Tunnel Manager

Remove Host Key

tm_remote_remove_host_key

DestructiveIdempotent

Removes a stale SSH host key from known_hosts for a specified remote host, resolving host key verification conflicts before reconnecting.

Instructions

Remove host key (tm_remote). Single-host SSH operations with shared connection params.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`cfg`	No	SSH config path; unset uses ~/.ssh/config.
`cmd`	No	Shell command (run_command).
`key`	No	Key path (test_key_auth/setup_passwordless).
`host`	No	Inventory alias, or a raw hostname with an explicit user.
`lcfg`	No	Local SSH config (copy_ssh_config).
`port`	No	Port; unset uses the inventory alias, else 22.
`rcfg`	No	Remote SSH config (copy_ssh_config).	/root/.ssh/config
`user`	No	Username; unset uses the inventory alias.
`lpath`	No	Local file path (send_file/receive_file).
`proxy`	No	Teleport proxy; unset uses the alias.
`rpath`	No	Remote file path (send_file/receive_file).
`confirm`	No	Confirm a destructive action (remove_host_key) without elicitation.
`id_file`	No	Private key path; unset uses the alias.
`new_key`	No	New private key path (rotate_key).
`timeout`	No	Command timeout in seconds.
`key_type`	No	Key type: rsa or ed25519 (setup_passwordless/rotate_key).	ed25519
`certificate`	No	Teleport certificate; unset uses the alias.
`known_hosts`	No	Known hosts path (remove_host_key).	/root/.ssh/known_hosts
`password_ref`	No	Runtime secret reference for the SSH password; unset uses the alias.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed20 schema fields changedv3.4.6Oct 31, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / certificate / default
```
Previous value: -""New value: +null
```

changedInput schema / properties / certificate / description

Previous value: -"Teleport certificate."New value: +"Teleport certificate; unset uses the alias."

addedInput schema / properties / cfg / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "null"
+  }
+]

changedInput schema / properties / cfg / default

Previous value: -"/root/.ssh/config"New value: +null

changedInput schema / properties / cfg / description

Previous value: -"SSH config path."New value: +"SSH config path; unset uses ~/.ssh/config."

removedInput schema / properties / cfg / type
```
Removed value: -"string"
```

addedInput schema / properties / confirm

Added value: +{
+  "default": false,
+  "description": "Confirm a destructive action (remove_host_key) without elicitation.",
+  "type": "boolean"
+}

changedInput schema / properties / host / description

Previous value: -"Remote host."New value: +"Inventory alias, or a raw hostname with an explicit user."

changedInput schema / properties / id_file / default

Previous value: -"/app/.ssh/id_ed25519"New value: +null

changedInput schema / properties / id_file / description

Previous value: -"Private key path."New value: +"Private key path; unset uses the alias."

changedInput schema / properties / password_ref / default
```
Previous value: -""New value: +null
```

changedInput schema / properties / password_ref / description

Previous value: -"Runtime secret reference for the SSH password."New value: +"Runtime secret reference for the SSH password; unset uses the alias."

addedInput schema / properties / port / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "type": "integer"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "null"
+  }
+]

changedInput schema / properties / port / default
```
Previous value: -22New value: +null
```

changedInput schema / properties / port / description

Previous value: -"Port."New value: +"Port; unset uses the inventory alias, else 22."

removedInput schema / properties / port / type
```
Removed value: -"integer"
```
changedInput schema / properties / proxy / default
```
Previous value: -""New value: +null
```

changedInput schema / properties / proxy / description

Previous value: -"Teleport proxy."New value: +"Teleport proxy; unset uses the alias."

changedInput schema / properties / user / default
```
Previous value: -""New value: +null
```

changedInput schema / properties / user / description

Previous value: -"Username."New value: +"Username; unset uses the inventory alias."

Addedv3.3.1Oct 21, 2026

TDQS

C2.9/5.0

Behavior2/5

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

The annotations already declare destructiveHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and openWorldHint=true, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds no further behavioral context such as which known_hosts file is affected, whether confirmation is required, or what exactly gets removed.

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 short and front-loads the action: 'Remove host key (tm_remote).' The second sentence is somewhat generic boilerplate, but the overall structure is efficient and wastes little space.

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 destructive tool with 19 parameters, the description is too thin. Even though annotations and schema are rich, it does not mention the host-key storage target, the confirm behavior, or how host selection relates to the operation, leaving important context to the schema alone.

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 all 19 parameters are documented in the schema itself. The description only mentions 'shared connection params' and adds no extra parameter meaning beyond what the schema already provides, which matches the baseline of 3 for high schema coverage.

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 states a specific verb and resource: 'Remove host key,' so the action is immediately clear. It identifies the tm_remote module but does not differentiate from siblings such as tm_remote_rotate_key or tm_remote_check_ssh, which is why it falls short of a 5.

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?

It gives no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like rotate_key or check_ssh. The phrase 'Single-host SSH operations with shared connection params' implies context but does not tell the agent when removal is appropriate or what prerequisites exist.

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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