Skip to main content
Glama

bear_get_todos

Read-onlyIdempotent

Retrieve all TODO items from a Bear note, including text, completion status, and index for toggling.

Instructions

Get all TODO items from a specific Bear note. Returns each item's text, completion status, and index number (use the index with bear_toggle_todo to toggle items).

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
idYesNote ID (uniqueIdentifier)

Implementation Reference

  • Tool registration via ListToolsRequestSchema handler — exposes all tools (including bear_get_todos) from the tools registry.
    server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => ({
      tools: Object.values(tools).map((t) => t.tool),
    }));
  • Tool dispatch handler — looks up the tool by name (e.g., 'bear_get_todos') and executes it via handler.buildArgs() and execBcliWithReauth().
    server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
      const { name, arguments: input } = request.params;
      const handler = tools[name];
    
      if (!handler) {
        return {
          content: [{ type: "text", text: `Unknown tool: ${name}` }],
          isError: true,
        };
      }
    
      const params = (input ?? {}) as Record<string, unknown>;
    
      // Validate bear_edit_note: need at least one edit operation
      if (name === "bear_edit_note") {
        const hasAppend = params.append_text !== undefined;
        const hasBody = params.body !== undefined;
        const hasSetFm = params.set_frontmatter !== undefined &&
          Object.keys(params.set_frontmatter as object).length > 0;
        const hasRemoveFm = Array.isArray(params.remove_frontmatter) &&
          (params.remove_frontmatter as unknown[]).length > 0;
        const hasFm = hasSetFm || hasRemoveFm;
    
        if (!hasAppend && !hasBody && !hasFm) {
          return {
            content: [
              {
                type: "text",
                text: "Provide 'append_text', 'body', 'set_frontmatter', or 'remove_frontmatter'.",
              },
            ],
            isError: true,
          };
        }
        if (hasAppend && hasBody) {
          return {
            content: [
              {
                type: "text",
                text: "Provide either 'append_text' or 'body', not both.",
              },
            ],
            isError: true,
          };
        }
      }
    
      try {
        const args = handler.buildArgs(params);
        let result: { stdout: string; stderr: string };
    
        // Check if this tool needs stdin piping
        const stdinData = handler.usesStdin?.(params) ?? null;
        if (stdinData !== null) {
          result = await execBcliWithStdinAndReauth(args, stdinData);
        } else {
          result = await execBcliWithReauth(args);
        }
    
        // Parse JSON output from bcli
        const stdout = result.stdout.trim();
        if (!stdout) {
          return {
            content: [{ type: "text", text: "Command completed successfully." }],
          };
        }
    
        // Validate it's JSON and pretty-print
        try {
          const parsed = JSON.parse(stdout);
          return {
            content: [
              { type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(parsed, null, 2) },
            ],
          };
        } catch {
          // If bcli returned non-JSON, pass it through
          return {
            content: [{ type: "text", text: stdout }],
          };
        }
      } catch (error) {
        const message =
          error instanceof BcliError ? error.message : String(error);
        return {
          content: [{ type: "text", text: message }],
          isError: true,
        };
      }
    });
  • Tool definition and handler for 'bear_get_todos' — defines the tool's name, description, input schema (requires 'id'), annotations, and buildArgs function that constructs the CLI command ['todo', noteId, '--json'] to be executed against the bcli binary.
    bear_get_todos: {
      tool: {
        name: "bear_get_todos",
        description:
          "Get all TODO items from a specific Bear note. Returns each item's text, completion status, and index number (use the index with bear_toggle_todo to toggle items).",
        inputSchema: {
          type: "object" as const,
          properties: {
            id: {
              type: "string",
              description: "Note ID (uniqueIdentifier)",
            },
          },
          required: ["id"],
        },
        annotations: {
          readOnlyHint: true,
          destructiveHint: false,
          idempotentHint: true,
        },
      },
      buildArgs: (input) => ["todo", String(input.id), "--json"],
    },
  • Helper that executes the bcli command (built by buildArgs) and handles re-authentication if the session expires.
    export async function execBcliWithReauth(
      args: string[],
    ): Promise<{ stdout: string; stderr: string }> {
      try {
        return await execBcli(args);
      } catch (error) {
        if (error instanceof AuthError) {
          await performReauth();
          return await execBcli(args);
        }
        throw error;
      }
    }
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and idempotentHint=true. Description adds value by detailing return fields (text, completion status, index), which aids agent expectations.

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: first states purpose, second details return and usage. No filler, every word contributes.

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 read tool with one parameter, the description fully covers purpose, return structure, and usage hint. Lack of output schema is compensated by describing return fields.

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?

With 100% schema description coverage, the description reinforces the parameter's meaning (note ID) but does not add novel semantics beyond 'specific Bear note'.

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 verb 'Get' and resource 'all TODO items from a specific Bear note' clearly specify the action and scope. It distinguishes from siblings like bear_list_todos (likely cross-note) and bear_toggle_todo (toggle action).

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 mentions using the returned index with bear_toggle_todo, guiding the agent on how to chain tools. Does not discuss when not to use (e.g., for cross-note todos), but provides clear context.

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

Install Server

Other Tools

Latest Blog Posts

MCP directory API

We provide all the information about MCP servers via our MCP API.

curl -X GET 'https://glama.ai/api/mcp/v1/servers/KuvopLLC/better-bear'

If you have feedback or need assistance with the MCP directory API, please join our Discord server