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HLH2023
by HLH2023

terminal-use-mcp

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Local + remote terminal interaction control MCP Server. Lets AI agents control interactive TUI programs the way a human would.

npm version License: MIT Node.js

Platform

Status

Linux x86_64 / ARM64

Supported

macOS Intel / Apple Silicon

Supported (best effort)

WSL2

Supported (best effort)

Native Windows

Experimental (native-pty only; tmux requires psmux or WSL2)

Windows users: The native-pty provider works on Windows (shell auto-detection: ComSpeccmd.exe). The tmux provider requires a Unix PTY multiplexer — install psmux (tmux-compatible, 83 commands, uses tmux as alias) or use WSL2. If tmux is not on PATH, set TERMINAL_USE_TMUX_PATH to its absolute or relative path.

This is not a shell runner. Use your bash tool for simple commands. This server handles TUI programs that require keyboard interaction: lazygit, vim, htop, Python REPL, debuggers, installers, external agent TUIs (Claude Code, Codex CLI, OpenCode).

Concept

terminal-use-mcp provides a snapshot-driven interaction loop:

snapshot → analyze → type/press → wait → snapshot

Unlike tmux send-keys + sleep, the server observes PTY render events directly. wait_for_text / wait_stable block until the program actually responds — no polling, no guessing.

What it is for: Programs that need keyboard input — REPLs, debuggers, TUI apps, installers, external coding agents.

What it is NOT for: Simple command execution → use your bash tool.

Related MCP server: interactive-process-mcp

Quick Start

Prerequisites

Dependency

Minimum

Purpose

Node.js

20+

Run the MCP server

npm

8+

Install dependencies

node-gyp + C++ toolchain

Compile node-pty (optional; fallback to tmux if missing). Also needed for re2 (optional; ReDoS protection)

tmux

3.2+

tmux provider (optional; only native-pty available if missing)

MCP Client Configuration

Claude Code / Claude Desktop

Add to .mcp.json (project root) or claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "terminal-use": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "terminal-use-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT": "<your-project-path>",
        "TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD": "<your-project-path>,/tmp",
        "TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS": "native-pty,tmux"
      }
    }
  }
}

OpenAI Codex CLI

Add to .codex/config.json in the mcp_servers field:

{
  "mcp_servers": {
    "terminal-use": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "terminal-use-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT": "<your-project-path>",
        "TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD": "<your-project-path>,/tmp",
        "TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS": "native-pty,tmux"
      }
    }
  }
}

OpenCode

Add to .opencode/opencode.json in the mcp field:

{
  "mcp": {
    "terminal-use": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["npx", "-y", "terminal-use-mcp"],
      "enabled": true,
      "environment": {
        "TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT": "<your-project-path>",
        "TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD": "<your-project-path>,/tmp",
        "TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS": "native-pty,tmux"
      }
    }
  }
}

stdio transport: stdout is reserved for MCP protocol. All logs go to stderr. Server cleans up all sessions on SIGINT/SIGTERM.

Copy-Paste Setup Prompts

Paste the appropriate prompt into your AI agent for autonomous installation:

Set up terminal-use-mcp with these steps:

1. Prerequisites check:
   - Confirm Node.js 20+ and npm 8+ are available (node -v / npm -v)

2. Configure MCP:
   - Create or edit .mcp.json in the project root, adding:
     {
       "mcpServers": {
         "terminal-use": {
           "command": "npx",
           "args": ["-y", "terminal-use-mcp"],
           "env": {
             "TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT": "<current-project-absolute-path>",
             "TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD": "<current-project-absolute-path>,/tmp",
             "TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS": "native-pty,tmux"
           }
         }
       }
     }
   - Replace <current-project-absolute-path> with the actual path
   - TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS controls which providers are enabled (comma-separated).
     Common values:
     - "native-pty,tmux" — local only (default, no SSH)
     - "native-pty,tmux,ssh-pty,ssh-tmux" — all providers (include remote SSH)
      - "tmux" — tmux only (when node-pty is unavailable)
      If unsure, use "native-pty,tmux".
    - If tmux is not on PATH, set TERMINAL_USE_TMUX_PATH to its absolute or relative path.
    - Windows: native-pty only by default. For tmux support, install psmux (https://github.com/psmux/psmux)
      which provides a `tmux` alias, or use WSL2.
    - Security configuration (optional):
      - TERMINAL_USE_ALLOW_COMMANDS: commands allowed despite built-in deny list (comma-separated)
      - TERMINAL_USE_DENY_COMMANDS: additional commands to deny beyond built-in list (comma-separated)
      - TERMINAL_USE_RISKY_COMMAND_MODE: how to handle risky commands — "deny" (default, block), "ask" (prompt user), "allow" (permit all)
      If unsure, leave these unset (default deny mode is safe for most use cases).

3. Install skills:
   - ASK the user: "Do you have npx skills (skills.sh) installed? (Yes / No / Not sure)"
   - If Yes or Not sure (try first):
     ASK the user: "Install skills globally (available across all projects) or in this project only? (global / project)"
     If global: Run: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup -g
     If project: Run: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup
     If the command fails, fall back to manual download (see below).
   - If No (manual download):
     Download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/terminal-use/SKILL.md
     and save to .claude/skills/terminal-use/SKILL.md
     Download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/terminal-use-setup/SKILL.md
     and save to .claude/skills/terminal-use-setup/SKILL.md
   - ASK the user: "Do you need to remotely control any of these AI agent TUIs via terminal-use-mcp?
     - Claude Code TUI (tui-claude-code)
     - Codex CLI TUI (tui-codex-cli)
     - OpenCode TUI (tui-opencode-native)
     - OpenCode + OmO plugin TUI (tui-opencode-omo)
     If unsure, skip — you can add them later with: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s <skill-name>"
   - For each confirmed agent: if skills.sh is available, run
     npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s <skill-name>
     (append -g if the user chose global install)
     Otherwise, download from
     https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
     and save to .claude/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
   - ASK the user: "The core skill includes both local (§1-§11) and remote SSH (§12-§17) sections.
     If you only use local terminals, I can remove §12-§17 to save ~500 lines.
     Should I trim the skill?"

4. Restart Claude Code for the config to take effect

5. Verify:
   - Confirm terminal.health, terminal.start etc. appear in the MCP tool list
   - Call terminal.health to confirm server and provider status are OK
   - Compare the version in terminal.health response with the skill version header (e.g. v0.2.0).
     If they mismatch, inform the user and suggest updating skills with: npx skills update

Constraints:
- Do not output any secrets
- Only notify me if node-pty compilation fails; handle other issues yourself
Set up terminal-use-mcp with these steps:

1. Prerequisites check:
   - Confirm Node.js 20+ and npm 8+ are available (node -v / npm -v)

2. Configure MCP:
   - Create or edit .codex/config.json, adding to mcp_servers:
     {
       "terminal-use": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": ["-y", "terminal-use-mcp"],
         "env": {
           "TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT": "<current-project-absolute-path>",
           "TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD": "<current-project-absolute-path>,/tmp",
           "TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS": "native-pty,tmux"
         }
       }
     }
   - Replace <current-project-absolute-path> with the actual path
   - TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS controls which providers are enabled (comma-separated).
     Common values:
     - "native-pty,tmux" — local only (default, no SSH)
     - "native-pty,tmux,ssh-pty,ssh-tmux" — all providers (include remote SSH)
      - "tmux" — tmux only (when node-pty is unavailable)
      If unsure, use "native-pty,tmux".
    - If tmux is not on PATH, set TERMINAL_USE_TMUX_PATH to its absolute or relative path.
    - Windows: native-pty only by default. For tmux support, install psmux (https://github.com/psmux/psmux)
      which provides a `tmux` alias, or use WSL2.
    - Security configuration (optional):
      - TERMINAL_USE_ALLOW_COMMANDS: commands allowed despite built-in deny list (comma-separated)
      - TERMINAL_USE_DENY_COMMANDS: additional commands to deny beyond built-in list (comma-separated)
      - TERMINAL_USE_RISKY_COMMAND_MODE: how to handle risky commands — "deny" (default, block), "ask" (prompt user), "allow" (permit all)
      If unsure, leave these unset (default deny mode is safe for most use cases).

