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Setup Passwordless

tm_remote_setup_passwordless

Configure passwordless SSH authentication for a remote host using key-based login, so later commands can run without entering a password.

Instructions

Setup passwordless (tm_remote). Single-host SSH operations with shared connection params.

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cfgNoSSH config path; unset uses ~/.ssh/config.
cmdNoShell command (run_command).
keyNoKey path (test_key_auth/setup_passwordless).
hostNoInventory alias, or a raw hostname with an explicit user.
lcfgNoLocal SSH config (copy_ssh_config).
portNoPort; unset uses the inventory alias, else 22.
rcfgNoRemote SSH config (copy_ssh_config)./root/.ssh/config
userNoUsername; unset uses the inventory alias.
lpathNoLocal file path (send_file/receive_file).
proxyNoTeleport proxy; unset uses the alias.
rpathNoRemote file path (send_file/receive_file).
confirmNoConfirm a destructive action (remove_host_key) without elicitation.
id_fileNoPrivate key path; unset uses the alias.
new_keyNoNew private key path (rotate_key).
timeoutNoCommand timeout in seconds.
key_typeNoKey type: rsa or ed25519 (setup_passwordless/rotate_key).ed25519
certificateNoTeleport certificate; unset uses the alias.
known_hostsNoKnown hosts path (remove_host_key)./root/.ssh/known_hosts
password_refNoRuntime secret reference for the SSH password; unset uses the alias.

Output Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed20 schema fields changedv3.4.6
    • 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."
  2. Addedv3.3.1

TDQS

C2.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

Annotations only declare readOnly=false, openWorld=true, idempotent=false, destructive=false. The description does not disclose what is mutated on the remote (authorized_keys), that password_ref may be required for the initial password auth, whether re-running is safe, or that it touches the network. For a 19-parameter mutation tool, the burden shifts to the description and it does not carry it. No contradiction with annotations.

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?

It is short and front-loaded, but the second sentence is generic boilerplate about the tm_remote family rather than insight about this tool, so a sentence that could clarify behavior instead dilutes the definition.

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?

With 19 optional parameters, a mutating operation, and a long list of closely-related siblings, the description should explain the core flow and the role of the shared connection params. It doesn't. An output schema exists, so return values need not be covered, but the operational story is missing.

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-schema, which sets the baseline at 3. The description adds no meaning beyond those fields, but it is not required to given full coverage.

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

Purpose3/5

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

The description restates the name ("Setup passwordless") and adds only a scope tag, "(tm_remote)", plus "Single-host SSH operations with shared connection params." The single-host qualifier weakly separates it from the tm_inventory_* siblings, but it never says what the tool actually does (generate a keypair, install the public key in the remote's authorized_keys) or how it differs from tm_remote_test_key_auth or tm_inventory_configure_key_auth.

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?

"Single-host" implies a scope, but there is no explicit when-to-use, no prerequisite (e.g. an existing SSH password in password_ref), and no named alternative to choose instead for multi-host or verification workflows among the many sibling tools.

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