CSG Portal MCP Server
Retrieves Lower School lunch volunteer opportunities and slot availability from SignUpGenius for Columbus School for Girls
Stores secure credentials and cached data with encryption for the CSG Veracross portal integration
Click on "Install Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@CSG Portal MCP ServerFind all students in Form V for the upcoming school year"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
CSG Portal MCP Server
β οΈ UNOFFICIAL PROJECT - This is an unofficial, community-created MCP server for Columbus School for Girls Veracross portal integration. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by Columbus School for Girls or Veracross.
π REQUIREMENTS - This server requires a valid Veracross portal user account (student, parent, or staff) with active access to the CSG portal at https://portals.veracross.com/csg
A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides secure access to directory search, calendar events, and other school portal features through Claude Desktop and other MCP-compatible AI assistants.
Features
π Secure Browser Authentication - No credentials stored in Claude, login via your browser
π Directory Search - Find students, parents, and staff with contact information
π Calendar Events - Search upcoming school events and activities
π½οΈ Lower School Lunch Volunteers - Check volunteer slots and availability
π₯ Multi-User Support - Isolated data storage per user
β‘ Smart Caching - 24-hour cache for improved performance
π« CSG-Specific - Tailored for Columbus School for Girls grade system (Forms I-XII)
Related MCP server: canvas_mcp
Installation
For Claude Desktop Users
Install the MCP server globally:
npm install -g @bradgriffith/csg-portal-mcpAdd to your Claude Desktop MCP configuration:
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"csg-portal": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@bradgriffith/csg-portal-mcp@latest"]
}
}
}Restart Claude Desktop
Quick Start (No Installation)
You can also use it directly without installation:
{
"mcpServers": {
"csg-portal": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@bradgriffith/csg-portal-mcp@latest"]
}
}
}Prerequisites
π Valid Veracross Account Required - You must have an active Veracross account with access to the Columbus School for Girls portal. This includes:
Current students with portal access
Parents/guardians of current students
Faculty and staff members
Alumni (if they have retained portal access)
If you don't have access to the CSG Veracross portal, this server will not work for you.
User Setup (Claude Desktop)
First Time Setup
After installing the MCP server, you can start using it immediately! Just send prompts to Claude and include your email address.
Authentication (one-time setup): Simply ask Claude to log you in:
"Please log me in to the CSG portal using my email: parent@example.com"A web browser window will automatically open with a secure login form
Enter your regular CSG Veracross username and password
The page will show "Authentication successful!" when complete
The browser window will close automatically
Your credentials are never stored in Claude - only secure session tokens
Set Default User (optional but recommended):
"Set me as the default user with email: parent@example.com"This lets you make requests without including your email every time
Example Prompts
Once authenticated, try these example prompts:
Directory Search:
"Find all families with the last name Johnson in the CSG directory"
"Search for parents in New Albany, Ohio"
"Find all students in Form VI"
"Look up contact information for families in the 43054 zip code"Calendar Events:
"What school events are coming up in the next month?"
"Show me all upcoming Middle School events"
"Are there any events this week?"
"What's on the school calendar for the next 3 months?"Lower School Lunch Volunteers:
"Check the Lower School lunch volunteer slots for this week"
"Are there any open lunch volunteer positions for next week?"
"Show me lunch volunteer slots for August 27, 2025"
"Are there any available volunteer spots on Wednesday?"
"Show me days this week that need lunch volunteers"User Management:
"Check if I'm still authenticated with the CSG portal"
"Clear my stored credentials"Developer Setup
Note: End users don't need this section - it's only for developers who want to modify or contribute to the project.
Required Environment Variables
Create a .env file or set environment variables:
# MongoDB connection (required for production use)
MONGODB_URI=mongodb://localhost:27017
MONGODB_DATABASE=csg_portal
# Encryption key for secure credential storage
ENCRYPTION_MASTER_KEY=your-secure-encryption-key-here
# Veracross portal URL (optional, defaults to CSG)
VERACROSS_BASE_URL=https://portals.veracross.com/csg
# SignUpGenius URLs (optional, defaults to current CSG URLs)
LS_LUNCH_SIGNUP_URL=https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C084BADAA2BA2FFC43-57722061-lslunch#/MongoDB Setup
The server requires MongoDB for secure credential and cache storage:
Local Development: Install MongoDB locally
Production: Use MongoDB Atlas or similar cloud service
Available Tools
login
Log in to the CSG Veracross portal via secure browser authentication. No credentials are stored in Claude.
search_directory
Search the school directory for students, parents, and staff.
