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Traverse the capability spine (books · guides · KSAO elements · jobs)

list_capabilities
Read-only

Traverse the capability spine joining books, guides (capability packages), KSAO-grade elements and jobs. Use min_guides=2 for the cross-cutting capabilities that span many guides, role= for what a job requires, capability_detail= for one package with its elements and books hydrated. ksao_type/canon_component_id are null by design where unresolved — treat null as 'not yet joined', never as 'no link'.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
qNoSubstring match on the element label.
roleNoElements required by this job role, e.g. compensation-analyst.
limitNoCap the rows returned (default 200). `total` always reports the true count.
has_jobNoOnly elements that some job requires (via a career guide).
ksao_typeNoknowledge | skill | ability | other — from a panel validated at 95.1% on gold O*NET labels. 'other' is UNVALIDATED (no gold labels existed for it).
capabilityNoElements taught by this capability (guide slug).
min_guidesNoOnly elements taught by >= N capabilities. 2 gives the cross-cutting spine.
conflictingNoOnly elements where 2+ non-career guides define the same label differently — these need a ruling.
construct_classNoperson-attribute (knowledge/skill/ability — what a JOB requires and a learner develops) | condition-or-outcome (what a capability PRODUCES, e.g. 'Retention & Workforce Stability'). Only ~30% of elements are person attributes — filter to these for 'what does this role need'.
capability_detailNoReturn ONE capability with its elements and books hydrated, instead of querying elements.
has_canon_identityNotrue = only elements resolved to a JobFrame canon component (an IDENTITY, panel-adjudicated). false = only unresolved.
canon_promotion_candidateNotrue = only elements the JobFrame canon has NO component for. This is a real answer, not a failed lookup — these are the constructs to PROMOTE into the canon.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
totalNo
elementsNo
returnedNo
capabilityNo
spine_metaYes
api_versionYes

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. First observed

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and openWorldHint=false. The description adds important non-obvious behavior: ksao_type/canon_component_id are null by design and null means 'not yet joined', never 'no link'. This goes beyond the annotations and clarifies a likely misinterpretation.

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 compact and information-dense: purpose first, then three parameter use cases, then the critical null caveat. Every sentence earns its place and none of the text redundantly repeats the schema.

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 12-parameter, 0-required tool with an output schema, this description gives the essential traversal modes and a critical data-model caveat. It could go further by describing empty-query behavior or parameter-combination semantics, but the schema and output schema cover much of the remaining context.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already explains every parameter. The description adds value by linking min_guides, role, and capability_detail to concrete use cases and clarifying null semantics, but it does not need to restate the schema.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description names a specific verb ('Traverse'), a specific resource ('the capability spine'), and the joined entity types (books, guides, KSAO-grade elements, jobs). This distinguishes it from siblings like list_guides and list_taxonomy, which are clearly narrower list operations.

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 explicit usage patterns: min_guides=2 for cross-cutting capabilities, role=<role> for job requirements, and capability_detail=<slug> for hydrated packages. It does not explicitly say when to prefer list_guides or get_guide instead, so it misses the when-not/alternatives bar for a 5.

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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