3. Install skills:
   - ASK the user: "Do you have npx skills (skills.sh) installed? (Yes / No / Not sure)"
   - If Yes or Not sure (try first):
     ASK the user: "Install skills globally (available across all projects) or in this project only? (global / project)"
     If global: Run: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup -g
     If project: Run: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup
     If the command fails, fall back to manual download (see below).
   - If No (manual download):
     Download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/terminal-use/SKILL.md
     and save to .codex/skills/terminal-use/SKILL.md
     Download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/terminal-use-setup/SKILL.md
     and save to .codex/skills/terminal-use-setup/SKILL.md
   - ASK the user: "Do you need to remotely control any of these AI agent TUIs via terminal-use-mcp?
     - Claude Code TUI (tui-claude-code)
     - Codex CLI TUI (tui-codex-cli)
     - OpenCode TUI (tui-opencode-native)
     - OpenCode + OmO plugin TUI (tui-opencode-omo)
     If unsure, skip — you can add them later with: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s <skill-name>"
   - For each confirmed agent: if skills.sh is available, run
     npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s <skill-name>
     (append -g if the user chose global install)
     Otherwise, download from
     https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
     and save to .codex/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
   - ASK the user: "The core skill includes both local (§1-§11) and remote SSH (§12-§17) sections.
     If you only use local terminals, I can remove §12-§17 to save ~500 lines.
     Should I trim the skill?"

4. Restart Codex CLI for the config to take effect

5. Verify:
   - Confirm terminal.health appears when you start a session
   - Call terminal.health and compare the version with the skill version header (e.g. v0.2.0).
     If they mismatch, inform the user and suggest updating skills with: npx skills update

Constraints:
- Do not output any secrets
- Only notify me if node-pty compilation fails; handle other issues yourself
Set up terminal-use-mcp with these steps:

1. Prerequisites check:
   - Confirm Node.js 20+ and npm 8+ are available (node -v / npm -v)

2. Configure MCP:
   - Add to .opencode/opencode.json in the mcp field:
     {
       "type": "local",
       "command": ["npx", "-y", "terminal-use-mcp"],
       "enabled": true,
       "environment": {
         "TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT": "<current-project-absolute-path>",
         "TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD": "<current-project-absolute-path>,/tmp",
         "TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS": "native-pty,tmux"
       }
     }
   - TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS controls which providers are enabled (comma-separated).
     Common values:
     - "native-pty,tmux" — local only (default, no SSH)
     - "native-pty,tmux,ssh-pty,ssh-tmux" — all providers (include remote SSH)
      - "tmux" — tmux only (when node-pty is unavailable)
       If unsure, use "native-pty,tmux".
     - If tmux is not on PATH, set TERMINAL_USE_TMUX_PATH to its absolute or relative path.
     - Windows: native-pty only by default. For tmux support, install psmux (https://github.com/psmux/psmux)
       which provides a `tmux` alias, or use WSL2.
     - Security configuration (optional):
       - TERMINAL_USE_ALLOW_COMMANDS: commands allowed despite built-in deny list (comma-separated)
       - TERMINAL_USE_DENY_COMMANDS: additional commands to deny beyond built-in list (comma-separated)
       - TERMINAL_USE_RISKY_COMMAND_MODE: how to handle risky commands — "deny" (default, block), "ask" (prompt user), "allow" (permit all)
       If unsure, leave these unset (default deny mode is safe for most use cases).

3. Install skills:
   - ASK the user: "Do you have npx skills (skills.sh) installed? (Yes / No / Not sure)"
   - If Yes or Not sure (try first):
     ASK the user: "Install skills globally (available across all projects) or in this project only? (global / project)"
     If global: Run: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup -g
     If project: Run: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup
     If the command fails, fall back to manual download (see below).
   - If No (manual download):
     Download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/terminal-use/SKILL.md
     and save to .opencode/skills/terminal-use/SKILL.md
     Download https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/terminal-use-setup/SKILL.md
     and save to .opencode/skills/terminal-use-setup/SKILL.md
   - ASK the user: "Do you need to remotely control any of these AI agent TUIs via terminal-use-mcp?
     - Claude Code TUI (tui-claude-code)
     - Codex CLI TUI (tui-codex-cli)
     - OpenCode TUI (tui-opencode-native)
     - OpenCode + OmO plugin TUI (tui-opencode-omo)
     If unsure, skip — you can add them later with: npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s <skill-name>"
   - For each confirmed agent: if skills.sh is available, run
     npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s <skill-name>
     (append -g if the user chose global install)
     Otherwise, download from
     https://raw.githubusercontent.com/HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp/main/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
     and save to .opencode/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md
   - ASK the user: "The core skill includes both local (§1-§11) and remote SSH (§12-§17) sections.
     If you only use local terminals, I can remove §12-§17 to save ~500 lines.
     Should I trim the skill?"

4. Restart OpenCode for the config to take effect

5. Verify:
   - Confirm terminal.health, terminal.start etc. appear in the MCP tool list
   - Call terminal.health and compare the version with the skill version header (e.g. v0.2.0).
     If they mismatch, inform the user and suggest updating skills with: npx skills update

Constraints:
- Do not output any secrets
- Only notify me if node-pty compilation fails; handle other issues yourself

Skills (Optional)

terminal-use-mcp provides core skills (terminal-use and terminal-use-setup, available in the GitHub repository) that teach AI agents how to use the MCP tools correctly and how to configure the server. Additionally, there are agent-specific skills for controlling external AI agent TUIs. Skills are not included in the npm package — download them from GitHub. Install only the ones you need.

skills.sh (npx skills) provides one-command install and update for skills across 19+ AI agent platforms:

# Interactive selection — pick which skills to install (default when repo has multiple skills)
npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp

# Install only core skills (recommended for most users)
npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup

# Install a specific agent TUI skill
npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s tui-claude-code

# Install all skills (core + all agent TUI skills)
npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp --all

# Install globally (available across projects)
npx skills add HLH2023/terminal-use-mcp -s terminal-use -s terminal-use-setup -g

# Update installed skills to latest
npx skills update

Tip: Only install the TUI skills you need. For normal terminal automation (lazygit, vim, htop, REPLs), the two core skills are sufficient.

Manual Installation

Download SKILL.md files from GitHub and place them in your agent's skill directory:

Skill

Required?

Install

terminal-use

Yes (core operations)

Copy skills/terminal-use/ into your project's skill directory

terminal-use-setup

Yes (core configuration)

Copy skills/terminal-use-setup/ into your project's skill directory

tui-claude-code

If you remotely control Claude Code

Copy skills/tui-claude-code/

tui-codex-cli

If you remotely control Codex CLI

Copy skills/tui-codex-cli/

tui-opencode-native

If you remotely control OpenCode

Copy skills/tui-opencode-native/

tui-opencode-omo

If you remotely control OpenCode with OmO

Copy skills/tui-opencode-omo/

When to install agent-specific skills: Only when you need to remotely control another AI agent's TUI (e.g., one agent driving another). For normal terminal automation (lazygit, vim, htop, REPLs), the core skill is sufficient.

