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Load a skill

load_skill
Read-onlyIdempotent

[read] A skill's whole guide, and the tools it brings. A tools/ guide (e.g. tools/captions) comes with each of its tools' description and input schema, ready to call; a guide for making something (e.g. hooks/guide) names the tools/ guides it needs. Load a tools/ guide before you first use its tools. tools: [up to 10 names] gives those tools' full docs instead. Run a tool directly when it is in your tool list, any other with call_tool.

Tool call template

This tool declares no required parameters. Add optional parameters from the input schema as needed.

{
  "id": 1,
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "arguments": {},
    "name": "load_skill"
  }
}

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameNoA skill (e.g. tools/captions, camera/guide) or a tool, from list_skills.
toolsNoTools to describe in full at once.
loadedNoSkills you already loaded in this conversation (the sent of earlier loads): their text is not sent again. Leave it out in a new conversation or as a helper.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. First observed

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already mark it read-only and idempotent, and the [read] tag agrees with them. The description adds that the output contains tool descriptions and input schemas "ready to call." The schema adds deduplication: previously loaded skills are not sent again. Response size and format are not described.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness3/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

It is compact and every sentence carries information. The terse, fragmented wording ("tools: [up to 10 names] gives those tools' full docs instead") forces careful parsing and hurts readability.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a read-only documentation loader in a large toolset, it explains what comes back and how loading fits the workflow with call_tool and list_skills. It lacks an output description and clear rules on which parameters must be supplied together.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 100%. The description adds that tools: gives "full docs instead" and gives example names. It does not explain how name and tools interact (whether both can be sent, or which is needed, given zero required params). The loaded description has a garbled phrase, "the sent of earlier loads."

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

It states that the tool returns a skill's full guide plus the tools that guide brings. It separates tools/ guides, which include tool descriptions and schemas, from making guides, which name the tools/ guides they need. The opening is fragmentary ("A skill's whole guide") and never says how this differs from list_skills, though the schema's "from list_skills" suggests the order.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It says to "Load a tools/ guide before you first use its tools" and points to call_tool for tools not in the agent's list. That is real workflow guidance. It does not say when to use list_skills instead, or when the tools parameter beats a full guide load.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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