Parameters:
firstName,lastName,city,postalCode,gradeLevelGrade Levels: Use CSG format like "VI", "X", "3/4 Yr Olds", etc.
school_events
Check upcoming school calendar events.
Default: Searches next 3 months
Auto-fallback: Extends to 12 months if no events found
Parameters:
searchMonths,refresh
lunch_volunteers
Check Lower School lunch volunteer opportunities.
Shows: Only days with open volunteer slots (filters out fully booked days)
Positions: Salad/deli and Soup volunteer roles
Times: All shifts are 10:45am - 11:45am in the dining hall
Source: SignUpGenius (no Veracross authentication required)
Parameters:
refresh,date(YYYY-MM-DD),week("this", "next", or date)Date Filtering: Can search specific dates or weeks (Sunday-Saturday)
Smart Filtering: Only displays days that need volunteers (0 or 1 volunteer signed up)
set_default_user
Set a default user email to avoid entering it repeatedly.
check_authentication
Verify if you have a valid stored authentication session.
Security
No Credential Storage in Claude: Authentication happens via secure browser flow
Encrypted Storage: All credentials encrypted with AES-256-CBC
User Isolation: Each user's data is completely isolated using email-based hashing
Environment Variables: Sensitive configuration via environment variables only
CSG Grade System
The server understands Columbus School for Girls' Form system:
PYC: "3/4 Yr Olds", "4/5 Yr Olds"
Lower School: Forms I, II, III, IV, V
Middle School: Forms VI, VII, VIII
Upper School: Forms IX, X, XI, XII
Development
Local Development
# Clone and install
git clone https://github.com/bradgriffith/csg-portal-mcp.git
cd csg-portal-mcp
npm install
# Set up environment
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env with your settings
# Build and run
npm run build
npm startContributing
Fork the repository
Create your feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)Commit your changes (
git commit -m 'Add some amazing feature')Push to the branch (
git push origin feature/amazing-feature)Open a Pull Request
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
"No user email provided"
Use
set_default_usertool first, or provideuserEmailparameter
"Browser authentication required"
Use
authenticate_browsertool to log in via your browser
"Calendar search failed"
Check your authentication status with
check_authenticationTry the
refresh: trueparameter to bypass cache
"Directory search failed"
Verify you're authenticated and have portal access
Check that grade levels use correct CSG format
Debug Mode
Set NODE_ENV=development for additional logging output.
Disclaimer
This is an unofficial project created by a member of the CSG community. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by:
Columbus School for Girls
Veracross, Inc.
Anthropic (makers of Claude)
Use at your own discretion. The author is not responsible for any issues that may arise from using this software.
License
MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.
Support
Issues: GitHub Issues
Email: brad@bradgriffith.com
Note: For official CSG IT support, please contact the school directly. This unofficial project is not supported by CSG IT services.
Built by the CSG community, for the CSG community π«
Available Tools
8 toolscheck_authenticationA
Check if you have a valid stored authentication session.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| userEmail | No | Your email address to check authentication status for (optional if you have a default user set) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. It states the tool checks authentication status but does not disclose behavioral traits such as what 'valid' entails (e.g., token expiration, permissions), response format, error handling, or rate limits. This leaves significant gaps for an agent to understand the tool's behavior.
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 a single, clear sentence that directly states the tool's purpose without unnecessary words. It is front-loaded and efficiently communicates the essential information, earning its place with zero waste.
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 no annotations and no output schema, the description is incomplete. It lacks details on what constitutes a 'valid' session, the return format (e.g., boolean, status object), or error cases. For an authentication-related tool, this leaves critical context missing for an agent to use it effectively.
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%, with the parameter 'userEmail' fully documented in the schema. The description does not add any parameter-specific information beyond what the schema provides, such as default user behavior details. Baseline 3 is appropriate as the schema handles parameter semantics adequately.
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 specific action ('Check') and resource ('valid stored authentication session'), distinguishing it from siblings like login (authenticate), logout (end session), and clear_credentials (remove stored data). It precisely defines the tool's function without ambiguity.