Customization & Trimming

Skills are plain Markdown — edit them freely to match your needs:

  • Trim the core skill: terminal-use includes §1-§17. If you only use local terminals, delete §12-§17 (remote SSH). Sections like §7 (Common Patterns, ~130 lines) and §16 (Remote Operation Patterns, ~150 lines) are the largest and safe to remove if your AI learns by doing.

  • Pick only the agent skills you need: Don't install tui-claude-code if you never control Claude Code. Each agent skill is fully self-contained.

  • Minimal core skill: §1 + §3 + §6 (~80 lines) covers the essential purpose, operation loop, and safety rules. Everything else is reference material.

Each SKILL.md includes a Customization Guide table at the top that marks which sections are safe to remove.

Providers

Provider

Use Case

Key Advantage

native-pty

Most interactive TUI programs (default)

Fast response, high-quality snapshots, highlight detection

tmux

Sessions needing persistence, disconnect recovery, multi-user attach

Attachable, sessions survive MCP restart

ssh-pty

TUI programs on remote hosts

Reuses local xterm/snapshot/transcript stack over SSH

ssh-tmux

Persistent remote sessions, disconnect recovery, human-attachable

Full remote tmux lifecycle management

Auto-selection: local → native-pty (fallback tmux); remote → ssh-pty (fallback ssh-tmux).

Provider Configuration

Control which providers are available via the TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS environment variable (comma-separated whitelist). If unset, all providers are enabled.

{
  "env": {
    "TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS": "native-pty,tmux"
  }
}

Value

Effect

(not set)

All providers enabled

native-pty,tmux

Local only — no SSH providers

tmux

tmux only — useful in environments without node-pty

ssh-pty,ssh-tmux

Remote only — no local terminal providers

Disabled providers are excluded from registration and auto-selection. terminal.health reports them as "disabled by TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS config".

Environment Variables

Core Configuration

Variable

Purpose

Default

TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS

Enabled provider whitelist (CSV)

All providers

TERMINAL_USE_DEFAULT_PROVIDER

Default provider (overrides auto-selection priority)

native-pty

TERMINAL_USE_TMUX_PATH

Absolute or relative path to tmux binary (when not on PATH)

tmux

TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT

CWD policy root

current working directory

TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD

Allowed working directories (CSV)

(empty; workspace root is always allowed via TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT)

TERMINAL_USE_CWD_POLICY_MODE

CWD policy for local terminal.start. "guarded" allows workspaceRoot/allowedCwdRoots, blocks known dangerous roots, and allows other non-denied dirs. "strict" only allows workspaceRoot/allowedCwdRoots.

guarded

TERMINAL_USE_ALLOW_COMMANDS

Commands allowed even if on deny list (CSV, overrides deny)

(empty)

TERMINAL_USE_DENY_COMMANDS

Extra denied commands beyond built-in list (CSV)

(empty)

TERMINAL_USE_RISKY_COMMAND_MODE

How to handle denied commands: deny, ask, or allow

deny

Session & Behavior

Variable

Purpose

Default

TERMINAL_USE_SESSION_TTL_MS

Session auto-cleanup timeout (ms)

3600000 (1 hour)

TERMINAL_USE_CLEANUP_INTERVAL_MS

How often to check for expired sessions (ms)

60000 (1 min)

TERMINAL_USE_DEFAULT_COLS

Default terminal columns for new sessions

120

TERMINAL_USE_DEFAULT_ROWS

Default terminal rows for new sessions

30

TERMINAL_USE_LARGE_PASTE_LIMIT

Paste size threshold requiring confirmation (characters)

2000

TERMINAL_USE_HARD_PASTE_LIMIT

Hard paste size limit — pastes above this are always refused (characters)

10000

TERMINAL_USE_LOG_LEVEL

Log verbosity: debug, info, warn, error

info

TERMINAL_USE_HOSTS_CONFIG

Path to SSH host profiles configuration file

XDG config dir / hosts.json (profiles/*.json takes priority)

TERMINAL_USE_ALLOW_INLINE_SSH_TARGETS

Set to 1 to allow inline SSH host specification in tool calls

(not set — denied)

TERMINAL_USE_STORE_RAW_TRANSCRIPT

Set to 1 to also save raw (unredacted) transcript files

(not set — only redacted)

Path Overrides

Variable

Purpose

Default

TERMINAL_USE_ARTIFACT_DIR

Override artifact/transcript output directory

<data-dir>/artifacts

TERMINAL_USE_CONFIG_DIR

Override XDG config directory

See XDG/platform defaults below

TERMINAL_USE_CONFIG_FILE

Override config.json file path

<config-dir>/config.json

TERMINAL_USE_DATA_DIR

Override XDG data directory (artifact, session data)

See XDG/platform defaults below

XDG / Platform Paths

Variable

Purpose

Platform

XDG_CONFIG_HOME

XDG config home — app appends terminal-use-mcp/

Linux, macOS

XDG_DATA_HOME

XDG data home — app appends terminal-use-mcp/

Linux, macOS

XDG_RUNTIME_DIR

XDG runtime directory (used for SSH agent socket discovery)

Linux

APPDATA

Windows roaming app data — app appends terminal-use-mcp/

Windows

LOCALAPPDATA

Windows local app data — app appends terminal-use-mcp/

Windows

ComSpec

Windows command interpreter path (used by native-pty shell wrapping)

Windows

SSH Authentication

Variable

Purpose

SSH_AUTH_SOCK

SSH agent socket path (discovered automatically if not set; see ssh-auth.ts discovery chain)

SSH_PROXY_JUMP

SSH ProxyJump configuration (passed to SSH connection)

MCP Tools

Session Lifecycle (7 tools)

Tool

Purpose

terminal.start

Start a terminal session

terminal.attach

Attach to an existing session (tmux)

terminal.list

List all active sessions

terminal.info

Query session details

terminal.rename

Rename a session label

terminal.kill

Terminate a session and its process

terminal.cleanup

Clean up all expired sessions

Observation (5 tools)

Tool

Purpose

terminal.snapshot

Capture current screen state

terminal.wait_for_text

Wait for specific text to appear

terminal.wait_stable

Wait until output stops changing

terminal.find

Search for text in screen/scrollback

terminal.scroll

Scroll the terminal viewport

Input (5 tools)

Tool

Purpose

terminal.type

Type text into the terminal

terminal.press

Send a key press (supports arbitrary combos e.g. "ctrl+shift+f")

terminal.paste

Paste large text (with safety checks)

terminal.mouse_click

Mouse click (SGR-1006)

terminal.mouse_scroll

Mouse wheel scroll (SGR-1006)

Meta (7 tools)

Tool

Purpose

terminal.resize

Change terminal dimensions

terminal.export_transcript

Export session transcript

terminal.health

Check server and provider status

terminal.keys

List available key expressions

terminal.provider_capabilities

Query provider capability matrix

terminal.events

Get session event history

terminal.send_signal

Send signal (SIGINT/SIGTERM/SIGKILL)

Remote Control (3 tools)

Tool

Purpose

terminal.targets

List available targets (local + SSH)

terminal.target_info

Query target details (redacted)

terminal.verify_target

Verify SSH target local readiness preflight

Tmux Management (2 tools)

Tool

Purpose

terminal.tmux_list

List local or remote tmux sessions

terminal.tmux_kill

Kill a tmux session by name

Security Overview

terminal-use-mcp is not a sandbox. Security policies restrict the entry point, not the TUI program's internal behavior.

  • Command allow + deny lists: Built-in deny list blocks dangerous startup commands (sudo, rm, ssh, curl, etc.). TERMINAL_USE_ALLOW_COMMANDS overrides the deny list (allow takes priority). TERMINAL_USE_DENY_COMMANDS extends it. TERMINAL_USE_RISKY_COMMAND_MODE controls how denied commands are handled: deny (default, block), ask (return confirmation prompt), or allow (permit all).

