# How to integrate OpenAlex MCP with Atomic Agent

```json
{
  "title": "How to integrate OpenAlex MCP with Atomic Agent",
  "toolkit": "OpenAlex",
  "toolkit_slug": "openalex",
  "framework": "Atomic Agent",
  "framework_slug": "atomic-agent",
  "url": "https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/atomic-agent",
  "markdown_url": "https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/atomic-agent.md",
  "updated_at": "2026-08-28T05:40:00.909Z"
}
```

## Introduction

Atomic Agent is an open-source AI agent that runs on your machine and supports local models through llama.cpp. Connect it to 1,500+ apps through Composio, including OpenAlex.
This guide uses Atomic Agent's built-in Composio integration. You need Atomic Agent v0.5.6 or later, your own Composio API key, and a OpenAlex account. See the [Atomic Agent documentation](https://atomicagent.io/docs/?cta_placement=atomic-agent-docs) for installation instructions.

## Also integrate OpenAlex with

- [ChatGPT](https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/chatgpt)
- [Claude Cowork](https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/claude-cowork)
- [Hermes](https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/hermes-agent)

## TL;DR

### How Atomic Agent connects to OpenAlex
Atomic Agent connects to Composio's Tool Router over Streamable HTTP MCP. It discovers the tools needed for your request, and Composio handles account authentication.
Execution and account-connection tools follow Atomic Agent's configured approval policy. Review any approval prompt before allowing an action on your connected account.

## Connect OpenAlex to Atomic Agent

### Connect OpenAlex to Atomic Agent
- Sign up or sign in to the [Composio dashboard](https://dashboard.composio.dev/?cta_placement=atomic-agent-api-key). Copy your API key.
- In Atomic Agent, open the Integrations tab and select Composio. Select API key, press e, paste the key, and press Enter. The tools become available immediately, without a restart.
- Ask Atomic Agent to do something in OpenAlex. It searches Composio for the right tool.
- On first use, open the sign-in link returned in the chat. Connect your OpenAlex account, then return to Atomic Agent to continue.
### Headless setup
Add the following line to ~/.atomic-agent/.env, replacing YOUR_COMPOSIO_API_KEY with your key. Start Atomic Agent after saving the file.

```bash
COMPOSIO_API_KEY=YOUR_COMPOSIO_API_KEY
```

## What is the OpenAlex MCP server, and what's possible with it?

The OpenAlex MCP server is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that connects your AI agent and assistants like Claude, Cursor, etc directly to your OpenAlex account. It provides structured and secure access so your agent can perform OpenAlex operations on your behalf.

