r\n\r\nStore credentials in environment variables or a `.env` file:\r\n```\r\nZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=your_user_id\r\nZOTERO_API_KEY=your_api_key\r\nZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=user  # or \"group\"\r\n```\r\n\r\nSee [references/authentication.md](references/authentication.md) for full setup details.\r\n\r\n## Installation\r\n\r\n```bash\r\nuv add pyzotero\r\n# or with CLI support:\r\nuv add \"pyzotero[cli]\"\r\n```\r\n\r\n## Quick Start\r\n\r\n```python\r\nfrom pyzotero import Zotero\r\n\r\nzot = Zotero(library_id='123456', library_type='user', api_key='ABC1234XYZ')\r\n\r\n# Retrieve top-level items (returns 100 by default)\r\nitems = zot.top(limit=10)\r\nfor item in items:\r\n    print(item['data']['title'], item['data']['itemType'])\r\n\r\n# Search by keyword\r\nresults = zot.items(q='machine learning', limit=20)\r\n\r\n# Retrieve all items (use everything() for complete results)\r\nall_items = zot.everything(zot.items())\r\n```\r\n\r\n## Core Concepts\r\n\r\n- A `Zotero` instance is bound to a single library (user or group). All methods operate on that library.\r\n- Item data lives in `item['data']`. Access fields like `item['data']['title']`, `item['data']['creators']`.\r\n- Pyzotero returns 100 items by default (API default is 25). Use `zot.everything(zot.items())` to get all items.\r\n- Write methods return `True` on success or raise a `ZoteroError`.\r\n\r\n## Reference Files\r\n\r\n| File | Contents |\r\n|------|----------|\r\n| [references/authentication.md](references/authentication.md) | Credentials, library types, local mode |\r\n| [references/read-api.md](references/read-api.md) | Retrieving items, collections, tags, groups |\r\n| [references/search-params.md](references/search-params.md) | Filtering, sorting, search parameters |\r\n| [references/write-api.md](references/write-api.md) | Creating, updating, deleting items |\r\n| [references/collections.md](references/collections.md) | Collection CRUD operations |\r\n| [references/tags.md](references/tags.md) | Tag retrieval and management |\r\n| [references/files-attachments.md](references/files-attachments.md) | File retrieval and attachment uploads |\r\n| [references/exports.md](references/exports.md) | BibTeX, CSL-JSON, bibliography export |\r\n| [references/pagination.md](references/pagination.md) | follow(), everything(), generators |\r\n| [references/full-text.md](references/full-text.md) | Full-text content indexing and retrieval |\r\n| [references/saved-searches.md](references/saved-searches.md) | Saved search management |\r\n| [references/cli.md](references/cli.md) | Command-line interface usage |\r\n| [references/error-handling.md](references/error-handling.md) | Errors and exception handling |\r\n\r\n## Common Patterns\r\n\r\n### Fetch and modify an item\r\n```python\r\nitem = zot.item('ITEMKEY')\r\nitem['data']['title'] = 'New Title'\r\nzot.update_item(item)\r\n```\r\n\r\n### Create an item from a template\r\n```python\r\ntemplate = zot.item_template('journalArticle')\r\ntemplate['title'] = 'My Paper'\r\ntemplate['creators'][0] = {'creatorType': 'author', 'firstName': 'Jane', 'lastName': 'Doe'}\r\nzot.create_items([template])\r\n```\r\n\r\n### Export as BibTeX\r\n```python\r\nzot.add_parameters(format='bibtex')\r\nbibtex = zot.top(limit=50)\r\n# bibtex is a bibtexparser BibDatabase object\r\nprint(bibtex.entries)\r\n```\r\n\r\n### Local mode (read-only, no API key needed)\r\n```python\r\nzot = Zotero(library_id='123456', library_type='user', local=True)\r\nitems = zot.items()\r\n```",
    "user_template": ""
  },
  "variables": [],
  "install": {
    "steps": [
      {
        "title": "Download & unzip",
        "detail": "Download the .zip package from SkillVault and unzip it. The pyzotero/ folder contains SKILL.md plus any companion scripts, references and assets."
      },
      {
        "title": "Copy into your agent skills directory",
        "detail": "Move the folder into your agent's skills directory — e.g. ~/.claude/skills/ (Claude Code), .codex/skills/, .cursor/skills/ or your project's .claude/skills/ folder — then restart or reload the session."
      },
      {
        "title": "Use it",
        "detail": "Describe the task in natural language; the agent loads the skill automatically when the request matches the skill description."
