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Rancher MCP Server

Rancher MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that exposes the Rancher Manager v2.x API to LLM clients. Built on the official mcp Python SDK (FastMCP) with async HTTP via httpx and settings management via pydantic-settings.

Features

  • Bearer-token authentication using a Rancher API key (token-xxx:yyy...).

  • Cluster, project, and node discovery against the /v3 management API.

  • Kubernetes resource queries (namespaces, pods, deployments, pod logs) through Rancher's /k8s/clusters/{cluster_id} proxy.

  • Deployment scaling via strategic-merge PATCH on the /scale subresource.

  • Catalog app listing and on-demand kubeconfig generation.

Related MCP server: MCP Server Sample

Requirements

  • Python 3.10+

  • A Rancher Manager instance reachable over HTTPS.

  • An API token generated from the Rancher UI (Account -> API & Keys). The token must be passed in the full token-xxx:yyy... form.

Installation

pip install -e ".[dev]"

Configuration

Configure the server through environment variables (prefix RANCHER_) or a .env file in the working directory:

Variable

Description

Default

RANCHER_BASE_URL

Rancher Manager base URL (no trailing slash).

https://localhost

RANCHER_API_TOKEN

API token in token-xxx:yyy... format.

(required)

RANCHER_VERIFY_SSL

Verify TLS certificates.

true

RANCHER_TIMEOUT

HTTP timeout in seconds.

60

Running

rancher-mcp

The server speaks MCP over stdio and can be wired into any MCP-capable client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, custom agents, and so on).

Tools

Tool

Description

list_clusters

List all managed clusters.

get_cluster

Fetch one cluster by ID.

list_projects

List projects, optionally scoped to a cluster.

list_nodes

List nodes in a cluster.

list_namespaces

List Kubernetes namespaces via the Rancher proxy.

list_pods

List pods (optionally namespace-scoped).

list_deployments

List Deployments (optionally namespace-scoped).

get_pod_logs

Tail pod logs.

scale_deployment

Scale a Deployment via the /scale subresource.

list_catalog_apps

List catalog apps installed in a cluster.

create_kubeconfig

Generate a kubeconfig for a cluster.

Development

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate
pip install -e ".[dev]"
pytest -x --tb=short
ruff check src tests

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Available Tools

11 tools
create_kubeconfigA

Generate a kubeconfig document for the given cluster.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries full burden. It only states it generates a kubeconfig document but does not disclose any behavioral traits such as side effects, permissions needed, or whether it is read-only or destructive.

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: two sentences with clear front-loading. The first sentence states the purpose, and the second lists the argument. No wasted words.

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 the simplicity of the tool (one parameter) and that an output schema exists, the description covers the core function. However, it lacks any mention of prerequisites, error conditions, or behavior beyond generation, leaving some gaps for a real-world scenario.

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 0% (no descriptions in schema properties), so the tool description must compensate. It adds meaning by noting that 'cluster_id' is a 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier', which goes beyond the schema's type-only definition. For a single parameter, this is sufficient additional context.

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 states 'Generate a kubeconfig document for the given cluster', which is a specific verb and resource. It clearly distinguishes from sibling tools like 'get_cluster' or 'list_clusters', which do not generate kubeconfig documents.

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. It does not mention prerequisites, when not to use, or any context for selection among sibling tools.

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

get_clusterA

Get detailed information about a specific Rancher cluster.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier (e.g. c-abcde).

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

With no annotations, the description must disclose behavioral traits. It states 'get' implying read-only but does not explicitly confirm it is safe, mention permissions, or describe side effects. The description is minimal but adequate for a simple read operation.

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 just two lines: a brief purpose statement and a parameter clarification. Every sentence is necessary and there is no wasted text.

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 tool's simplicity and the presence of an output schema, the description is mostly complete. It covers the parameter well and implies the output. It could mention that the operation is read-only, but overall it is adequate.

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 description coverage is 0% (only title for cluster_id). The description adds a format example (e.g., 'c-abcde') and states 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier,' which provides meaning beyond the schema. This compensates for the lack of schema description.

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 'Get detailed information about a specific Rancher cluster,' which is a specific verb+resource. It distinguishes from sibling tools like list_clusters (which lists all clusters) and others focused on logs, pods, etc.

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 this tool is for retrieving details on one cluster as opposed to listing all clusters (list_clusters), but it does not explicitly state when to use or not use this tool or provide alternatives.

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

get_pod_logsA

Fetch logs from a pod via the Rancher Kubernetes proxy.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier. namespace: Namespace the pod lives in. pod_name: Name of the pod whose logs should be returned. tail_lines: Number of trailing lines to return (default 100).

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
pod_nameYes
namespaceYes
cluster_idYes
tail_linesNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description must cover behavioral traits. It describes the proxy method but does not mention auth requirements, rate limits, or error behavior (e.g., pod not found). The tail_lines parameter is noted but not its limitations. Minimal transparency.

