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QTM4J: Create Test Cycle

qtm4j_create_test_cycle

Create a new test cycle with summary, priority, status, labels, components, and planned dates. Auto-resolves human-readable names for priority and status.

Instructions

Create a new test cycle in a QTM4J project. Supports auto-resolving human-readable names for priority and status. Always creates in the 'MCP Generated' folder. projectId is injected automatically from the active project context.

Toolset: Test Cycles

Parameters:

  • summary (string) required: Short title of the test cycle. Must not be blank. Max 255 chars.

  • description (string): Detailed description of the test cycle. Max 65 535 characters.

  • priority (string): Priority name (e.g., 'High', 'Medium', 'Low'). Auto-resolved to ID.

  • status (string): Status name (e.g., 'To Do', 'In Progress', 'Done'). Auto-resolved to ID.

  • assignee (string): Assignee account ID

  • reporter (string): Reporter account ID

  • labels (array): List of label names (e.g., ['Release_1', 'Sprint 1']). Auto-resolved to IDs.

  • components (array): List of component names (e.g., ['UI', 'Cloud']). Auto-resolved to IDs.

  • plannedStartDate (string): Planned start date. Format: 'dd/MMM/yyyy HH:mm' e.g. '10/May/2026 00:00'. Must be ≤ plannedEndDate when both are provided.

  • plannedEndDate (string): Planned end date. Format: 'dd/MMM/yyyy HH:mm' e.g. '15/May/2026 00:00'. Must be ≥ plannedStartDate when both are provided.

Output Description: JSON object with the new test cycle's id and key (e.g. 'TRWT-TR-218'). Warnings included if any fields were skipped.

Use Cases: 1. Create a test cycle with summary, priority, status, labels, or components 2. Set planned start and end dates on a new test cycle

Examples:

  1. Create a simple test cycle (project must be set via set_project_context first)

{
  "summary": "Smoke Test Cycle"
}

Expected Output: Test cycle created with key 'SCRUM-TR-xxx'

  1. Create a test cycle with priority, status, labels, and components

{
  "summary": "Regression Suite – Sprint 42",
  "description": "End-to-end regression covering payment and checkout modules.",
  "priority": "High",
  "status": "To Do",
  "labels": [
    "Release_1",
    "Sprint 1"
  ],
  "components": [
    "UI",
    "Cloud"
  ],
  "plannedStartDate": "10/May/2026 00:00",
  "plannedEndDate": "15/May/2026 00:00"
}

Expected Output: Test cycle created with resolved priority, status, labels, and components

Hints: 1. PREREQUISITE: set_project_context must be called before this tool. NEVER auto-select a project. 2. If any priority, status, label, or component name cannot be resolved, the cycle is still created but a warning is returned. Suggest the closest available value from the set_project_context response and ask the user to confirm before retrying. 3. All cycles are placed in the 'MCP Generated' folder — do not pass folderId. 4. Date format: 'dd/MMM/yyyy HH:mm' e.g. '10/May/2026 00:00'. Month must be capitalised. plannedStartDate must be ≤ plannedEndDate.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
labelsNoList of label names (e.g., ['Release_1', 'Sprint 1']). Auto-resolved to IDs.
statusNoStatus name (e.g., 'To Do', 'In Progress', 'Done'). Auto-resolved to ID.
summaryYesShort title of the test cycle. Must not be blank. Max 255 chars.
assigneeNoAssignee account ID
priorityNoPriority name (e.g., 'High', 'Medium', 'Low'). Auto-resolved to ID.
reporterNoReporter account ID
componentsNoList of component names (e.g., ['UI', 'Cloud']). Auto-resolved to IDs.
descriptionNoDetailed description of the test cycle. Max 65 535 characters.
plannedEndDateNoPlanned end date. Format: 'dd/MMM/yyyy HH:mm' e.g. '15/May/2026 00:00'. Must be ≥ plannedStartDate when both are provided.
plannedStartDateNoPlanned start date. Format: 'dd/MMM/yyyy HH:mm' e.g. '10/May/2026 00:00'. Must be ≤ plannedEndDate when both are provided.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
idYesOpaque permanent identifier of the created test cycle. Use this in all subsequent API calls.
keyYesHuman-readable project-scoped key in format '<PROJECT_KEY>-TR-<number>'. e.g. 'TRWT-TR-218'.
Behavior4/5

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

Adds context beyond annotations: always creates in 'MCP Generated' folder, auto-resolves names, returns warnings for unresolvable fields, and handles date constraints. 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.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

Well-structured with sections for overview, parameters, output, use cases, examples, and hints. Slightly lengthy due to comprehensive parameter descriptions, but each section earns its place.

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?

Covers prerequisites, behavioral nuances, date constraints, warning handling, and includes examples. Output schema exists, so return values are sufficiently documented. Complete for a 10-parameter 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?

Schema coverage is 100%, but description adds value by explaining auto-resolution behavior, date format specifics, and grouping parameters. Provides examples that illustrate parameter combinations.

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 'Create a new test cycle in a QTM4J project' with specific details like auto-resolving names and always creating in the 'MCP Generated' folder. It distinguishes from siblings (e.g., qtm4j_update_test_cycle).

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 states prerequisite (set_project_context) and provides use cases, examples, and hints. Lacks explicit when-not-to-use but strongly implies context via prerequisites and folder constraints.

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

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