Channel3 Shopping

Search Products

search_products

Read-onlyIdempotent

Search 100M+ products across thousands of retailers for one product type. Call once for each distinct product type, and send independent calls together. Put relevant constraints in query. Returns up to 8 product cards plus structured product data. The result includes a thread_id. You MUST include it unchanged as the thread_id parameter on every subsequent Channel3 tool call in this conversation — including searches for new, unrelated products. Never omit it once you have one.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`query`	No	One product type and its constraints in natural language (brand, color, material, size, price, gender). Good: "red leather jacket under $200"; "leather golf glove under $40". Bad: "gift ideas for dad"; "cool sneakers"; "golf glove or rangefinder".
`image_url`	No	Public image URL for visual search. Combine with `query` for text + image.
`thread_id`	No	Conversation thread ID. Omit ONLY on the very first Channel3 call of a conversation. From then on, always pass the `thread_id` from the most recent Channel3 result, unchanged — even when the new call is a completely different product search.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`seq`	No
`as_of`	Yes	ISO timestamp of when this result was produced; prices are live as of this moment.
`query`	No	The text query this result answers.
`products`	Yes
`image_url`	No	The image URL this result answers.
`thread_id`	Yes	Conversation thread ID. Pass it back unchanged as `thread_id` on every follow-up call in this conversation.
`session_id`	No	PostHog MCP session ID for analytics correlation.
`server_origin`	No	Origin of this MCP server; the storefront UI posts analytics events here.
`next_page_token`	Yes	Opaque pagination token used by the storefront UI; not usable via this tool.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed4 schema fields changedSep 9, 2026
- removedOutput schema / properties / next_page_token / anyOf
```
Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]
```
- addedOutput schema / properties / next_page_token / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```
- removedOutput schema / properties / products / items / properties / offers / items / properties / price / properties / compare_at_price / anyOf
```
Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "number"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]
```
- addedOutput schema / properties / products / items / properties / offers / items / properties / price / properties / compare_at_price / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "number",
+  "null"
+]
```

Changed5 schema fields changedAug 6, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / thread_id

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Conversation thread ID. Omit ONLY on the very first Channel3 call of a conversation. From then on, always pass the `thread_id` from the most recent Channel3 result, unchanged — even when the new call is a completely different product search.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / server_origin

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Origin of this MCP server; the storefront UI posts analytics events here.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / session_id

Added value: +{
+  "description": "PostHog MCP session ID for analytics correlation.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / thread_id

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Conversation thread ID. Pass it back unchanged as `thread_id` on every follow-up call in this conversation.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

changedOutput schema / required

Previous value: -[
-  "products",
-  "next_page_token",
-  "as_of"
-]New value: +[
+  "products",
+  "next_page_token",
+  "as_of",
+  "thread_id"
+]

First observedAug 5, 2026

TDQS

A4/5.0

Behavior4/5

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

Beyond the annotations (readOnlyHint, idempotentHint), the description discloses key behavior: 'Returns up to 8 product cards plus structured product data' and the critical requirement to propagate the returned thread_id on every subsequent Channel3 call. This adds substantial behavioral context that annotations alone do not provide. No contradiction with annotations.

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

Conciseness5/5

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

The description is concise, with purpose front-loaded in the first sentence and every subsequent sentence earning its place. The detailed thread_id instruction is essential and clearly emphasized. No filler or repetition relative to what annotations already cover.

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?

Given the annotations, output schema, and fully described parameters, the description covers the essential operational aspects: what to search, how to batch calls, constraints, return format, and mandatory thread_id propagation. It is slightly less complete in not clarifying how it relates to sibling tools, but that is not required for a correct invocation.

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 description coverage is 100%, so the schema already fully documents query, image_url, and thread_id. The description's mention of putting constraints in query and the thread_id propagation echoes the schema without adding new parameter-level detail. The baseline of 3 applies because the schema carries the burden.

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?

The description states a specific verb and resource: 'Search 100M+ products across thousands of retailers for one product type.' This clearly conveys what the tool does and that it focuses on product-type search. It does not explicitly name or differentiate from sibling search tools such as browse_products or get_products, so it misses the top score.

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?

The description gives clear invocation guidance: 'Call once for each distinct product type, and send independent calls together' and 'Put relevant constraints in query.' This provides good context on how to use the tool, though it does not mention when not to use it or how it differs from the sibling alternatives.

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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