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 concise: a single introductory sentence followed by a clean parameter list. Every sentence adds information. No redundant or verbose phrasing.

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 the tool's simplicity and presence of an output schema, the description covers basic inputs and purpose. However, it lacks context on output format, common errors, or usage scenarios. The Args list is helpful but leaves gaps in overall completeness.

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 input schema has 0% description coverage, but the description's Args section provides meaningful explanations for each parameter: clarifies cluster_id as 'Rancher-assigned', namespace and pod_name roles, and tail_lines default. This adds significant value beyond the schema's bare titles.

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 ('Fetch logs'), the resource ('from a pod'), and the method ('via the Rancher Kubernetes proxy'). This is specific and distinguishes it from sibling tools like list_pods or scale_deployment.

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 explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. The description simply explains the tool's function without indicating prerequisites, when not to use, or comparing with siblings such as list_pods or get_cluster.

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

list_catalog_appsB

List catalog applications installed in a Rancher cluster.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

B3.3/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

Without annotations, the description should disclose whether the operation is read-only, requires permissions, or has side effects. It only says 'list' but does not confirm no mutations or provide any behavioral traits.

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, stating the purpose and parameter in two sentences with no redundant information. It is front-loaded and efficient.

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 tool with one parameter and an output schema, the description covers the basics but lacks details about the output, potential filters, or default behavior. It is minimally complete.

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 adds context to the cluster_id parameter by noting it is a 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier', but does not specify format or provide examples. For a single parameter with 0% schema coverage, this is adequate.

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 lists catalog applications in a Rancher cluster, specifying the required cluster_id. It is distinct from sibling tools that list other resources like clusters or namespaces.

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 guidance is provided; the description does not indicate when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor any prerequisites or caveats.

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

list_clustersA

List all clusters managed by this Rancher server.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.5/5.0
Behavior5/5

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 a read-only list operation with no hidden side effects. The existence of an output schema further covers return values, so transparency is high.

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?

A single, front-loaded sentence of 7 words. Every word is essential; no redundancy. Excellent conciseness for a simple list tool.

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

Completeness5/5

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

Given the tool's simplicity (0 parameters, output schema present), the description is complete. It states the scope (all clusters managed by this Rancher server) and the action. No additional information 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.

Parameters4/5

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

The tool has 0 parameters, so baseline is 4. The description does not add parameter-level details, but none are needed. The schema coverage is trivially 100%.

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 states it lists all clusters managed by this Rancher server, with a specific verb and resource. This distinguishes it from sibling tools like get_cluster (single cluster) and other list_* tools for different resources.

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 listing all clusters but does not explicitly mention when not to use it or provide alternatives. With siblings like get_cluster for specific clusters, the lack of guidance on when to use which is a gap.

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

list_deploymentsB

List Deployments in a cluster, optionally scoped to a namespace.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier. namespace: Optional namespace to filter deployments.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
namespaceNo
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

B3.4/5.0
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 the tool lists deployments, implying a read-only operation, but fails to disclose behavioral details such as permissions required, pagination, error handling, or what happens on invalid inputs.

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 concise, using two lines for the main purpose and a bullet list for parameters. However, the param details could be integrated into the main sentence for better front-loading.

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 the tool's action and parameter usage but lacks context on output behavior (though an output schema exists) and potential errors. It is minimally adequate for a simple tool.

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?

With 0% schema description coverage, the description adds value by explaining 'cluster_id' as 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier' and 'namespace' as 'Optional namespace to filter deployments.' This goes beyond the schema's bare titles.

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 'List Deployments in a cluster, optionally scoped to a namespace.' This provides a specific verb ('list') and resource ('deployments') with scope ('cluster', 'namespace'), effectively distinguishing it from sibling tools like 'scale_deployment' or 'list_clusters'.

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 gives no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor does it mention when not to use it or provide context for choosing among siblings like 'list_pods' or 'list_namespaces'.

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

list_namespacesB

List namespaces in the Kubernetes cluster via the Rancher proxy.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

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 full burden. It mentions 'via the Rancher proxy' but does not disclose authentication needs, rate limits, pagination behavior, or any side effects. Basic behavioral context is missing.

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 short sentences and an args explanation. It is front-loaded and contains no superfluous information.

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 that there is an output schema and only one parameter, the description is somewhat adequate. However, it lacks details on potential pagination, filtering, or response format. For a simple list tool it is minimally acceptable.

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 0%, so the description should add meaning. It explains 'cluster_id' as 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier', which adds minimal context beyond the schema name. No format, constraints, or examples are provided.

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 'List namespaces' and specifies the resource (namespaces) and action (list) via the Rancher proxy. It distinguishes from sibling tools which target different resources (pods, clusters, deployments, etc.).

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. The description only states what it does without mentioning conditions, prerequisites, or exclusions. Usage is implied by resource type but not explicitly stated.

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

list_nodesB

List nodes belonging to a Rancher-managed cluster.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

B3.3/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. It does not disclose any behavioral traits such as pagination, permissions, or side effects. Minimal information beyond the basic operation.

