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Softeria

Microsoft 365 MCP Server

by Softeria

list-mail-messages

list-mail-messages
Read-only

Search and filter Outlook email messages across all folders by sender, subject, date, or keywords to locate messages and view metadata like read status and attachments.

Instructions

List, search, and filter Outlook email messages in the signed-in user's mailbox across all folders. Returns message metadata (subject, from, receivedDateTime, isRead, hasAttachments) plus a body preview. Use $search for keyword queries, $filter to narrow by sender/read state/date, $top to limit page size, and $select to trim fields.

đź’ˇ TIP: List read search my Outlook emails across folders. CRITICAL: When searching emails, the $search parameter value MUST be wrapped in double quotes. Format: $search="your search query here". Use KQL (Keyword Query Language) syntax to search specific properties: 'from:', 'subject:', 'body:', 'to:', 'cc:', 'bcc:', 'attachment:', 'hasAttachments:', 'importance:', 'received:', 'sent:'. Examples: $search="from:john@example.com" | $search="subject:meeting AND hasAttachments:true" | $search="body:urgent AND received>=2024-01-01" | $search="from:john AND importance:high". Remember: ALWAYS wrap the entire search expression in double quotes! Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/search-query-parameter IMPORTANT: Always use $select to limit returned fields and reduce response size. Recommended default: $select=id,subject,from,toRecipients,receivedDateTime,bodyPreview,isRead,hasAttachments. Use bodyPreview instead of body for listings. To read the full email body, use get-mail-message with the specific message id.

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
includeHiddenMessagesNoInclude Hidden Messages

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. Changed1 schema field 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."
  5. Addedv0.131.2
  6. Removedv0.131.2
  7. Addedv0.114.0
  8. Removedv0.112.2
  9. Addedv0.110.0
  10. Removedv0.108.0
  11. Changed16 schema fields changedv0.96.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / count / description
      Previous value: -"Include count of items"New value: +"Set true to enable advanced query mode (ConsistencyLevel: eventual). Required for complex $filter on flag/flagStatus or contains()."
    • 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 / filter / description
      Previous value: -"Filter items by property values"New value: +"OData filter expression. Add $count=true for advanced filters (flag/flagStatus, contains()). Cannot combine with $search."
    • changedInput schema / properties / orderby / description
      Previous value: -"Order items by property values"New value: +"Sort expression, e.g. receivedDateTime desc"
    • removedInput schema / properties / orderby / items
      Removed value: -{
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • changedInput schema / properties / orderby / type
      Previous value: -"array"New value: +"string"
    • changedInput schema / properties / search / description
      Previous value: -"Search items by search phrases"New value: +"KQL search query — wrap value in double quotes. Cannot combine with $filter."
    • 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"
    • changedInput schema / properties / skip / description
      Previous value: -"Skip the first n items"New value: +"Items to skip for pagination. Not supported with $search."
    • removedInput schema / properties / skip / minimum
      Removed value: -0
    • changedInput schema / properties / skip / type
      Previous value: -"integer"New value: +"number"
    • changedInput schema / properties / top / description
      Previous value: -"Show only the first n items"New value: +"Page 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."
    • removedInput schema / properties / top / minimum
      Removed value: -0
    • changedInput schema / properties / top / type
      Previous value: -"integer"New value: +"number"
  12. First observedv0.31.0

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already mark the tool read-only and non-destructive, and the description adds relevant behavior beyond them: it lists messages across all folders, returns only metadata plus a body preview, and recommends bodyPreview over body. It also discloses the KQL quoting requirement, which materially affects behavior. 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?

The description is long but front-loaded: the core purpose and result shape appear first, followed by parameter strategy and critical syntax. The repeated emphasis on quoting and the reference link are slightly redundant, but the density of examples and warnings is justified by the complexity of KQL search.

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 no-output-schema tool, it adequately describes what is returned (listed fields plus body preview) and how to get full content elsewhere. Combined with the schema, which already documents pagination (skip, skiptoken, fetchAllPages) and parameter conflicts, an agent has enough context to call it correctly. It could add folder-level sibling guidance, but that is not essential.

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%, so the schema carries the parameter details, but the description still adds practical meaning: it gives a concrete KQL property list, example expressions, the mandatory double-quote rule, and a recommended $select field set. It does not repeat every parameter, which is appropriate given the rich schema descriptions.

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 opens with a specific verb plus resource and scope: 'List, search, and filter Outlook email messages in the signed-in user's mailbox across all folders.' It names the return shape (metadata plus body preview) and thereby distinguishes itself from siblings like get-mail-message, which returns full bodies, and list-mail-folder-messages, which is folder-scoped.

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?

It gives clear when-to-use guidance: choosing $search, $filter, $top, and $select depending on the task, and it explicitly routes full-body reads to get-mail-message. It stops short of a full when-not list (e.g., it does not mention list-mail-folder-messages for single-folder queries or delta for change tracking), so it is strong but not exhaustive.

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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