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Softeria

Microsoft 365 MCP Server

by Softeria
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TypeScript
Hybrid

list-contact-folders

list-contact-folders
Read-only

Lists Outlook contact folders to obtain folder IDs for organizing or retrieving contacts. Use to find the default Contacts folder before listing or creating contacts in a specific folder.

Instructions

Get the contact folder collection in the default Contacts folder of the signed-in user.

đź’ˇ TIP: Lists the user's Outlook contact folders (the named buckets that organize contacts). Always includes the built-in 'Contacts' folder; user-created folders also appear. Returns id, displayName, and parentFolderId. To identify the default folder, match displayName === 'Contacts'. Use this before list-contact-folder-contacts or create-contact-in-folder to discover folder ids. Supports OData query parameters.

Input Schema

TableJSON 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().
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.
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
excludeResponseNoExclude the full response body and only return success or failure indication

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 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"
  2. 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."
  3. 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"
+}
  4. Addedv0.134.4
  5. Removedv0.131.2
  6. Addedv0.114.0
  7. Removedv0.112.2
  8. Addedv0.110.0
  9. Removedv0.108.0
  10. Addedv0.105.0

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint and destructiveHint, and the description adds that it always includes the built-in 'Contacts' folder, user-created folders, and returns id, displayName, parentFolderId. It also notes OData support, providing behavioral context beyond the schema.

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 concise, with a clear opening sentence and a focused TIP paragraph. Every sentence adds value, front-loading the purpose and then providing usage guidance.

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?

The description covers what the tool returns, how to use it, and its role in the workflow. It doesn't have an output schema, but it states the returned fields. It's sufficient for a list tool with well-documented parameters.

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 coverage is 100% with detailed parameter descriptions. The description only generically mentions OData support, adding no specific parameter semantics beyond what the schema already provides, so baseline 3 applies.

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 clear purpose: it gets the contact folder collection for the signed-in user, and the TIP clarifies it lists folders with specific fields. It distinguishes from sibling tools like list-contact-folder-contacts by noting it should be used first to discover folder IDs.

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?

It explicitly says to use this tool before list-contact-folder-contacts or create-contact-in-folder, and provides guidance on identifying the default folder. This gives clear when-to-use and alternative routing.

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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