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Parse Rego to AST

rego_parse_ast
Read-onlyIdempotent

Parse Rego source into a JSON AST to programmatically inspect policy packages, imports, rules, expressions, and terms.

Instructions

Parse Rego source to a JSON AST using opa parse. Returns the AST as a tree of nodes (package, imports, rules, expressions, terms). Use this when you need to introspect policy structure programmatically.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sourceYesRego source code to parse.
v0CompatibleNoRead the policy as Rego v0 (`--v0-compatible`), the syntax OPA used before 1.0: rules without `if`, partial sets as `deny[msg] { ... }`. Needed for a policy that has not been migrated, which OPA 1.x otherwise refuses to load. Where the tool also takes a query, the query is read as v0 too, with the future keywords imported so `in`, `every` and `some x in` still work in it.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed1 schema field changedv0.8.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / v0Compatible / description
      Previous value: -"Read the policy as Rego v0 (`--v0-compatible`), the syntax OPA used before 1.0: rules without `if`, partial sets as `deny[msg] { ... }`. Needed for a policy that has not been migrated, which OPA 1.x otherwise refuses to load."New value: +"Read the policy as Rego v0 (`--v0-compatible`), the syntax OPA used before 1.0: rules without `if`, partial sets as `deny[msg] { ... }`. Needed for a policy that has not been migrated, which OPA 1.x otherwise refuses to load. Where the tool also takes a query, the query is read as v0 too, with the future keywords imported so `in`, `every` and `some x in` still work in it."
  2. Changed1 schema field changedv0.7.0
    • addedInput schema / properties / v0Compatible
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Read the policy as Rego v0 (`--v0-compatible`), the syntax OPA used before 1.0: rules without `if`, partial sets as `deny[msg] { ... }`. Needed for a policy that has not been migrated, which OPA 1.x otherwise refuses to load.",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
  3. Addedv0.1.13
  4. Removedv0.1.5
  5. Addedv0.1.2
  6. Removedv0.1.1
  7. First observedv0.1.0

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already establish readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds that output is a node tree, but says nothing about behavior on malformed Rego (parse error vs partial AST) or dependency on the local `opa` binary. Anti-nothing contradictions.

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?

Three short sentences, front-loaded with the action and mechanism, then the return shape, then usage. No filler or redundancy.

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?

With no output schema, the description usefully characterizes the return value as a node tree, and the complex v0Compatible semantics live in the schema. Missing only minor operational detail such as error behavior, which prevents a 5.

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 both `source` and `v0Compatible` are already documented at length in the schema. The description adds no parameter-level meaning beyond that, which is the baseline-3 case.

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?

States a specific verb+resource (parse Rego source) and the concrete mechanism (`opa parse`), plus the output shape (JSON AST tree of package/imports/rules/expressions/terms). It does not explicitly name which sibling it replaces, so it stops 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 Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

"Use this when you need to introspect policy structure programmatically" gives implied usage, but there is no when-not guidance and no contrast with plausible alternatives such as rego_inspect or rego_describe_policy, which an agent could easily confuse for this task.

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