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Softeria

Microsoft 365 MCP Server

by Softeria

list-contact-folder-child-folders

list-contact-folder-child-folders
Read-only

Get a collection of child folders under the specified contact folder.

Instructions

Get a collection of child folders under the specified contact folder.

đź’ˇ TIP: Lists immediate sub-folders under a given contact folder. Returns id, displayName, parentFolderId. Use list-contact-folders to discover top-level folders, then this tool to traverse one level deeper. Supports $filter, $top, $orderby. Note: contact folders are typically a flat list in Outlook clients, but Graph allows nesting via this endpoint.

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
topNoPage size (Graph $top). Start small (e.g. 5–15) so responses fit the model context; raise only if needed. Use $select to return fewer fields per item. For more rows, use @odata.nextLink from the response instead of a very large $top.
skipNoItems to skip for pagination. Not supported with $search.
countNoSet true to enable advanced query mode (ConsistencyLevel: eventual). Required for complex $filter on flag/flagStatus or contains(). The response then includes @odata.count, the total for the filtered collection, which can exceed the items returned when fetchAllPages hits its page/item cap.
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". Request ordinary fields with $select instead. Some APIs accept only one relationship per request, so prefer a single value. Some relationships support nested selection, e.g. children($select=id,name).
filterNoOData filter expression. Add $count=true for advanced filters (flag/flagStatus, contains()). Cannot combine with $search.
searchNoKQL search query in one pair of double quotes; directory (users/groups) instead quotes each clause with no outer pair. Cannot combine with $filter.
selectNoComma-separated fields to return, e.g. id,subject,from,receivedDateTime
orderbyNoSort expression, e.g. receivedDateTime desc
skiptokenNoNext page: the @odata.nextLink from the previous response. Keep the other arguments the same.
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
contactFolderIdYesValue for the 'contactFolderId' path segment. Pass it under the name 'contactFolderId', not as 'id'. Use the 'id' field of the contact folder object as returned by Microsoft Graph.
excludeResponseNoExclude the full response body and only return success or failure indication

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed2 schema fields changedv0.166.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / count / description
      Previous value: -"Set true to enable advanced query mode (ConsistencyLevel: eventual). Required for complex $filter on flag/flagStatus or contains()."New value: +"Set true to enable advanced query mode (ConsistencyLevel: eventual). Required for complex $filter on flag/flagStatus or contains(). The response then includes @odata.count, the total for the filtered collection, which can exceed the items returned when fetchAllPages hits its page/item cap."
    • changedInput schema / properties / expand / description
      Previous 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."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\". Request ordinary fields with $select instead. Some APIs accept only one relationship per request, so prefer a single value. Some relationships support nested selection, e.g. children($select=id,name)."
  2. Changed11 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 / orderby / anyOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "items": {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "type": "array"
      +  }
      +]
    • removedInput schema / properties / orderby / type
      Removed value: -"string"
    • addedInput schema / properties / select / anyOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "items": {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "type": "array"
      +  }
      +]
    • removedInput schema / properties / select / type
      Removed value: -"string"
    • addedInput schema / properties / skip / minimum
      Added value: +0
    • changedInput schema / properties / skip / type
      Previous value: -"number"New value: +"integer"
    • addedInput schema / properties / top / minimum
      Added value: +0
    • changedInput schema / properties / top / type
      Previous value: -"number"New value: +"integer"
  3. Changed1 schema field changedv0.154.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / skiptoken / description
      Previous value: -"Opaque cursor for the next page, taken from the previous response. Copy the $skiptoken value out of @odata.nextLink (or paste the whole nextLink URL — the token is extracted from it) and resend it with the SAME $filter/$select/$expand/$top as the first call. Use this to walk pages one at a time instead of fetchAllPages. Omit it for the first page."New value: +"Next page: the @odata.nextLink from the previous response. Keep the other arguments the same."
  4. Changed2 schema fields changedv0.153.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / search / description
      Previous value: -"KQL search query — wrap value in double quotes. Cannot combine with $filter."New value: +"KQL search query in one pair of double quotes; directory (users/groups) instead quotes each clause with no outer pair. Cannot combine with $filter."
    • addedInput schema / properties / skiptoken
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Opaque cursor for the next page, taken from the previous response. Copy the $skiptoken value out of @odata.nextLink (or paste the whole nextLink URL — the token is extracted from it) and resend it with the SAME $filter/$select/$expand/$top as the first call. Use this to walk pages one at a time instead of fetchAllPages. Omit it for the first page.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
  5. Addedv0.134.4
  6. Removedv0.131.2
  7. Addedv0.114.0
  8. Removedv0.112.2
  9. Addedv0.110.0
  10. Removedv0.108.0
  11. Addedv0.105.0

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already cover the safety profile (readOnlyHint=true, destructiveHint=false, openWorldHint=true), so the description adds the key behavioral nuance: it returns id, displayName, parentFolderId, and that nesting is unusual for contact folders in Outlook clients. This is useful context beyond annotations, though it does not add much on pagination or rate-limit behavior.

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?

Front-loaded with the operation, then the alternative and caveat. There is mild redundancy between 'Get a collection of child folders under the specified contact folder' and the TIP line restating 'Lists immediate sub-folders under a given contact folder,' which costs a little conciseness.

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?

No output schema exists, but the description names the returned fields (id, displayName, parentFolderId), and the rich schema plus annotations cover parameters and safety. For a 13-param list tool this is nearly complete, with only minor gaps on pagination/response shape details not restated in prose.

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 all 13 parameters are already fully documented in the schema. The description's mention of $filter/$top/$orderby adds nothing beyond what the schema already states, so the baseline 3 is appropriate.

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?

States a specific verb and resource ('Get a collection of child folders under the specified contact folder') and distinguishes itself from the sibling list-contact-folders by describing 'immediate sub-folders' and the one-level-deeper traversal. An agent can tell it apart from list-contact-folders and list-contact-folder-contacts without opening a schema.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

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

Explicitly routes the agent: 'Use list-contact-folders to discover top-level folders, then this tool to traverse one level deeper.' It also preempts a likely confusion by noting contact folders are typically flat in Outlook clients but Graph allows nesting via this endpoint, which is genuine when-to-use/when-not guidance.

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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