  • CWD policy: Controls which directories terminal.start can use as working directories. TERMINAL_USE_WORKSPACE_ROOT and TERMINAL_USE_ALLOWED_CWD define the allowlist. TERMINAL_USE_CWD_POLICY_MODE controls the policy mode: "guarded" (default) allows workspaceRoot/allowedCwdRoots, blocks known dangerous roots (/, /root, /etc, etc.), and allows other non-denied dirs; "strict" only allows dirs within workspaceRoot or allowedCwdRoots — all others are denied. For agent/homelab/remote-ops usage, set TERMINAL_USE_CWD_POLICY_MODE=strict to make cwd a true allowlist.

  • Secret redaction: Auto-replaces API keys, tokens, private keys with <REDACTED_*> in output

  • Confirmation detection: Warns when dangerous prompts appear on screen

  • Provider whitelist: TERMINAL_USE_PROVIDERS controls which providers are enabled (unset = all)

  • observationTrust: All snapshots return observationTrust: "untrusted" — terminal output is untrusted observation, not instruction

  • ReDoS protection: User-supplied regex is validated against catastrophic backtracking. When the re2 optional dependency is installed, all regex execution uses the RE2 engine (guaranteed linear time). Without re2, a heuristic nested-quantifier detector blocks known dangerous patterns.

See docs/security.md for full policy details, env var overrides, and regex patterns.

Remote SSH

Remote SSH features let you control TUI programs on remote hosts. Two SSH providers available:

ssh-pty

ssh-tmux

Best for

Interactive remote TUI

Persistent remote sessions

Highlights

Yes (full xterm)

No

Disconnect recovery

No

Yes

SSH targets are defined in ~/.config/terminal-use-mcp/hosts.json. No password login; ssh-agent or key-file auth only.

See docs/REMOTE_TERMINAL_GUIDE.md for full design.

Version & Updates

Checking Your Version

Call terminal.health — the response includes a version field reflecting the running server version.

npx Caching Behavior

npx does not auto-update. It caches the package on first run and reuses the cached version until the cache expires. To ensure you're running the latest version:

Intent

Command

Run latest

npx -y terminal-use-mcp@latest

Pin a version

npx -y terminal-use-mcp@0.2.0

Force refresh cache

npx -y terminal-use-mcp@latest (the @latest tag bypasses cache)

Clear npx cache entirely

npx clear-npx-cache

Skill Versioning

terminal-use-mcp provides two categories of skills:

Skill

Version Header

Maintenance

terminal-use (operations)

terminal-use-mcp vX.Y.Z — tracks the MCP server version

Maintained alongside server releases

terminal-use-setup (configuration)

terminal-use-mcp vX.Y.Z — tracks the MCP server version

Maintained alongside server releases

tui-* (agent-specific)

Reference: <Program> vX.Y.Z — verified against a specific target version

Community-maintained — NOT updated in lockstep with target program releases

If a TUI program updates and keybindings change, update the corresponding skill yourself or submit a PR. The core terminal-use skill is updated with each server release.

CWD Policy Mode

TERMINAL_USE_CWD_POLICY_MODE controls CWD restriction for terminal.start:

Mode

Behavior

guarded (default)

Allows workspaceRoot + allowedCwd, blocks known dangerous roots (/, /root, /etc, …), allows other non-denied dirs

strict

Only allows workspaceRoot + allowedCwd — all other dirs denied

For production/agent usage, set TERMINAL_USE_CWD_POLICY_MODE=strict to make CWD a true allowlist.

Further Reading

Topic

Document

Security policies, env vars, deny lists

docs/security.md

Scrollback strategy, buffer modes

docs/scrollback.md

Type definitions, error codes

docs/types-and-errors.md

Remote SSH design

docs/REMOTE_TERMINAL_GUIDE.md

Remote SSH architecture

docs/REMOTE_SSH_ARCHITECTURE.md

Controlling Claude Code TUI

docs/TUI_CLAUDE_CODE.md

Controlling Codex CLI TUI

docs/TUI_CODEX_CLI.md

Controlling OpenCode TUI

docs/TUI_OPENCODE_NATIVE.md

Controlling OpenCode + OmO

docs/TUI_OPENCODE_OMO.md

Development

Script

Description

npm run dev

Start MCP server (tsx direct run)

npm run build

TypeScript compilation

npm run typecheck

Type checking (tsc --noEmit)

npm run test

Run all tests

npm run check

typecheck + test

Acknowledgments

This project was inspired by and references the following open-source projects:

Direct References (code-level inspiration)

Project

Repository

License

How Referenced

tui-use

onesuper/tui-use

MIT

Key mapping format and screen stabilization semantics. Independent implementation — no code copied.

Architecture References (documentation-level only)

Runtime Dependencies

All permissively licensed (MIT). No GPL/LGPL dependencies.

Package

License

@modelcontextprotocol/sdk

MIT

ssh2

MIT

zod

MIT

@xterm/headless + addon-unicode11

MIT

node-pty (optional)

MIT

re2 (optional)

BSD-3-Clause

License

MIT

Available Tools

29 tools
terminal.attachC

Attach to an existing terminal session

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdNoSession ID (from terminal.start or terminal.list — use exact value, do not modify)
tmuxSessionNameNoExisting tmux session name
providerNoProvider used for attach

TDQS

C2.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description must fully disclose behavioral traits. It only says 'Attach', which implies a connection, but does not specify whether it is a read-only operation, requires prior session existence, or what side effects occur (e.g., mutating session state).

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

Conciseness3/5

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

The description is a single sentence, which is concise but overly minimal. It lacks any structured information (e.g., use cases, prerequisites) that would help an AI agent, making it less effective despite its brevity.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the lack of annotations and output schema, the description should provide more context about what attaching entails (e.g., whether it returns a stream, if events are automatically received). The current description is insufficient for an agent to understand the tool's behavior fully.

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 coverage is 100%, with all three parameters having descriptive comments. The tool description itself adds no additional parameter semantics, so the baseline score of 3 is appropriate.

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 clearly states the action ('Attach') and resource ('existing terminal session'), and it distinguishes from terminal.start. However, it does not elaborate on what 'attach' means operationally (e.g., gaining an interactive stream).

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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 siblings like terminal.start or terminal.events. Given the many related tools, the absence of usage context is a significant gap.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.cleanupC

Cleanup terminal sessions managed by this MCP server

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

C2.7/5.0
Behavior1/5

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

The description fails to disclose any behavioral traits. Since there are no annotations, the description carries the full burden, but it only states 'Cleanup terminal sessions' without explaining what cleanup entails (e.g., destructive actions, process termination, resource reclamation).

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

Conciseness3/5

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

The description is a single short sentence, which is concise, but it sacrifices necessary detail. It is front-loaded but too terse for a tool that might have significant side effects.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the lack of annotations, output schema, and parameter details, the description is incomplete. It does not explain the scope of cleanup (all sessions? only inactive?), potential risks, or how it differs from similar operations. More context is needed for safe usage.

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?

The tool has no parameters (schema coverage 100%), so the description need not add parameter details. Baseline score of 4 applies as the description is sufficient for a parameterless tool.

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 clearly states the tool's purpose: cleaning up terminal sessions managed by the MCP server. It uses a specific verb and resource, distinguishing it from sibling tools like terminal.kill or terminal.list, though it doesn't elaborate on the exact scope.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No usage guidelines are provided. The description does not indicate when to use this tool versus alternatives like terminal.kill or terminal.start. There is no mention of prerequisites or conditions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.eventsC

Read transcript events for a terminal session

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYes
limitNo
sinceSeqNo

TDQS

C2.7/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, and the description does not disclose behavioral traits such as whether events are consumed on read, if the operation is streaming, or if an active session is required. The minimal description leaves significant transparency gaps.

