MCP Zotero vs StashBase
A side-by-side look at the MCP Zotero and StashBase MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
S
StashBaseKnowledge & MemoryAn open-source, local-first writing workspace where you can write with Claude Code and Codex, drawing on your own sources and past work.49FairAuth: not declaredVerdict: choose MCP Zotero for knowledge & memory work as a local process; choose StashBase for knowledge & memory. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose MCP Zotero when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: API key required.
- You have the keys it needs:
ZOTERO_API_KEY, ZOTERO_USER_ID. - You want tools like
get_collections, get_collection_items, get_item_details.
SChoose StashBase when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Knowledge & Memory domain.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | S StashBase | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Knowledge & Memory | Knowledge & Memory |
| Quality signal | 57/100 · Good | 49/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Not confirmed yet |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | — |
| Auth | API key required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | BYOK (pay the provider) |
| Required env vars | ZOTERO_API_KEYZOTERO_USER_ID | None listed |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 164 | 1,109 |
| Directory activity | 9 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 5 | Not listed |
| Full listing | View MCP Zotero | View StashBase |
Tools & capabilities
MCP Zotero tools 5
get_collectionsList all collections in your libraryget_collection_itemsGet items in a specific collectionget_item_detailsGet detailed information about a papersearch_librarySearch your entire libraryget_recentGet recently added papers
StashBase tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
MCP Zotero
{
"mcpServers": {
"kaliaboi-mcp-zotero": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-zotero"
],
"env": {
"ZOTERO_API_KEY": "YOUR_ZOTERO_API_KEY_HERE",
"ZOTERO_USER_ID": "YOUR_ZOTERO_USER_ID_HERE"
}
}
}
}
StashBase
No confirmed install command for StashBase yet — follow the setup steps linked from its listing page rather than a guessed package name.
Frequently asked questions
MCP Zotero is categorized under Knowledge & Memory and uses a local stdio subprocess. StashBase belongs to Knowledge & Memory and uses an install path we have not confirmed yet. Pick MCP Zotero for knowledge & memory work and StashBase for knowledge & memory.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client. StashBase has no confirmed install command yet — follow its own setup instructions.
MCP Zotero is listed as free. Auth: api key required. StashBase is bring-your-own-key: usage is billed by the API provider you supply a key for. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add kaliaboi-mcp-zotero and stashbase-2 as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, MCP Zotero has a quality signal of 57/100 (Good) with 9 views, 0 installs and 164 GitHub stars. StashBase has 49/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 1,109 GitHub stars.