      }
    ]
  },
  "usage": {
    "steps": []
  },
  "metadata": {
    "author": "SkillVault",
    "source": "https://skillvault.top/skills/pyzotero",
    "exported_at": "2026-11-03T07:45:12.982Z"
  }
}

format: aiskill/v1
skill:
  name: pyzotero
  slug: pyzotero
  version: 1.0.0
  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.
  category: Research
  tags:
    - research-science
    - research
    - documents
    - python
    - api
  platforms:
    - chatgpt
    - claude-code
    - cursor
  tested_environment: >-
    Agent Skills convention (SKILL.md) — works with Claude Code, Cursor, ChatGPT/Codex and
    compatible agents
  license: MIT LICENSE
prompts:
  system: "# Pyzotero\r\n\r\nPyzotero is a Python wrapper for the [Zotero API v3](https://www.zotero.org/support/dev/web_api/v3/start). Use it to programmatically manage Zotero libraries: read items and collections, create and update references, upload attachments, manage tags, and export citations.\r\n\r\n## Authentication Setup\r\n\r\n**Required credentials** — get from https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys:\r\n- **User ID**: shown as \"Your userID for use in API calls\"\r\n- **API Key**: create at https://www.zotero.org/settings/keys/new\r\n- **Library ID**: for group libraries, the integer after `/groups/` in the group URL\r\n\r\nStore credentials in environment variables or a `.env` file:\r\n```\r\nZOTERO_LIBRARY_ID=your_user_id\r\nZOTERO_API_KEY=your_api_key\r\nZOTERO_LIBRARY_TYPE=user  # or \"group\"\r\n```\r\n\r\nSee [references/authentication.md](references/authentication.md) for full setup details.\r\n\r\n## Installation\r\n\r\n```bash\r\nuv add pyzotero\r\n# or with CLI support:\r\nuv add \"pyzotero[cli]\"\r\n```\r\n\r\n## Quick Start\r\n\r\n```python\r\nfrom pyzotero import Zotero\r\n\r\nzot = Zotero(library_id='123456', library_type='user', api_key='ABC1234XYZ')\r\n\r\n# Retrieve top-level items (returns 100 by default)\r\nitems = zot.top(limit=10)\r\nfor item in items:\r\n    print(item['data']['title'], item['data']['itemType'])\r\n\r\n# Search by keyword\r\nresults = zot.items(q='machine learning', limit=20)\r\n\r\n# Retrieve all items (use everything() for complete results)\r\nall_items = zot.everything(zot.items())\r\n```\r\n\r\n## Core Concepts\r\n\r\n- A `Zotero` instance is bound to a single library (user or group). All methods operate on that library.\r\n- Item data lives in `item['data']`. Access fields like `item['data']['title']`, `item['data']['creators']`.\r\n- Pyzotero returns 100 items by default (API default is 25). Use `zot.everything(zot.items())` to get all items.\r\n- Write methods return `True` on success or raise a `ZoteroError`.\r\n\r\n## Reference Files\r\n\r\n| File | Contents |\r\n|------|----------|\r\n| [references/authentication.md](references/authentication.md) | Credentials, library types, local mode |\r\n| [references/read-api.md](references/read-api.md) | Retrieving items, collections, tags, groups |\r\n| [references/search-params.md](references/search-params.md) | Filtering, sorting, search parameters |\r\n| [references/write-api.md](references/write-api.md) | Creating, updating, deleting items |\r\n| [references/collections.md](references/collections.md) | Collection CRUD operations |\r\n| [references/tags.md](references/tags.md) | Tag retrieval and management |\r\n| [references/files-attachments.md](references/files-attachments.md) | File retrieval and attachment uploads |\r\n| [references/exports.md](references/exports.md) | BibTeX, CSL-JSON, bibliography export |\r\n| [references/pagination.md](references/pagination.md) | follow(), everything(), generators |\r\n| [references/full-text.md](references/full-text.md) | Full-text content indexing and retrieval |\r\n| [references/saved-searches.md](references/saved-searches.md) | Saved search management |\r\n| [references/cli.md](references/cli.md) | Command-line interface usage |\r\n| [references/error-handling.md](references/error-handling.md) | Errors and exception handling |\r\n\r\n## Common Patterns\r\n\r\n### Fetch and modify an item\r\n```python\r\nitem = zot.item('ITEMKEY')\r\nitem['data']['title'] = 'New Title'\r\nzot.update_item(item)\r\n```\r\n\r\n### Create an item from a template\r\n```python\r\ntemplate = zot.item_template('journalArticle')\r\ntemplate['title'] = 'My Paper'\r\ntemplate['creators'][0] = {'creatorType': 'author', 'firstName': 'Jane', 'lastName': 'Doe'}\r\nzot.create_items([template])\r\n```\r\n\r\n### Export as BibTeX\r\n```python\r\nzot.add_parameters(format='bibtex')\r\nbibtex = zot.top(limit=50)\r\n# bibtex is a bibtexparser BibDatabase object\r\nprint(bibtex.entries)\r\n```\r\n\r\n### Local mode (read-only, no API key needed)\r\n```python\r\nzot = Zotero(library_id='123456', library_type='user', local=True)\r\nitems = zot.items()\r\n```"
  user_template: ""
variables: []
install:
  steps:
    - title: Download & unzip
      detail: >-
        Download the .zip package from SkillVault and unzip it. The pyzotero/ folder contains
        SKILL.md plus any companion scripts, references and assets.
    - title: Copy into your agent skills directory
      detail: >-
        Move the folder into your agent's skills directory — e.g. ~/.claude/skills/ (Claude Code),
        .codex/skills/, .cursor/skills/ or your project's .claude/skills/ folder — then restart or
        reload the session.
    - title: Use it
      detail: >-
        Describe the task in natural language; the agent loads the skill automatically when the
        request matches the skill description.
usage:
  steps: []
metadata:
  author: SkillVault
  source: https://skillvault.top/skills/pyzotero
  exported_at: "2026-11-03T07:45:12.982Z"