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

Conciseness3/5

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

The description is a single front-loaded sentence, which is concise, but it lacks essential information that would earn its place. It is adequate but not exceptional.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given a tool with 3 parameters and no output schema, the description is incomplete. It does not explain what 'events' are, how to use limit or sinceSeq, or the format of returned data, leaving significant gaps for a read operation.

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

Parameters1/5

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 beyond the schema. However, the description does not explain any parameters (sessionId, limit, sinceSeq) or their semantics, failing to compensate for the lack of schema descriptions.

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 verb 'Read' and the resource 'transcript events for a terminal session', making the tool's purpose specific and distinguishable from siblings like 'terminal.list' or 'terminal.snapshot'.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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 does not mention use cases, prerequisites, or contrast with siblings such as 'terminal.wait_for_text' or 'terminal.wait_stable'.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.export_transcriptC

Export a terminal session transcript to the artifact directory

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
redactNo
formatNotext
includeSnapshotsNo

TDQS

C2.3/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It only says 'Export', which implies a read-like operation but may involve file creation. No mention of side effects, permissions, or what happens if the session is still active.

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

Conciseness2/5

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

The description is a single sentence, which is concise but lacks necessary details. It does not earn its place given the complexity of the tool; important context is missing.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness1/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a tool with 4 parameters, no output schema, and no annotations, the description is severely incomplete. It fails to explain the purpose of each parameter, the output format, or any usage constraints.

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

Parameters1/5

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

Schema description coverage is only 25%, and the tool description adds no information about any of the four parameters. The agent must rely solely on the schema, which is minimal for most parameters.

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 clearly states the action ('Export'), the resource ('terminal session transcript'), and the destination ('artifact directory'). It distinguishes this tool from sibling tools that deal with terminal events, snapshots, or lists.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

There is no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, no prerequisites (e.g., session must be ended), and no indication of when not to use it. The description is purely declarative.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.findB

Find pattern in terminal screen; pattern is a regex when regex=true.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
patternYesSearch pattern; treated as regex pattern when regex=true
regexNoTreat pattern as a regular expression
includeScrollbackNoSearch provider scrollback when supported

TDQS

B3.2/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It does not disclose whether the tool is read-only, requires permissions, or has side effects. The description only states the search action without behavioral context.

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 a single sentence that conveys the core purpose efficiently, with no unnecessary words.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has no output schema and no annotations. The description omits return value details (e.g., line numbers, matching text) and behavioral constraints like timeout or scrollback behavior, leaving the agent with incomplete information.

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 coverage is 100%, so parameters are already well described. The description adds a note about regex=true, but it is redundant with the schema. Baseline 3 is appropriate.

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 it finds a pattern in the terminal screen, and specifies that the pattern is treated as a regex when regex=true. This distinguishes it from siblings like terminal.wait_for_text or terminal.snapshot.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives (e.g., wait_for_text for waiting, snapshot for full capture). The description implies usage but does not exclude conditions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.healthA

Check terminal-use-mcp server health and provider availability

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are present, and the description only states it checks health and availability without explaining behavior such as error handling, caching, rate limits, or what constitutes healthy vs. unhealthy state.

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 a single front-loaded sentence with no redundant information, effectively conveying the tool's function.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given zero parameters and no output schema, the description is adequate but lacks detail on what 'health' and 'provider availability' mean, leaving some ambiguity for a comprehensive understanding.

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?

There are no parameters, and the description sufficiently conveys the tool's purpose without needing parameter details, earning the baseline score of 4.

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 checks server health and provider availability, using a specific verb and resource that distinguishes it from sibling tools like terminal.info or terminal.provider_capabilities.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives; it does not specify use cases, prerequisites, or when not to use it.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.infoA

Get terminal session information

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full disclosure burden. 'Get terminal session information' suggests a read-only operation, but it does not explicitly state behavioral traits like being non-destructive or requiring specific permissions. The description is adequate but lacks explicit safety guarantees.

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 a single sentence with no wasted words, fitting within the scope of the tool's function. Every word contributes to clarity.

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 single parameter and no output schema, the description is minimal but sufficient for a simple info retrieval tool. However, it could be slightly improved by hinting at the type of information returned (e.g., session state, metadata). Users of sibling tools may expect more detail.

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 coverage is 100%, and the parameter 'sessionId' already has a description ('Session ID from terminal.start — use exact value'). The tool description adds no further semantic information beyond what the schema provides.

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 'Get terminal session information' clearly states the action (get) and resource (terminal session information), effectively distinguishing it from sibling tools that perform actions like type, press, or kill.

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 retrieving session data but provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like terminal.target_info or terminal.list. No exclusions or contexts are mentioned.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.keysA

List available key expressions for terminal.press, grouped by category. Supports arbitrary modifier+key combinations.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. It discloses that the tool lists key expressions and supports arbitrary combos, but does not disclose any limitations, side effects, or whether the list is fixed or dynamic. Basic transparency is adequate.

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 core purpose ('List available key expressions...'). The second sentence adds a valuable detail without redundancy. No wasted words.

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 output schema, the description adequately explains the return value (a list of key expressions grouped by category). For a simple listing tool with no parameters, this is sufficient, though more detail on the grouping format could be provided.

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?

The tool has zero parameters; baseline is 4 per guidelines. The description adds meaning by explaining the output structure (grouped by category) and flexibility (arbitrary combos), exceeding the schema's empty definition.

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 explicitly states the tool lists available key expressions for terminal.press, grouped by category. This clearly distinguishes it from sibling tools like terminal.press (which performs key presses) and terminal.type (text input).

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 implies usage: use this tool to discover key expressions for terminal.press. It mentions support for arbitrary modifier+key combinations, but lacks explicit when-not-to-use or alternative references.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.killC

Kill a terminal session

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value

TDQS

C2.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, and the description only says 'kill' without explaining side effects, irreversibility, or any behavior beyond termination. The description does not disclose what happens to the session or related resources.

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

Conciseness3/5

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

The description is very short (one sentence), which is concise but lacks necessary detail. It is front-loaded but overly terse, missing important context.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the simplicity of the tool and lack of output schema, the description is minimally adequate but fails to provide enough context to distinguish from related tools or understand the full impact of the action.

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 coverage is 100%, and the schema already describes the sessionId parameter well. The description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema, meeting the baseline but not exceeding it.

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 clearly states the action (kill) and the resource (terminal session). However, it does not distinguish from sibling tools like terminal.send_signal or terminal.tmux_kill, which could cause confusion.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as terminal.send_signal or terminal.tmux_kill. The description lacks usage context, prerequisites, or exclusions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.listC

List active terminal sessions

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries full burden. It only states 'List active terminal sessions' without disclosing return format, potential limits, or side effects. Minimal behavioral context is provided.

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 a single sentence with no wasted words. It is appropriately sized for a tool with no parameters.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the large sibling set (28 tools) and no output schema, the description is too minimal. It does not explain what constitutes an active session, return format, or how it differs from similar listing tools.

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?

The input schema has zero parameters and 100% coverage, so the description need not add parameter details. However, the description does not clarify what 'active terminal sessions' means, missing an opportunity to add value.