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 no wasted words. Every sentence serves a purpose. It is appropriately sized for a simple list operation.

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?

With an output schema present, return value explanation is not required. However, the description lacks information on prerequisites or how to obtain the cluster_id. It is minimally complete but could be more helpful.

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 0%, but the description adds meaning by explaining that cluster_id is a 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier.' This provides useful context beyond the schema type, though more detail would be beneficial.

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 lists nodes for a Rancher-managed cluster, with a specific verb and resource. It distinguishes from sibling tools like list_clusters or list_pods by focusing on nodes.

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, nor any prerequisites or context. The description only states what it does, not when it's appropriate.

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

list_podsA

List pods in a cluster, optionally scoped to a namespace.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier. namespace: Optional namespace to filter pods.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
namespaceNo
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations exist, so the description must bear the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only states basic functionality and lacks details on authentication, error handling, pagination, or data freshness. For a list operation, more context is expected.

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 and a clean Args list. No extraneous words, front-loaded with the primary action.

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 tool has 2 parameters (1 required) and an output schema, the description is fairly complete for a simple list operation. It could mention typical limits or default behavior, but the core functionality is well-covered.

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 description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate. It adds meaning by explaining cluster_id as 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier' and namespace as 'Optional namespace to filter pods,' which clarifies purpose and optionality beyond the bare 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 explicitly states 'List pods in a cluster' with optional namespace scoping. The verb 'List' and resource 'pods' are clear, differentiating it from sibling tools like list_deployments, list_nodes, etc., which target other resources.

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 use for listing pods but does not state when to use this tool versus alternatives like get_pod_logs or scale_deployment. No explicit when-not or comparison to siblings is provided.

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

list_projectsA

List Rancher projects, optionally filtered by cluster.

Args: cluster_id: Optional cluster ID used to scope the result.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
cluster_idNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations provided, the description bears full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It does not mention side effects, required permissions, rate limits, or other operational characteristics, leaving the agent uninformed.

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 one main sentence and a short Args block. Every word earns its place; no redundancy or fluff.

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 tool's simplicity (one optional param, output schema present), the description is nearly complete. It covers the core action and parameter purpose; only minor missing context about output shape.

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 schema has 0% description coverage, but the description partially compensates by explaining that cluster_id is optional and scopes results. However, it does not specify format or allowed values.

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 lists Rancher projects with an optional cluster filter. It uses a specific verb (list) and resource (projects), and distinguishes from sibling tools like list_clusters or list_namespaces.

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 listing projects with optional filtering but provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor any conditions or exclusions.

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

scale_deploymentB

Scale a Kubernetes Deployment to the given replica count.

Args: cluster_id: Rancher-assigned cluster identifier. namespace: Namespace containing the deployment. name: Deployment name. replicas: Desired replica count.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameYes
replicasYes
namespaceYes
cluster_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

B3.3/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations provided, so description bears full burden. It does not disclose side effects (e.g., rolling update, blocking behavior) or authorization needs, which is critical for a mutation tool.

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?

Description is short and front-loaded with the core action. However, the docstring-style parameter list slightly reduces conciseness, but it remains clear and efficient.

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?

Despite having an output schema (content unknown), the description lacks essential context like prerequisites, error scenarios, or cluster access requirements. For a 4-param mutation tool, it is incomplete.

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 0%, but the description adds meaningful parameter details (e.g., 'Rancher-assigned cluster identifier'), going beyond the schema's simple titles. This compensates well for the lack of schema documentation.

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 states 'Scale a Kubernetes Deployment to the given replica count,' providing a specific verb and resource. This distinguishes it from sibling tools like list_deployments or get_cluster.

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. Lacks context about 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.

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 11 tool updatesv0.1.0
    • First observedcreate_kubeconfig
    • First observedget_cluster
    • First observedget_pod_logs
    • First observedlist_catalog_apps
    • First observedlist_clusters
    • First observedlist_deployments
    • First observedlist_namespaces
    • First observedlist_nodes
    • First observedlist_pods
    • First observedlist_projects
    • First observedscale_deployment

TDQS

A3.7/5.0

Scored across 11 tools

Disambiguation5/5

Each tool targets a distinct resource or action (clusters, kubeconfig, pods, deployments, namespaces, nodes, projects, catalog apps). There is no overlap; even related tools like 'list_clusters' and 'get_cluster' are clearly different operations.

Naming Consistency5/5

All tools follow a consistent verb_noun pattern (create_, get_, list_, scale_). The naming style is uniform and predictable, making it easy for an agent to infer the function of each tool.

Tool Count5/5

With 11 tools, the server is well-scoped for a Rancher management interface. It covers a variety of essential operations without being bloated or too sparse.

Completeness2/5

The tool set is heavily read-oriented (list, get) with only two write operations (create_kubeconfig, scale_deployment). Missing critical CRUD operations for clusters, deployments, and other resources, which limits agent capabilities for full lifecycle management.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessNo issues

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