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 implies usage context ('if you have a valid stored authentication session'), suggesting it should be used to verify existing authentication. However, it does not explicitly state when not to use it (e.g., vs. login for initial authentication) or name alternatives, though the sibling list provides clear options.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
clear_credentialsB
Clear stored login credentials
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No parameters | |||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. 'Clear stored login credentials' implies a destructive operation that removes authentication data, but it doesn't specify scope (e.g., current session only, all users), permanence, side effects, or required permissions. For a security-sensitive tool with zero annotation coverage, this is inadequate behavioral disclosure.
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 a single, efficient sentence with zero waste. It's front-loaded and directly communicates the core function without unnecessary elaboration. Perfectly concise for a simple tool.
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 (0 parameters, no output schema) and lack of annotations, the description is minimally adequate. It states what the tool does but lacks important context like behavioral details (e.g., what 'clear' entails) and usage guidelines. For a credential management tool, more completeness would be beneficial.
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?
The tool has 0 parameters, and schema description coverage is 100% (empty schema). The description doesn't need to explain parameters, so it meets baseline expectations. No additional parameter semantics are required or provided.
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 'Clear stored login credentials' clearly states the action (clear) and target (stored login credentials). It's specific and unambiguous, though it doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like logout (which might have different semantics). The purpose is immediately understandable.
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 provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like logout or check_authentication. It doesn't mention prerequisites (e.g., must be logged in first) or typical use cases (e.g., security cleanup, switching users). The agent receives no contextual usage instructions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
loginA
Log in to the CSG Veracross portal. Opens your browser for secure authentication - your credentials never appear in Claude.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| userEmail | No | Your email address for session isolation and identification (optional if you have a default user set) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses key behavioral traits: it opens a browser for secure authentication and ensures credentials are not exposed in Claude. This covers safety and interaction method, though it lacks details on session persistence or error handling.
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 front-loaded with the core purpose in the first sentence, followed by a clarifying detail about browser interaction and security. Every sentence adds value without redundancy, making it efficient and well-structured.
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 no annotations and no output schema, the description adequately covers the tool's purpose and key behavior (browser-based auth, credential safety). However, it doesn't address potential outcomes like success/failure states or session management, leaving some gaps for a login tool.
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%, so the schema already documents the optional 'userEmail' parameter. The description doesn't add meaning beyond the schema, such as explaining why email is used for 'session isolation and identification'. Baseline 3 is appropriate as the schema handles parameter documentation.
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 action ('Log in') and target ('CSG Veracross portal'), specifying it opens a browser for authentication. It distinguishes from siblings like 'check_authentication' by focusing on initiating login. However, it doesn't explicitly differentiate from 'set_default_user' which might relate to user setup.
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 implies usage for authentication when needed, but doesn't explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'check_authentication' (to verify status) or 'clear_credentials' (to remove stored data). No guidance on prerequisites or exclusions is provided.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
logoutA
Logout from Veracross portal and clear session
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No parameters | |||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses the core behavioral trait (clearing session), but doesn't mention potential side effects (e.g., requiring re-authentication for subsequent operations), error conditions, or confirmation of success. It covers basic behavior but lacks depth for a mutation 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?
The description is a single, efficient sentence with no wasted words. It front-loads the core action ('Logout') and immediately specifies the target and effect, making it easy to parse and understand quickly.
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 zero-parameter mutation tool with no annotations and no output schema, the description is minimally adequate. It states what the tool does but lacks details on behavioral nuances (e.g., what 'clear session' entails operationally, any return values, or error handling), leaving gaps in understanding the full impact.
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?
The tool has zero parameters with 100% schema description coverage, so no parameter documentation is needed. The description appropriately doesn't discuss parameters, focusing instead on the tool's action, which aligns with the baseline expectation for parameterless tools.
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 specific action ('Logout from Veracross portal') and the effect ('clear session'), using precise verbs and specifying the target resource. It distinguishes itself from siblings like 'clear_credentials' by focusing on active session termination rather than credential management.
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 implies usage context (when logged into the portal and needing to end a session), but doesn't explicitly state when to use this versus alternatives like 'clear_credentials' or provide exclusion scenarios. It offers clear context but lacks explicit comparative guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
lunch_volunteersA
Check Lower School lunch volunteer opportunities. Shows only days that need volunteers (open slots) for Salad/deli and Soup positions at 10:45am-11:45am in the dining hall.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| refresh | No | Get the latest volunteer data (bypasses cache) | |
| date | No | Check a specific date in YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g., "2025-08-27") | |
| week | No | Check a week: "this" (current Sunday-Saturday), "next" (next Sunday-Saturday), or specific date to find week containing that date |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It describes what the tool returns ('Shows only days that need volunteers'), which is helpful. However, it doesn't mention important behavioral aspects like whether this requires authentication (though sibling tools suggest auth capabilities), rate limits, error conditions, or response format. The description adds some value but leaves significant gaps for a tool with no annotation coverage.
