
Built a local-first writing app that connects to Zotero via MCP (live citations, exportable to word)
Hey,
I built GreenInk, a local-first Word-style editor with an AI-native workflow. Posting here specifically because of how it handles Zotero.
Most writing tools that "integrate" with Zotero just do a one-time import, you sync your library in once and the AI works off a static snapshot. GreenInk connects to Zotero live via MCP (working amazing with Beaver), so the AI can actually search your library, pull the right source, and insert a real citation field, not just a text blob. On export, it becomes an actual Zotero Word-plugin field, so citations stay live and refreshable in Word afterward.
Beyond that, it's a proper Word-style editor (real docx export, pagination, headers and footers), and you can plug in your own AI model (OpenAI, Ollama, whatever you use) plus any other MCP servers you want. Everything runs locally, no account, no cloud sync.
It's free and still early, I'm a solo dev so there will be bugs. Would love feedback from people who actually use Zotero seriously, especially if the citation flow breaks on your library or edge cases I haven't hit yet. (PS: I wanted to opensource it, but unfortunately some licenses of software im using aren't allowing it, but im currently working on a rewrite)
Mac only for now.
Thanks!