## Supported Tools

| Tool slug | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `OPENALEX_ADD_COLLECTION_ENTITIES` | Add Collection Entities | Bulk-add one or more matching OpenAlex entity IDs to an owned collection without duplicating existing memberships. |
| `OPENALEX_AUTOCOMPLETE_ENTITIES` | Autocomplete Entities | Resolve a partial name or title to likely OpenAlex entity IDs before filtering or retrieving metadata. |
| `OPENALEX_CREATE_COLLECTION` | Create Collection | Create a private, single-entity-type OpenAlex collection, optionally with an initial bounded set of entity IDs. |
| `OPENALEX_DELETE_COLLECTION` | Delete Collection | Permanently delete exactly one owned private OpenAlex collection and all of its collection memberships. This does not delete the underlying OpenAlex entities. |
| `OPENALEX_DOWNLOAD_WORK_CONTENT` | Download Work Content | Download an OpenAlex-cached PDF or gzipped GROBID TEI file for a work. Choose the format matching the work's has_content flags. Each call currently costs $0.01, and source copyright terms still apply. |
| `OPENALEX_GET_COLLECTION` | Get Collection | Get metadata for one private OpenAlex collection owned by the connected user. |
| `OPENALEX_GET_ENTITY` | Get Metadata Entity | Retrieve one OpenAlex work, author, source, institution, topic, keyword, publisher, funder, award, taxonomy item, country, continent, or language by its supported identifier. Returns the provider's entity object directly; use select to limit its top-level fields. |
| `OPENALEX_GET_RATE_LIMIT_STATUS` | Get Rate Limit Status | Validate the connected OpenAlex API key and inspect daily budget, prepaid balance, reset timing, and current endpoint costs before expensive queries or downloads. |
| `OPENALEX_LIST_COLLECTION_ENTITIES` | List Collection Entities | List one page of entity IDs in an owned private collection together with collection metadata and page totals. |
| `OPENALEX_LIST_MY_COLLECTIONS` | List My Collections | List private OpenAlex collections owned by the connected API-key user, optionally finding collections that contain an entity. |
| `OPENALEX_QUERY_ENTITIES` | Query Metadata Entities | Search, filter, sort, sample, select, or group one OpenAlex metadata resource other than works, including authors, venues, organizations, taxonomy, geography, awards, and enumerations. Returns one cursor-controlled page. |
| `OPENALEX_QUERY_WORKS` | Query Works | Search, filter, sort, sample, select, or group scholarly works. Returns one cursor-controlled page and its OpenAlex query cost; use the snapshot for whole-catalog exports. |
| `OPENALEX_REMOVE_COLLECTION_ENTITIES` | Remove Collection Entities | Bulk-remove one or more entity memberships from an owned private OpenAlex collection without deleting the underlying OpenAlex entities. |
| `OPENALEX_UPDATE_COLLECTION` | Update Collection | Update a private collection's name or description, or change its entity type while the collection is empty. Provide at least one of display_name, description, or entity_type. |

## Supported Triggers

None listed.

## Troubleshooting

### Why is my API key rejected?

Copy the key directly from the Composio dashboard. Atomic Agent requires ASCII characters because it sends the key in an HTTP header. Remove any extra characters introduced when copying.

### Why are Composio tools unavailable after saving a key?

Check that you use Atomic Agent v0.5.6 or later and that Composio is enabled in your configuration. A "composio": { "enabled": false } setting disables the integration while keeping the saved key on disk.

### Does Composio have a free plan?

The Hobby plan includes 100,000 tool calls per month. Composio-managed OAuth apps have a lower included allowance. See [Composio pricing](/pricing) for the current limits that apply to your connection.

## Complete Code

None listed.

## Conclusion

### Use OpenAlex from Atomic Agent
With your account connected, ask Atomic Agent to work with OpenAlex in natural language. You can connect more apps through the same Composio integration as you need them.
Visit the [Atomic Agent website](https://atomicagent.io/?cta_placement=atomic-agent-site) or inspect the [Atomic Agent source code](https://github.com/AtomicBot-ai/atomic-agent?cta_placement=atomic-agent-repo).

## How to build OpenAlex MCP Agent with another framework

- [ChatGPT](https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/chatgpt)
- [Claude Cowork](https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/claude-cowork)
- [Hermes](https://composio.dev/toolkits/openalex/framework/hermes-agent)

## Related Toolkits

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are the differences in Tool Router MCP and OpenAlex MCP?

With a standalone OpenAlex MCP server, the agents and LLMs can only access a fixed set of OpenAlex tools tied to that server. However, with the Composio Tool Router, agents can dynamically load tools from OpenAlex and many other apps based on the task at hand, all through a single MCP endpoint.

### Can I use Tool Router MCP with Atomic Agent?

Yes, you can. Atomic Agent fully supports MCP integration. You get structured tool calling, message history handling, and model orchestration while Tool Router takes care of discovering and serving the right OpenAlex tools.

### Can I manage the permissions and scopes for OpenAlex while using Tool Router?

Yes, absolutely. You can configure which OpenAlex scopes and actions are allowed when connecting your account to Composio. You can also bring your own OAuth credentials or API configuration so you keep full control over what the agent can do.

### How safe is my data with Composio Tool Router?

All sensitive data such as tokens, keys, and configuration is fully encrypted at rest and in transit. Composio is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and follows strict security practices so your OpenAlex data and credentials are handled as safely as possible.

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