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 clearly states 'List active terminal sessions', which is a specific verb-resource combination. It is distinguishable from siblings like terminal.find or terminal.targets, though it does not explicitly differentiate them.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as terminal.find or terminal.targets. The description gives no context for use cases or exclusions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.mouse_clickA

Click the mouse at a specific position in the terminal. Sends SGR-1006 press+release sequences that interactive TUI programs (vim, lazygit, htop, etc.) understand. The child process must have mouse mode enabled for clicks to take effect. Coordinates are 1-based: (1,1) is top-left corner.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
colYes1-based column (x position, left=1)
rowYes1-based row (y position, top=1)
buttonNoMouse buttonleft
shiftNoShift key held
altNoAlt key held
ctrlNoCtrl key held

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

No annotations provided, but description details SGR-1006 press+release sequences and 1-based coordinate system. Does not cover error conditions or session validity, but adequate for a click tool.

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, no redundancy. First sentence states action, second adds technical context. Efficient and front-loaded.

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?

Covers key behavioral aspects for the 7 parameters. No output schema, so return values implied. Lacks details on error handling, but sufficient for typical use.

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 coverage is 100%, but description adds value by clarifying coordinate system ('(1,1) is top-left') and requiring exact sessionId from terminal.start.

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 clicks the mouse at a specific terminal position, using SGR-1006 sequences for TUI programs. It distinguishes from related tools like terminal.keys and terminal.mouse_scroll.

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?

Provides a clear prerequisite: mouse mode must be enabled. Does not explicitly exclude alternatives but gives enough context to infer appropriate use.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.mouse_scrollA

Scroll the mouse wheel at a specific position in the terminal. Sends SGR-1006 scroll sequences that interactive TUI programs understand. Useful for scrolling through long content in TUI apps (chat history, logs, file viewers). The child process must have mouse mode enabled for scroll events to take effect.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
colYes1-based column (x position, left=1)
rowYes1-based row (y position, top=1)
directionYesScroll direction
linesNoNumber of scroll ticks (1-20, each ~3 lines)
shiftNoShift key held (fast scroll in some apps)
altNoAlt key held
ctrlNoCtrl key held

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations, so description carries full burden. It discloses the mechanism (SGR-1006 scroll sequences) and a key condition (mouse mode required). However, lacks details on side effects, error behavior, or return values. Adequate but not comprehensive.

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?

Three sentences, zero waste. First sentence states action, second provides technical detail, third gives use case and prerequisite. Front-loaded and efficient.

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?

Covers mechanism, prerequisite, and typical use. No output schema needed. Could mention failure modes (e.g., mouse mode disabled) but overall sufficient given tool complexity.

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 coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. Description does not add meaning beyond parameter names and types in schema. It restates concepts like 'specific position' which are already clear from 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 scrolls the mouse wheel at a specific position, using SGR-1006 sequences for interactive TUI programs. It distinguishes from sibling tools like terminal.scroll by specifying mouse wheel and TUI context.

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?

Provides context: useful for scrolling through long content in TUI apps. Includes prerequisite that child process must have mouse mode enabled. Does not explicitly compare to alternatives or state when not to use, but gives sufficient situational guidance.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.pasteB

Paste text into a terminal session with large-paste and secret detection safeguards.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
textYesText to paste into the terminal
confirmLargePasteNoRequired when text length is greater than 2000 characters
modeNoPaste mode: bracketed, line-by-line, or raw

TDQS

B3.4/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

Without annotations, the description carries full burden. It mentions 'safeguards' but does not detail what occurs when a secret is detected or what threshold defines a large paste, lacking specific 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.

Conciseness5/5

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

Single sentence with front-loaded purpose ('Paste text into a terminal session') followed by concise qualifiers. No redundant or unnecessary words.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given 4 parameters, no output schema, and no annotations, the description is too brief. It omits explanations of paste modes, how confirmLargePaste interacts with safeguards, and error handling, leaving significant gaps for safe usage.

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 coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description adds context about large-paste and secret detection but does not elaborate on parameters like confirmLargePaste or mode beyond what the schema already provides.

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 verb 'paste' and the resource 'terminal session', and distinguishes itself from siblings like terminal.type by mentioning safeguards for large pastes and secrets.

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 when to use the tool (when pasting text that may be large or contain secrets) but does not explicitly contrast with alternatives like terminal.type or terminal.keys, leaving usage guidance vague.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.pressA

Press a key or key combination in the terminal. Supports arbitrary key expressions: basic keys (enter, tab, escape, up, down, f1-f12), ctrl combos (ctrl+a through ctrl+z), alt combos (alt+enter), shift combos (shift+tab), and multi-modifier combos (ctrl+shift+f). Legacy hyphenated format (ctrl-c) still works.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
keyYesKey expression. Examples: "enter", "ctrl+a", "ctrl+p", "alt+enter", "shift+tab", "f1", "ctrl+f1". Legacy format "ctrl-c" also works. Use terminal.keys to see common key names.

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It does not mention side effects (e.g., if the key press triggers actions), error conditions (invalid key, dead session), or whether the press is synchronous or returns after the key is processed. This lack of transparency is a significant gap.

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 a single paragraph that front-loads the core purpose and then details supported key expressions efficiently. Every sentence contributes useful information without redundancy.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool is simple with 2 parameters and no output schema. The description adequately explains the input but does not cover return values, error handling, or what happens after pressing the key. Given the simplicity, this is a minor gap; more could be said about expected behavior.

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 coverage is 100% with descriptions for both parameters. The description adds value beyond the schema by providing a comprehensive list of supported key formats, examples, and mentioning legacy format and the terminal.keys tool. This helps the agent understand the range of valid key expressions.

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 'Press a key or key combination in the terminal.' It provides extensive examples and supported formats, distinguishing it from related tools like terminal.type and terminal.mouse_click. The verb 'press' and resource 'key in terminal' are specific and unambiguous.

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 implicitly indicates usage for pressing keys but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives. It references terminal.keys for discovering key names, which helps with correct invocation. However, no exclusions or when-not-to-use guidance is provided.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.provider_capabilitiesC

Return the declared capability matrix for a terminal provider

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
providerYes

TDQS

C2.6/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, and the description does not disclose any behavioral traits (e.g., idempotency, side effects, authentication). The minimal description fails to compensate for the lack of annotations.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

The description is a single sentence with 10 words, which is concise and front-loaded. However, it may be too brief to be fully informative.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The description is incomplete for a tool with one enum parameter and no output schema. It does not explain what a capability matrix is or what the return value looks like, leaving the agent with insufficient context.

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

Parameters1/5

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

The parameter 'provider' has an enum but no description in the schema (0% coverage). The tool description does not explain what 'provider' means or how it affects the returned matrix. This is a significant gap.

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 clearly states the tool returns a 'capability matrix' for a terminal provider, specifying the verb 'Return' and resource 'terminal provider'. It distinguishes from sibling tools that perform actions like starting or killing terminals, though 'capability matrix' is vague.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance is given on when to use this tool versus alternatives like terminal.info or terminal.list. The description lacks any context for selection.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.renameC

Rename a terminal session label

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
labelYesNew session label

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are present, and the description does not disclose any behavioral traits beyond renaming. It does not indicate whether the operation is destructive, requires specific permissions, or has side effects.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

The description is a single concise sentence without fluff. While minimal, it efficiently conveys the core function. Could be improved with more structure, but it's not overly verbose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple rename operation with two parameters and no output schema, the description provides the essential information. However, missing usage context and behavioral details make it barely adequate.

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 coverage is 100% with descriptive parameter descriptions. The tool description does not add additional meaning beyond what is in the schema, so a baseline score of 3 is appropriate.

