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JLKmach

ServiceNow MCP Server

by JLKmach

update_incident

Modify existing ServiceNow incident details like status, priority, assignments, and descriptions to track and resolve issues.

Instructions

Update an existing incident in ServiceNow

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
incident_idYesIncident ID or sys_id
short_descriptionNoShort description of the incident
descriptionNoDetailed description of the incident
stateNoState of the incident
categoryNoCategory of the incident
subcategoryNoSubcategory of the incident
priorityNoPriority of the incident
impactNoImpact of the incident
urgencyNoUrgency of the incident
assigned_toNoUser assigned to the incident
assignment_groupNoGroup assigned to the incident
work_notesNoWork notes to add to the incident
close_notesNoClose notes to add to the incident
close_codeNoClose code for the incident

Implementation Reference

  • The main handler function that implements the logic for the 'update_incident' tool. It resolves the incident ID if given a number, builds the update data from params, and performs a PUT request to the ServiceNow API.
    def update_incident(
        config: ServerConfig,
        auth_manager: AuthManager,
        params: UpdateIncidentParams,
    ) -> IncidentResponse:
        """
        Update an existing incident in ServiceNow.
    
        Args:
            config: Server configuration.
            auth_manager: Authentication manager.
            params: Parameters for updating the incident.
    
        Returns:
            Response with the updated incident details.
        """
        # Determine if incident_id is a number or sys_id
        incident_id = params.incident_id
        if len(incident_id) == 32 and all(c in "0123456789abcdef" for c in incident_id):
            # This is likely a sys_id
            api_url = f"{config.api_url}/table/incident/{incident_id}"
        else:
            # This is likely an incident number
            # First, we need to get the sys_id
            try:
                query_url = f"{config.api_url}/table/incident"
                query_params = {
                    "sysparm_query": f"number={incident_id}",
                    "sysparm_limit": 1,
                }
    
                response = requests.get(
                    query_url,
                    params=query_params,
                    headers=auth_manager.get_headers(),
                    timeout=config.timeout,
                )
                response.raise_for_status()
    
                result = response.json().get("result", [])
                if not result:
                    return IncidentResponse(
                        success=False,
                        message=f"Incident not found: {incident_id}",
                    )
    
                incident_id = result[0].get("sys_id")
                api_url = f"{config.api_url}/table/incident/{incident_id}"
    
            except requests.RequestException as e:
                logger.error(f"Failed to find incident: {e}")
                return IncidentResponse(
                    success=False,
                    message=f"Failed to find incident: {str(e)}",
                )
    
        # Build request data
        data = {}
    
        if params.short_description:
            data["short_description"] = params.short_description
        if params.description:
            data["description"] = params.description
        if params.state:
            data["state"] = params.state
        if params.category:
            data["category"] = params.category
        if params.subcategory:
            data["subcategory"] = params.subcategory
        if params.priority:
            data["priority"] = params.priority
        if params.impact:
            data["impact"] = params.impact
        if params.urgency:
            data["urgency"] = params.urgency
        if params.assigned_to:
            data["assigned_to"] = params.assigned_to
        if params.assignment_group:
            data["assignment_group"] = params.assignment_group
        if params.work_notes:
            data["work_notes"] = params.work_notes
        if params.close_notes:
            data["close_notes"] = params.close_notes
        if params.close_code:
            data["close_code"] = params.close_code
    
        # Make request
        try:
            response = requests.put(
                api_url,
                json=data,
                headers=auth_manager.get_headers(),
                timeout=config.timeout,
            )
            response.raise_for_status()
    
            result = response.json().get("result", {})
    
            return IncidentResponse(
                success=True,
                message="Incident updated successfully",
                incident_id=result.get("sys_id"),
                incident_number=result.get("number"),
            )
    
        except requests.RequestException as e:
            logger.error(f"Failed to update incident: {e}")
            return IncidentResponse(
                success=False,
                message=f"Failed to update incident: {str(e)}",
            )
  • Pydantic BaseModel defining the input parameters and validation schema for the update_incident tool.
    class UpdateIncidentParams(BaseModel):
        """Parameters for updating an incident."""
    
        incident_id: str = Field(..., description="Incident ID or sys_id")
        short_description: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Short description of the incident")
        description: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Detailed description of the incident")
        state: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="State of the incident")
        category: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Category of the incident")
        subcategory: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Subcategory of the incident")
        priority: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Priority of the incident")
        impact: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Impact of the incident")
        urgency: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Urgency of the incident")
        assigned_to: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="User assigned to the incident")
        assignment_group: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Group assigned to the incident")
        work_notes: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Work notes to add to the incident")
        close_notes: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Close notes to add to the incident")
        close_code: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Close code for the incident")
  • Registration of the 'update_incident' tool in the central tool definitions dictionary, linking the handler function, input schema, return type, description, and serialization method.
    "update_incident": (
        update_incident_tool,
        UpdateIncidentParams,
        str,
        "Update an existing incident in ServiceNow",
        "str",
    ),
  • Re-export of the update_incident handler from incident_tools.py in the tools package __init__ for easier imports.
    from servicenow_mcp.tools.incident_tools import (
        add_comment,
        create_incident,
        list_incidents,
        resolve_incident,
        update_incident,
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries full burden for behavioral disclosure. 'Update an existing incident' implies a mutation operation but reveals nothing about permissions required, whether changes are reversible, potential side effects, or response format. For a 14-parameter mutation tool with zero annotation coverage, this leaves critical behavioral aspects undocumented.

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, efficient sentence with zero wasted words. It's appropriately sized for a basic tool description and front-loads the essential information (action + resource). 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?

For a mutation tool with 14 parameters, no annotations, and no output schema, the description is incomplete. It doesn't address behavioral aspects (permissions, side effects), usage context, or return values. The 100% schema coverage helps with parameters, but the overall context for safe and correct tool invocation remains inadequate.

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 description mentions no parameters beyond the implied 'incident_id' from 'existing incident'. With 100% schema description coverage, the schema already documents all 14 parameters thoroughly. The description adds no additional parameter semantics, so it meets the baseline of 3 where the schema does the heavy lifting.

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 ('Update') and resource ('an existing incident in ServiceNow'), making the purpose immediately understandable. It doesn't differentiate from sibling tools like 'create_incident' or 'resolve_incident', but the verb+resource combination is specific enough for basic understanding.

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 like 'create_incident' or 'resolve_incident'. It doesn't mention prerequisites (e.g., needing an existing incident ID) or appropriate contexts for updating versus other incident operations, leaving the agent to infer usage from the tool name alone.

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

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