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Softeria

Microsoft 365 MCP Server

by Softeria
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TypeScript
Hybrid

get-mail-message

get-mail-message
Read-only

Fetch a single Outlook email using its message ID to view full subject, sender, recipients, body, and attachment flags. Obtain the message ID from list-mail-messages.

Instructions

Get a single Outlook email message by its message ID, including full subject, sender, recipients, body, and attachment flags. Use list-mail-messages first to obtain the message ID.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
expandNoNavigation properties to inline, e.g. attachments on a message or event. Only navigation properties can be expanded: expanding a non-navigation property such as a message body fails with "Parsing OData Select and Expand failed", and an unsupported value may be ignored rather than reported. Request ordinary fields with $select instead.
selectNoComma-separated fields to return, e.g. id,subject,from,receivedDateTime
messageIdYesValue for the 'messageId' path segment. Pass it under the name 'messageId', not as 'id'. Use the 'id' field of the message object as returned by Microsoft Graph.
fetchAllPagesNoFollow @odata.nextLink and merge up to 100 pages into one response. Can return enormous payloads—only when the user explicitly needs a full export. Prefer a small $top first, then paginate or narrow with $filter/$search.
includeHeadersNoInclude response headers (including ETag) in the response metadata
excludeResponseNoExclude the full response body and only return success or failure indication

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed5 schema fields changedv0.154.2
    • addedInput schema / properties / expand / anyOf
      Added value: +[
+  {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  {
+    "items": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "type": "array"
+  }
+]
    • removedInput schema / properties / expand / items
      Removed value: -{
-  "type": "string"
-}
    • removedInput schema / properties / expand / type
      Removed value: -"array"
    • addedInput schema / properties / select / anyOf
      Added value: +[
+  {
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  {
+    "items": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "type": "array"
+  }
+]
    • removedInput schema / properties / select / type
      Removed value: -"string"
  2. Changed2 schema fields changedv0.134.4
    • changedInput schema / properties / expand / description
      Previous value: -"Expand related entities"New value: +"Navigation properties to inline, e.g. attachments on a message or event. Only navigation properties can be expanded: expanding a non-navigation property such as a message body fails with \"Parsing OData Select and Expand failed\", and an unsupported value may be ignored rather than reported. Request ordinary fields with $select instead."
    • changedInput schema / properties / messageId / description
      Previous value: -"Path parameter: messageId"New value: +"Value for the 'messageId' path segment. Pass it under the name 'messageId', not as 'id'. Use the 'id' field of the message object as returned by Microsoft Graph."
  3. Addedv0.131.2
  4. Removedv0.131.2
  5. Addedv0.114.0
  6. Removedv0.112.2
  7. Addedv0.110.0
  8. Removedv0.108.0
  9. Changed4 schema fields changedv0.96.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / fetchAllPages / description
      Previous value: -"Automatically fetch all pages of results"New value: +"Follow @odata.nextLink and merge up to 100 pages into one response. Can return enormous payloads—only when the user explicitly needs a full export. Prefer a small $top first, then paginate or narrow with $filter/$search."
    • changedInput schema / properties / select / description
      Previous value: -"Select properties to be returned"New value: +"Comma-separated fields to return, e.g. id,subject,from,receivedDateTime"
    • removedInput schema / properties / select / items
      Removed value: -{
-  "type": "string"
-}
    • changedInput schema / properties / select / type
      Previous value: -"array"New value: +"string"
  10. First observedv0.31.0

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is covered outside the description. The description adds the returned fields and the prerequisite workflow, which is useful context, but it does not disclose behavior such as error cases, missing messages, or response envelope format. With annotations carrying the safety burden, a 3 is appropriate.

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 two sentences with no filler: the first states the operation and scope, the second gives the required prerequisite. Every sentence earns its place, and the key scoping information is front-loaded.

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 operation with read-only annotations, a fully-documented six-parameter schema, and a clear prerequisite, the description is largely complete. It does not describe absence/error behavior or return envelope details, but nothing critical is missing for an agent to select and invoke the tool correctly.

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 the baseline is 3 and the schema already documents all six parameters in detail. The description adds only a contextual hint that messageId comes from list-mail-messages, which is minor redundant guidance rather than new parameter semantics.

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 a specific verb ('Get'), a precise resource ('a single Outlook email message'), and the key identifier ('message ID'). It also enumerates the returned content (subject, sender, recipients, body, attachment flags), which clearly distinguishes it from sibling tools like get-mail-message-mime or list-mail-messages.

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 explicitly tells the agent to call list-mail-messages first to obtain the message ID, which is a clear usage sequence. It does not mention when to prefer alternatives like get-mail-message-mime or when direct ID lookup is inappropriate, but the prerequisite guidance is valuable and unambiguous.

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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