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HAL (HTTP API Layer)

HTTP OPTIONS Request

http-options

Check available HTTP methods and headers for a URL by sending an OPTIONS request. Supports secret substitution for authentication.

Instructions

Make an HTTP OPTIONS request to a specified URL to check available methods and headers. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL and headers where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
urlYes
headersNo

Implementation Reference

  • src/index.ts:679-692 (registration)
    Registration of the http-options tool with its metadata (title, description) and input schema (url required, headers optional)
    server.registerTool(
      "http-options",
      {
        title: "HTTP OPTIONS Request",
        description: "Make an HTTP OPTIONS request to a specified URL to check available methods and headers. Supports secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax in URL and headers where 'key' corresponds to HAL_SECRET_KEY environment variables.",
        inputSchema: {
          url: z.string().url(),
          headers: z.record(z.string()).optional()
        }
      },
      async ({ url, headers = {} }: { url: string; headers?: Record<string, string> }) => {
        return makeHttpRequest('OPTIONS', url, { headers });
      }
    );
  • Handler function for the http-options tool - calls makeHttpRequest with 'OPTIONS' method, passing url and headers
      async ({ url, headers = {} }: { url: string; headers?: Record<string, string> }) => {
        return makeHttpRequest('OPTIONS', url, { headers });
      }
    );
  • Core HTTP request function used by http-options (and all other http-* tools). Handles secret substitution, URL validation, making the fetch call, and response processing
    // Helper function to make HTTP request
    async function makeHttpRequest(
      method: string,
      url: string,
      options: {
        headers?: Record<string, string>;
        body?: string;
        queryParams?: Record<string, any>;
      } = {}
    ) {
      try {
        const { headers = {}, body, queryParams = {} } = options;
        
        // First, substitute secrets in URL to get the final URL for validation
        // We need to do this in two passes to handle URL restrictions properly
        const processedUrl = substituteSecrets(url, url);
        
        // Now substitute secrets in headers, body, and query parameters using the processed URL
        const processedHeaders = substituteSecretsInObject(headers, processedUrl);
        const processedBody = body ? substituteSecrets(body, processedUrl) : body;
        const processedQueryParams = substituteSecretsInObject(queryParams, processedUrl);
        
        // Build URL with query parameters
        const urlObj = new URL(processedUrl);
        Object.entries(processedQueryParams).forEach(([key, value]) => {
          if (value !== undefined && value !== null) {
            urlObj.searchParams.set(key, String(value));
          }
        });
        
        const finalUrl = urlObj.toString();
        
        // Check global URL whitelist/blacklist
        const urlCheck = isUrlAllowedGlobal(finalUrl);
        if (!urlCheck.allowed) {
          throw new Error(urlCheck.reason || 'URL is not allowed');
        }
        
        const defaultHeaders = {
          'User-Agent': 'HAL-MCP/1.0.0',
          ...processedHeaders
        };
        
             // Add Content-Type for methods that typically send data
         if (['POST', 'PUT', 'PATCH'].includes(method.toUpperCase()) && processedBody && !('Content-Type' in processedHeaders)) {
           (defaultHeaders as any)['Content-Type'] = 'application/json';
         }
        
        const response = await fetch(finalUrl, {
          method: method.toUpperCase(),
          headers: defaultHeaders,
          body: processedBody
        });
    
        const contentType = response.headers.get('content-type') || 'text/plain';
        let content: string;
        
        // HEAD requests don't have a body by design
        if (method.toUpperCase() === 'HEAD') {
          content = '(No body - HEAD request)';
        } else {
          try {
            if (contentType.includes('application/json')) {
              const text = await response.text();
              if (text.trim()) {
                content = JSON.stringify(JSON.parse(text), null, 2);
              } else {
                content = '(Empty response)';
              }
            } else {
              content = await response.text();
            }
          } catch (parseError) {
            // If JSON parsing fails, try to get text
            try {
              content = await response.text();
            } catch (textError) {
              content = '(Unable to parse response)';
            }
          }
        }
    
        // Redact secrets from response headers and content before returning
        const redactedHeaders = Array.from(response.headers.entries())
          .map(([key, value]) => `${key}: ${redactSecretsFromText(value)}`)
          .join('\n');
        const redactedContent = redactSecretsFromText(content);
    
             return {
           content: [{
             type: "text" as const,
             text: `Status: ${response.status} ${response.statusText}\n\nHeaders:\n${redactedHeaders}\n\nBody:\n${redactedContent}`
           }]
         };
      } catch (error) {
        const errorMessage = error instanceof Error ? error.message : 'Unknown error';
        const redactedErrorMessage = redactSecretsFromText(errorMessage);
             return {
           content: [{
             type: "text" as const,
             text: `Error making ${method.toUpperCase()} request: ${redactedErrorMessage}`
           }],
           isError: true
         };
      }
    }
  • Input schema for http-options: requires a URL string (validated as URL format), with optional headers as a record of strings
      inputSchema: {
        url: z.string().url(),
        headers: z.record(z.string()).optional()
      }
    },
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description must disclose behavioral traits. It mentions secret substitution using {secrets.key} syntax, which adds value, but lacks information on authentication needs, error handling, or rate limits.

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?

Two sentences, front-loaded with the main action. No redundant words. Efficiently conveys purpose and a key feature (secret substitution).

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 no annotations, no output schema, and 0% schema coverage, the description is fairly complete. It covers the main purpose and secret substitution. Could have mentioned that no request body is sent (implied by OPTIONS).

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 0%, so the description must add meaning. It mentions URL and headers implicitly and adds the secret substitution feature for both. However, it does not elaborate on the format or constraints beyond 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 clearly states the tool makes an HTTP OPTIONS request to check available methods and headers. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like http-get and http-post by specifying the HTTP method.

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

Usage Guidelines3/5

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

The description implies usage for checking methods/headers but does not explicitly compare with alternatives or state when not to use it. No exclusions or preconditions are mentioned.

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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