Go MCP server for GitLab: 2 dynamic tools reach 1000+ REST/GraphQL actions. Free/CE, no paid tier.
Scored across 2 tools
The two tools have clearly distinct purposes: one searches the action catalog, the other executes actions. There is no overlap or ambiguity between them.
Both tool names follow the consistent pattern of 'gitlab_<verb>_action', with 'find' and 'execute' clearly indicating their respective roles. This is uniform and predictable.
With only two tools, the set is minimal but appropriately scoped for a catalog-based action system. It is slightly thin but not excessive or insufficient for the stated functionality.
The pair of find and execute covers the full lifecycle of using catalog actions: discovering available actions and invoking them. No essential operation appears missing for this design.
Execute one GitLab catalog action by canonical ID or alias. Always pass params as an object. Destructive actions require top-level confirm=true. Use find first only when action or params are unclear.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| action | Yes | Canonical action ID returned by gitlab_find_action, or a supported compatibility alias, such as project.list, issue.update, or issue.close. | |
| params | Yes | Required action-specific parameters object validated by the selected action schema. Use an empty object for actions with no parameters. | |
| confirm | No | Set top-level confirm=true to explicitly approve destructive actions. Do not put confirm inside params for gitlab_execute_action. |
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| next_steps | No | Optional. Suggested follow-up actions or tool calls for the LLM, contextual to the result. |
| pagination | No | Present on list actions. Use `has_more` and `next_page` to paginate through results. |
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate destructiveHint=true and readOnlyHint=false, but the description adds an important behavioral requirement: destructive actions require top-level confirm=true. It also signals that the tool is general-purpose by saying 'one GitLab catalog action,' which helps set expectations versus a specialized tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three short sentences: the first states the core function, the second gives a required parameter convention, and the third gives the key safety and routing rule. Every sentence contributes new, actionable information with no filler.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a generic action-executor with an open-world catalog, the description provides full operational context: how to identify actions, how to pass parameters, how to handle destructive actions, and when to fall back to the sibling discovery tool. The output schema covers return-value expectations, so nothing critical is missing.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents action, params, and confirm with clear descriptions. The description mostly restates these constraints ('Always pass params as an object', confirm requirement) rather than adding new parameter semantics, but it does reinforce the canonical-vs-alias action concept.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with a specific verb and resource: 'Execute one GitLab catalog action by canonical ID or alias.' It also names the sibling relationship indirectly by saying to use find first when actions are unclear, which distinguishes this execution tool from gitlab_find_action.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description gives explicit usage rules: pass params as an object, set top-level confirm=true for destructive actions, and use find first only when action or params are unclear. This gives an agent clear decision criteria for when to call this tool versus gitlab_find_action.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Search the local GitLab action catalog. Read-only and no GitLab API call. Use when the action ID or params are unclear. Returns schemas, hints, destructive flags, and execute examples.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | Maximum number of matches to return. Defaults to 20 and is capped at 50. | |
| query | Yes | Search terms combining a GitLab domain or resource with a verb, filter, or object name, such as project create, merge request approve, pipeline retry, issue delete, or ci variable. At most 256 characters: a longer query is refused, not truncated. | |
| explain | No | When true, include deterministic scoring reasons for each returned action. Defaults to false to keep responses compact. |
| Name | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| count | Yes | Number of returned matches. |
| query | Yes | Original search query. |
| results | Yes | Matching GitLab catalog actions with schemas and execute examples. |
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint, but the description adds valuable behavioral detail beyond that: it states 'no GitLab API call' (a specific limitation not in the annotations) and describes what the tool returns ('schemas, hints, destructive flags, and execute examples'). This gives the agent a concrete understanding of the tool's behavior and output without contradicting any annotation.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is compact—three sentences, each serving a distinct purpose: the first states the core function and read-only nature, the second gives the use case trigger, and the third lists return content. It is front-loaded with the most important information and contains no filler or redundant details.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's simplicity (read-only, no API call, no side effects) and the presence of an output schema that covers return structure, the description fully equips an agent: it knows what the tool does, when to invoke it, and what to expect back. Nothing essential is missing for correct invocation.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100% and each parameter is already well-documented in the input schema, including examples for query. The description does not add any additional meaning beyond the schema; it just restates the query pattern. Per the rubric, baseline 3 is appropriate when the schema carries the full parameter documentation burden.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's action (search) and resource (local GitLab action catalog), and explicitly notes it is read-only and makes no API call. It distinguishes itself from the sibling gitlab_execute_action by implying this tool is for lookup when the action ID or params are unclear, so an agent can easily tell them apart.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description gives an explicit trigger: 'Use when the action ID or params are unclear.' This clearly indicates when to use the tool, and implicitly that if you have the action ID you would use the execute sibling instead. It stops short of naming the sibling or giving an explicit 'when not to use' rule, but the guidance is clear enough for most cases.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
gitlab_find_action2 fields changedInput schema / properties / query / descriptionPrevious value: -"Search terms combining a GitLab domain or resource with a verb, filter, or object name, such as project create, merge request approve, pipeline retry, issue delete, or ci variable."New value: +"Search terms combining a GitLab domain or resource with a verb, filter, or object name, such as project create, merge request approve, pipeline retry, issue delete, or ci variable. At most 256 characters: a longer query is refused, not truncated."Input schema / properties / query / maxLengthAdded value: +256gitlab_execute_actiongitlab_find_actionGitLab MCP — wraps the GitLab REST API v4 (BYO API key)
GitLab Public MCP — wraps the GitLab REST API v4 (public endpoints, no auth)
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