Stops and removes an active file system watcher by its watcher ID, preventing further change events and freeing associated resources.
Remove an active file system watcher
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| watcher_id | Yes | ID of the watcher to remove |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v8.0.4Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations exist, so the description carries the full behavioral burden. It does not state whether removal is immediate/irreversible, whether it errors on an unknown or already-removed watcher_id, or whether in-flight events are dropped — all material facts for a destructive operation.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
A single front-loaded sentence with no filler or redundancy. It is lean to the point of under-specification, but nothing in it is wasted.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a destructive tool with zero annotations and no output schema, the description omits irreversibility, error behavior, and how to obtain a valid watcher_id. An agent has to guess at the failure modes before invoking it.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% and the single parameter is documented as 'ID of the watcher to remove'. The description adds no format, source, or validation detail beyond that, so the baseline 3 applies.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
States a specific verb ('Remove') and resource ('an active file system watcher'), which cleanly distinguishes it from add_file_watch and list_file_watches by name. It stops short of explicit sibling routing, but the operation itself is unambiguous.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Usage is implied by the deletion verb, but the description never says when to use this versus list_file_watches to discover a valid ID, nor what happens if the watcher is already gone. No exclusion or prerequisite guidance is given.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.