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 perfectly concise and front-loaded: a single sentence that immediately states the tool's purpose with zero wasted words. Every element (checking, resource, filtering criteria) earns its place and contributes to understanding. No unnecessary elaboration or repetition.
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 has no annotations and no output schema, the description provides adequate basic information about purpose and filtering. However, for a tool that presumably returns data about volunteer opportunities, the lack of output schema means the description should ideally mention what format the results come in (e.g., list of dates, structured data). The description is complete enough for basic understanding but has gaps given the context.
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%, so the schema already fully documents all three parameters. The description doesn't add any parameter-specific information beyond what's in the schema (like explaining how 'date' and 'week' parameters interact or providing examples beyond the schema's examples). The baseline of 3 is appropriate when the schema does all the parameter documentation work.
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 specific action ('Check'), resource ('Lower School lunch volunteer opportunities'), and scope ('only days that need volunteers for Salad/deli and Soup positions at 10:45am-11:45am in the dining hall'). It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like 'school_events' or 'search_directory' by focusing specifically on volunteer opportunities with precise time and position details.
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 provides clear context about when to use this tool: when checking for open volunteer slots in specific positions and times. However, it doesn't explicitly state when NOT to use it or mention alternatives among sibling tools (e.g., whether 'school_events' might overlap). The guidance is contextually clear but lacks explicit exclusions or comparisons.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
school_eventsA
Check upcoming school calendar events. By default searches the next 3 months, automatically extends to 12 months if no events found.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| searchMonths | No | Number of months to search ahead (default: 3, fallback: 12) | |
| refresh | No | Set to true to bypass cache and fetch fresh results | |
| userEmail | No | User email address for authentication (optional if you have a default user set) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure and does so effectively. It reveals key behavioral traits: the default search period (3 months), the automatic extension logic (to 12 months if no events found), and caching behavior (implied by the 'refresh' parameter). This goes beyond the input schema to explain operational logic, though it could mention authentication needs more explicitly.
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 extremely concise and well-structured in a single sentence, front-loading the core purpose and efficiently adding operational details without any wasted words. Every part of the sentence serves a clear purpose, making it easy for an agent to parse and understand quickly.
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 moderate complexity (3 parameters, no annotations, no output schema), the description is adequate but incomplete. It covers the purpose and key behavior but lacks details on output format (e.g., what events look like), error handling, or authentication requirements beyond the 'userEmail' parameter. This leaves gaps for an agent to use the tool effectively in all contexts.
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?
The schema description coverage is 100%, so the input schema already documents all three parameters thoroughly. The description adds minimal value beyond the schema by implicitly referencing the 'searchMonths' default and fallback, but it doesn't provide additional semantic context for parameters like 'userEmail' or 'refresh'. This meets the baseline for high schema coverage.
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 purpose with a specific verb ('Check') and resource ('upcoming school calendar events'), making it immediately understandable. However, it doesn't explicitly differentiate this tool from potential sibling tools like 'search_directory' or 'lunch_volunteers' that might also involve school-related data, which prevents a perfect score.
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 provides implied usage guidance by mentioning the default search period and fallback behavior, which helps an agent understand when to use it for event queries. However, it lacks explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives (e.g., compared to 'search_directory' for non-event data) or any prerequisites, leaving room for ambiguity.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_directoryB
Search the CSG directory for students, parents, and staff. Results are cached for 24 hours by default. CSG uses Forms (not grades) with 4 schools: PYC (ages 3/4, 4/5), Lower School (Forms I-V), Middle School (Forms VI-VIII), Upper School (Forms IX-XII).