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 clearly states the verb 'Rename' and the resource 'a terminal session label', making the tool's purpose understandable. However, it could be more specific, e.g., 'Change the display label of an existing terminal session'. It distinguishes from sibling tools like terminal.start or terminal.kill.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, no prerequisites mentioned (e.g., session must be active), and no constraints on label format provided.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.resizeC

Resize an active terminal session

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
colsYes
rowsYes

TDQS

C2.7/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full behavioral burden. It does not disclose that the operation is non-destructive or that it changes terminal dimensions. The description lacks any behavioral context beyond the action itself.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

The description is a single concise sentence that front-loads the core action. It is efficient but perhaps too minimal; however, it avoids unnecessary verbosity.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool has 3 required parameters, no output schema, and no annotations, the description is incomplete. It fails to explain the effect of resizing, the need for an active session, or how to interpret the parameters. More detail is needed for an agent to use it correctly.

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

Parameters2/5

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

Schema description coverage is 33% (only 'sessionId' has a description). The tool description adds no parameter information; it does not explain what 'cols' and 'rows' represent or how they affect the terminal. For a tool with 3 required parameters, this is insufficient.

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 uses a specific verb 'Resize' and resource 'active terminal session', clearly stating the tool's action. However, it does not specify what the resize entails (columns/rows), but it is distinct from sibling tools like 'terminal.start' or 'terminal.kill'.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. There is no mention of prerequisites (e.g., session must be active) or comparison to sibling tools like 'terminal.scroll' or 'terminal.snapshot'.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.scrollA

Scroll terminal viewport up or down by a number of lines.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
directionYesScroll direction
linesYesNumber of lines to scroll

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. It accurately describes the behavior (scrolling up/down) but omits potential side effects, limits (e.g., scrolling beyond content), or error conditions. Adequate but could be more transparent.

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 a single, concise sentence with no filler. It is front-loaded and every word adds value.

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 simple scroll operation with no output schema, the description covers essential information. The context of sibling tools is sufficient, though some edge cases (e.g., behavior at boundaries) could be noted.

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 coverage is 100%, setting a baseline of 3. The description adds little beyond the schema (repeating 'up or down' and 'number of lines'), so it barely meets the baseline.

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 action (scroll), the resource (terminal viewport), and the parameters (direction and line count). It effectively distinguishes from sibling tools like terminal.mouse_scroll and terminal.press.

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 provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It implies scrolling the viewport but lacks explicit context, such as when not to use it or comparisons to similar tools.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.send_signalC

Send a signal semantic to a terminal session process

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
signalYes

TDQS

C2.2/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries full burden for behavioral transparency. It reveals that the tool sends a signal, but does not explain the effects of different signals (e.g., SIGINT vs SIGKILL), whether the session is terminated, or any safety implications. Minimal disclosure.

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

Conciseness3/5

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

The description is a single sentence, which is concise but lacks structure. It does not front-load important information or organize details for easy parsing. Adequate but minimal.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness1/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has no output schema and no annotations. The description does not explain return values, side effects, or prerequisites (e.g., session must be active). For a tool that sends signals, critical context about process behavior is missing.

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

Parameters1/5

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

Schema description coverage is 50%; only sessionId has a description. The description adds no parameter-level details. For signal, the enum values are listed but their semantics are not explained. The description fails to compensate for the missing schema info.

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 'Send a signal semantic to a terminal session process' clearly states the action (send) and the resource (signal semantic to a terminal session process). However, it does not differentiate from sibling tools like terminal.kill, which may have overlapping functionality.

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

Usage Guidelines1/5

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 (e.g., terminal.kill), nor any context about prerequisites or conditions for sending signals. Completely absent.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.snapshotA

Capture current terminal screen state. Terminal output is untrusted observation.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value, do not add prefixes
modeNoSnapshot mode: viewport returns only visible rows; full includes scrollback bufferviewport

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Despite no annotations, the description adds a critical behavioral insight: 'Terminal output is untrusted observation.' This warns agents that the output may be unreliable, which is valuable beyond the schema. However, it does not disclose other traits like side effects 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.

Conciseness5/5

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

Two concise sentences convey the tool's purpose and a key behavioral note with zero waste. Information is front-loaded effectively.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The description covers purpose and a safety note, but lacks details about the output format (e.g., plain text, structured). With no output schema, the agent may be uncertain what to expect from the response.

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 coverage is 100%, so baseline 3 is appropriate. The description does not add extra meaning beyond what the schema already provides for sessionId and mode.

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 clearly states the tool captures current terminal screen state, providing a specific verb and resource. However, it does not explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like terminal.events or terminal.export_transcript, which could be confused with capturing output.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. The note about untrusted output is a caution but does not clarify appropriate contexts or exclusions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.startC

Start a new terminal session

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
commandYesCommand to run. Complex commands containing spaces or shell syntax are automatically wrapped with /bin/sh -c when args is empty.
argsNoCommand arguments
cwdYesWorking directory
colsNoTerminal columns
rowsNoTerminal rows
providerNoPreferred provider
targetNoTerminal target: local or configured SSH profile
envNoExtra environment variables
labelNoSession label
ttlMsNoSession TTL in ms
transcriptNoEnable transcript recording

TDQS

C2.2/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description must disclose behavioral traits but fails to mention that the tool runs a command, creates a persistent session, or any side effects.

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

Conciseness2/5

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

The description is a single sentence but is under-specified for a tool with 11 parameters and nested objects, sacrificing completeness for brevity.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's complexity and lack of output schema, the description does not cover required parameters, return values, or session lifecycle, making it incomplete.

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 coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description adds no additional meaning about parameter usage or relationships beyond the schema.

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

Purpose2/5

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

The description 'Start a new terminal session' is vague; it does not specify that it executes a command or how it differs from sibling tools like terminal.attach.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as terminal.attach or terminal.find, nor any prerequisites or conditions.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.target_infoC

Get redacted SSH target details

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
profileYesSSH profile 名称

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

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 'redacted' implying hidden information but does not specify what is redacted or why. Additionally, it omits behavioral traits like whether the tool requires an active terminal session or authentication, making it inadequate.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

The description is a single concise sentence with no wasted words. However, it may be too brief, bordering on under-specification, but it effectively communicates the core action without verbosity.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given no output schema and no annotations, the description should explain what is returned. 'Redacted SSH target details' is vague; it does not specify fields, format, or example output. For a details-retrieval tool, this is incomplete, especially with many sibling tools relying on context.

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 coverage is 100% for the single parameter 'profile', which is described in the schema as 'SSH profile 名称'. The description does not add any extra meaning beyond the schema, so baseline score of 3 applies.

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 'Get redacted SSH target details' clearly identifies a retrieval action (Get) and the resource (SSH target details). However, it lacks specificity about which target and does not differentiate from similar sibling tools like terminal.targets or terminal.info.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. The description does not mention prerequisites, context, or exclusions, leaving the agent without direction on when to invoke terminal.target_info instead of siblings like terminal.targets (likely listing all targets) or terminal.find.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.targetsA

List available terminal targets (local + configured SSH profiles)

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations provided. The description implies a read-only operation ('List'), which is correct. No additional behavioral details (e.g., auth, rate limits) are disclosed, but the tool is straightforward.

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?

Single sentence, zero wasted words. Highly concise and front-loaded with the verb 'List'.

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 tool with no parameters and no output schema, the description covers the basic purpose. Could be enhanced by mentioning return format (e.g., list of names/IDs) but is otherwise sufficient.

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?

No parameters exist; schema coverage is 100%. Per calibration guidelines, 0 params gets baseline 4. Description adds no parameter info, which is acceptable.

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?

Clearly states 'List available terminal targets' and specifies the scope as 'local + configured SSH profiles', distinguishing it from sibling tools like terminal.list which list sessions.

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?

No explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance. However, the simple purpose implies it is a precursor to starting a terminal session. No exclusions or alternatives mentioned.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.tmux_killA

Kill any tmux session by tmux session name. Requires two calls: first without confirm to preview, then with confirm=true to execute.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameYestmux session name, not MCP sessionId
confirmNoSet to true to confirm the kill. First call without confirm returns a preview; second call with confirm=true executes the kill.
targetNoSSH target. Omit to kill a local tmux session
profileNoSSH profile name shorthand for target

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations provided, so description carries full burden. It discloses the kill action and preview-first pattern but does not detail side effects like session destruction or unsaved work loss. Adequate but not fully transparent.

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: first states purpose, second gives usage pattern. Every word is necessary, no redundancy.

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 good schema coverage (100%), the description covers the core workflow and purpose. Could mention that target is optional (local default) but schema already does. No output schema needed.

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 baseline is 3. The description reinforces the confirm parameter's role but adds no new meaning 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 verb 'Kill' and the resource 'tmux session by tmux session name'. It distinguishes from sibling tools like terminal.kill and terminal.tmux_list by specifying the two-call pattern.

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?

Explicitly describes the two-call workflow: first without confirm to preview, then with confirm=true to execute. This provides clear usage steps but does not mention when not to use or alternative tools.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.tmux_listA

List all tmux sessions on local or configured SSH target

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
targetNoSSH target. Omit to list local tmux sessions
profileNoSSH profile name shorthand for target

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries full burden but adequately describes a read-only operation without side effects. Could mention error handling or output format.

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?

Single sentence with no redundant information; highly efficient and front-loaded.

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 simple list tool without output schema, the description is largely sufficient. Minor gap: no hint about return format (e.g., session names or IDs).

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 description adds no new parameter meaning beyond what's already in the schema. Baseline 3 applies.

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?

Description clearly specifies the action ('List all tmux sessions') and scope ('on local or configured SSH target'), distinguishing it from generic sibling 'terminal.list'.

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?

Implies usage for listing tmux sessions with optional SSH target, but no explicit when-not-to-use or alternatives like 'terminal.tmux_kill'.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.typeB

Type text into a terminal session. Does not append Enter automatically.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
textYesText to type into the terminal

TDQS

B3.4/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden but only discloses that it types text without appending Enter. It omits details such as whether the text appears instantly, how special characters are handled, or if the tool blocks until the typing is complete. More behavioral context is needed.

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 extremely concise with two sentences, no unnecessary information, and the key behavior is front-loaded. Every word earns its place.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the complexity of terminal interactions and the lack of output schema, the description is too minimal. It does not explain how this tool fits with other session tools, whether it returns any result, or how to handle errors (e.g., invalid sessionId). More context is needed for reliable agent use.

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 coverage is 100% with clear parameter descriptions. The description adds the behavioral note about Enter not being appended, which relates to the text parameter. However, this does not significantly enhance meaning beyond the schema, so a baseline score of 3 is appropriate.

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 action ('Type text') and the target resource ('terminal session'), and adds a key specificity: 'Does not append Enter automatically'. This distinguishes it from sibling tools like terminal.paste or terminal.press.

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 when you need to type text into a terminal session, and the hint about Enter helps with expectation, but it does not explicitly state when to use this tool vs. alternatives (e.g., paste for larger blocks, press for special keys) or mention prerequisites like session activity.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.verify_targetA

Verify SSH target profile readiness without opening an SSH connection

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
profileYesSSH profile 名称

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description must disclose behavioral traits. It correctly notes no connection is opened, but does not describe what the verification returns (e.g., success/failure, readiness status), expected side effects, or error cases.

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 a single sentence that efficiently conveys the purpose without unnecessary words or filler.

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 simple tool with one parameter and no output schema, the description provides adequate context. A bit more detail on output would improve completeness, but it suffices for basic understanding.

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% with a parameter description. The tool description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond what the schema provides, meeting the baseline.

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's purpose: verifying SSH target profile readiness. The verb 'Verify' is specific, and the phrase 'without opening an SSH connection' distinguishes it from sibling tools that involve connections.

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 usage context is clear: to check readiness without connecting. However, there is no explicit guidance on when not to use it or mention of alternatives, though the lack of similar siblings reduces the need.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.wait_for_textB

Wait until terminal screen contains text, or matches text as a regex when regex=true.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
textYesText to wait for; treated as regex pattern when regex=true
regexNoTreat text as a regular expression
timeoutMsNoTimeout in milliseconds, default 10000
caseSensitiveNoCase-sensitive match, default true

TDQS

B3.2/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description should disclose behavioral traits beyond the schema. It only states the basic waiting behavior and does not mention timeout handling, polling behavior, error conditions, or return values. The schema covers parameter descriptions, but the description adds no additional behavioral context.

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 a single sentence that efficiently communicates the core purpose. It is front-loaded with the key action and purpose, with no unnecessary words.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The description lacks information about return values, timeout behavior, and differentiation from sibling tools like terminal.wait_stable. Given the tool's complexity (waiting operation with multiple parameters), more context is needed for complete understanding.

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 baseline is 3. The description mentions the regex parameter but does not add any meaning beyond what the schema already provides for sessionId, timeoutMs, or caseSensitive. It adds no new semantic information.

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's action ('wait until terminal screen contains text') and specifies the regex option. It is a specific verb+resource combination that distinguishes it from similar tools like terminal.find (search without waiting) and terminal.wait_stable (wait for screen stability).

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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 such as terminal.find or terminal.wait_stable. It lacks context for decision-making, such as prerequisites or scenarios where regex usage is appropriate.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

terminal.wait_stableA

Wait until terminal screen is stable. Returns current snapshot even on timeout (with timedOut=true).

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sessionIdYesSession ID from terminal.start — use exact value
idleMsNoStable idle window in milliseconds, default 500
timeoutMsNoTimeout in milliseconds, default 5000
snapshotOnTimeoutNoReturn current snapshot with timedOut=true on timeout, default true

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

The description discloses that a snapshot is returned even on timeout with timedOut=true. This adds context beyond the schema. However, it does not explain what 'stable' means or if the tool blocks, though that is implied.

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 a single sentence that conveys the core purpose and a key behavioral trait. No wasted words.

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 simple nature of the tool and the full schema coverage, the description is sufficient. It explains the timeout behavior, which is critical for correct usage.

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?

All parameters have schema descriptions, so the description adds no extra meaning. The description does not elaborate on the parameters beyond what the schema provides, meeting the baseline.

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 waits for terminal stability and describes the timeout behavior. It distinguishes itself from siblings like terminal.snapshot and terminal.wait_for_text by focusing on stability rather than capturing state or specific text.

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?

No explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It is implied for ensuring stability before further interactions, but lacks exclusion criteria or references to siblings like terminal.wait_for_text.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

TDQS

B3.1/5.0
Disambiguation3/5

Most tools are distinct, but several have overlapping functionality: terminal.scroll and terminal.mouse_scroll both control viewport scrolling, terminal.find and terminal.wait_for_text both search screen content, and terminal.type, terminal.paste, terminal.press all send input. This could cause agent confusion.

Naming Consistency3/5

All tools share the 'terminal.' prefix, but the verb patterns are inconsistent: some are imperative verbs (list, kill, start), while others are noun phrases (keys, targets, provider_capabilities). This mix reduces predictability.

Tool Count3/5

With 29 tools, the server offers extensive functionality, but the number is high compared to typical MCP servers. While each tool serves a specific purpose, the surface could be streamlined without losing core capabilities.

Completeness5/5

The tool set covers nearly all aspects of terminal interaction: session management, keystrokes, mouse events, text operations, tmux management, and diagnostics. There are no obvious gaps for its intended use case.

Maintenance

ActivityStale
ResponsivenessNo issues

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