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| firstName | No | First name to search for | |
| lastName | No | Last name to search for | |
| city | No | City to search for | |
| postalCode | No | Postal code to search for | |
| gradeLevel | No | Form level to search for. Use CSG format: "3/4 Yr Olds", "4/5 Yr Olds", or Roman numerals "I", "II", "III", "IV", "V" (Lower School), "VI", "VII", "VIII" (Middle School), "IX", "X", "XI", "XII" (Upper School) | |
| refresh | No | Set to true to bypass cache and fetch fresh results | |
| userEmail | No | User email address for authentication and data isolation (optional if you have a default user set) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses caching behavior (24-hour default) and mentions CSG's school structure, which adds useful context. However, it lacks critical behavioral details: no information on permissions required, rate limits, error handling, or what the search returns (e.g., result format, pagination). The caching detail is helpful but insufficient for full transparency.
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 reasonably concise with two sentences, though the second sentence includes extraneous background about CSG's Forms and schools that doesn't directly aid tool selection. It's front-loaded with the core purpose, but could be tighter by focusing only on tool-relevant 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 no annotations and no output schema, the description is incomplete for a 7-parameter search tool. It misses key contextual elements: what the output looks like (e.g., list of people with fields), authentication requirements hinted by the userEmail parameter, and how search logic works (e.g., partial matches). The caching and school info are helpful but don't compensate for these gaps.
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%, so the schema already documents all 7 parameters thoroughly. The description adds no parameter-specific information beyond what's in the schemaβit doesn't explain how parameters interact (e.g., combining firstName and lastName) or provide examples. Baseline 3 is appropriate since the schema does the heavy lifting, but the description doesn't compensate with additional insights.
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 searches the CSG directory for students, parents, and staff, providing a specific verb (search) and resource (directory). It distinguishes from siblings like 'check_authentication' or 'school_events' by focusing on directory lookup, though it doesn't explicitly differentiate from potential similar search tools that might exist.
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 provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It mentions CSG uses Forms instead of grades and lists schools, but this is background info, not usage instructions. There's no mention of prerequisites, when not to use it, or how it relates to sibling tools like 'check_authentication' for auth needs.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
set_default_userA
Set a default user email so you don't need to provide it every time. This email will be used for all authentication and directory searches.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| userEmail | Yes | Your email address to set as the default user |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses that this sets a persistent default affecting 'all authentication and directory searches,' which is useful behavioral context. However, it doesn't mention security implications, permission requirements, or whether the change is reversible, leaving gaps for a mutation 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?
The description is perfectly concise with two sentences that are front-loaded and waste no words. The first sentence states the purpose and benefit, while the second explains the scope of effect, with every element earning its place.
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 moderate complexity (mutation with security implications), no annotations, and no output schema, the description is adequate but incomplete. It covers the core purpose and usage context but lacks details on behavioral traits like error handling or return values, leaving room for improvement.
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%, so the schema already documents the single parameter 'userEmail' as 'Your email address to set as the default user.' The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond this, meeting the baseline for high schema coverage without extra value.
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 purpose with a specific verb ('Set') and resource ('default user email'), explaining it configures persistent authentication settings. It distinguishes from siblings like 'login' (temporary session) and 'check_authentication' (verification) by focusing on default configuration.
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 provides clear context for when to use this tool: 'so you don't need to provide it every time' and 'used for all authentication and directory searches.' However, it doesn't explicitly state when NOT to use it or name alternatives like 'login' for temporary sessions, missing full sibling differentiation.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
8 tool updates
v1.0.0- First observed
check_authentication - First observed
clear_credentials - First observed
login - First observed
logout - First observed
lunch_volunteers - First observed
school_events - First observed
search_directory - First observed
set_default_user
TDQS
Each tool has a clearly distinct purpose with no overlap. Authentication tools (check_authentication, clear_credentials, login, logout, set_default_user) handle different aspects of session management, while content tools (lunch_volunteers, school_events, search_directory) target specific school resources. The separation between authentication and content retrieval is particularly clear.
All tools follow a consistent snake_case verb_noun pattern throughout. The naming convention is predictable and readable, with clear action-object relationships (e.g., check_authentication, search_directory, set_default_user). There are no deviations in style or structure across the tool set.
With 8 tools, this server is well-scoped for a school portal interface. The count balances authentication management (5 tools) with content access (3 tools), providing comprehensive coverage without bloat. Each tool serves a distinct, necessary function in the domain.
The tool set covers core portal workflows effectively: authentication lifecycle, directory search, event checking, and volunteer opportunities. A minor gap exists in content modification capabilities (e.g., no tools for signing up for events or volunteers), but agents can work with the provided read-only operations for most common tasks.
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