Skip to main content
Glama

OpenROAD MCP Server

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides tools for interacting with OpenROAD and ORFS.

About OpenROAD MCP

New here? Check out the Quick Start Guide to get your AI assistant analyzing designs in 5 minutes.

OpenROAD MCP eliminates the barrier between your AI assistant and physical design by connecting Claude, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible clients directly to the OpenROAD layout tools.

OpenROAD is the leading open-source, foundational application for semiconductor digital design, delivering an Autonomous, No-Human-In-Loop (NHIL) flow from RTL-GDSII. OpenROAD-flow-scripts (ORFS) is the fully autonomous flow built around it.

With this MCP server, your AI assistant can:

  • Execute Commands - Run interactive OpenROAD sessions with full PTY support.

  • Manage Sessions - Create, list, inspect, and terminate multiple physical design sessions.

  • Track History & Metrics - Access full command history and performance metrics for analysis.

  • Visualize Reports - List and read report images from ORFS runs directly in the chat.

Related MCP server: MCP Server

Demo

OpenROAD MCP Demo

Watch full demo video

Requirements & Installation

To use this MCP server, you need the server runtime, plus the underlying OpenROAD layout tools.

1. Server Runtime

  • Node.js 22+ is required to run the npx distribution.

2. OpenROAD

OpenROAD must be installed and available in your PATH.

3. OpenROAD-flow-scripts (ORFS)

ORFS is optional but highly recommended for complete RTL-to-GDS flows and report visualization.

Configuration

For platform-specific Node.js and C++ toolchain setup instructions, see the Cross-Platform Build Guide.

You do not need to clone this repo or pass path environment variables in the common case. The published npx package does not read a .env file.

On startup the server inherits the MCP client's environment, then fills PATH the same way which openroad would: current PATH, then your login-shell PATH, then common install locations (/opt/homebrew/bin, conda, local OpenROAD builds). ORFS_FLOW_PATH defaults to ~/OpenROAD-flow-scripts/flow, and is also detected when ORFS sits next to the openroad binary.

Supported MCP Clients

Here is the standard base configuration used across most clients:

{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "openroad-mcp"]
}

Find your specific client below for the exact configuration snippet and file location.

claude mcp add --transport stdio openroad-mcp -- npx -y openroad-mcp

Or add the standard config to .mcp.json / .claude/settings.json.

If a GUI-launched client still cannot find openroad, pass an override. Use command -v so you do not hard-code paths:

claude mcp add \
  --env PATH="$(dirname "$(command -v openroad)"):${PATH}" \
  --env ORFS_FLOW_PATH="${HOME}/OpenROAD-flow-scripts/flow" \
  --transport stdio openroad-mcp \
  -- npx -y openroad-mcp

Put --transport between --env and the server name so the CLI does not treat the name as another KEY=value pair.

Add the standard config to:

  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Add the standard config to .cursor/mcp.json.

Add to .vscode/mcp.json. Requires "type": "stdio":

{
  "servers": {
    "openroad-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "openroad-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Add the standard config to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.

Add the standard config to cline_mcp_settings.json (Cline) or .roo/mcp.json (Roo Code).

Add to your respective config.json under modelContextProtocolServers:

{
  "transport": {
    "type": "stdio",
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "openroad-mcp"]
  }
}

Add to ~/.config/zed/settings.json:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "openroad-mcp": {
      "command": {
        "path": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "openroad-mcp"]
      }
    }
  }
}

The server is available on the MCP Registry and via Docker:

docker run --rm -i ghcr.io/the-openroad-project/openroad-mcp:latest

Most other standard STDIO clients are fully supported. Refer to your tool's MCP setup guide.

Available Tools

Once configured, your AI assistant will have access to the following tools. For detailed parameters, schemas, and return formats, see the API Reference.

  • interactive_openroad_query

  • interactive_openroad_exec

  • create_interactive_session

  • list_interactive_sessions

  • terminate_interactive_session

  • inspect_interactive_session

  • get_session_history

  • get_session_metrics

  • list_report_images

  • read_report_image

Troubleshooting

  • The server fails to start: Ensure you have Node.js 22+. Older versions will fail.

  • Session creation fails: Confirm command -v openroad works in a terminal. The server inherits PATH and searches common install locations; if your prefix is unusual, pass PATH with --env as shown in the Claude Code section.

  • Commands rejected with CommandBlocked: You sent a state-modifying command to interactive_openroad_query. Use interactive_openroad_exec instead.

  • Report images not found: The server defaults to ~/OpenROAD-flow-scripts/flow. If ORFS lives elsewhere, set ORFS_FLOW_PATH in the MCP client's env block (not a .env file).

To get more detail, set LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG in the server's environment.

Development

Clone the repository. .env.example is a local-dev reference only; copy it to .env if you use direnv or similar. The server still reads process.env (the MCP client's env block), not the file.

Then run:

cd typescript
npm install
npm run build

Testing:

npm run test             # unit tests
npm run test:integration # integration tests
npm run test:performance # performance benchmarks

Linting & type checking:

npm run typecheck
npm run lint

Contributing

We welcome contributions! Please see CONTRIBUTING.md for detailed instructions on our development workflow and code standards.

License

BSD 3-Clause License. See LICENSE file.


Built with ❤️ by Precision Innovations

Available Tools

10 tools
create_interactive_sessionC

Create a new interactive OpenROAD session.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
session_idNo
commandNo
envNo
cwdNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

C2.8/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

Annotations are unhelpful (all false) and the description does not disclose side effects, resource allocation, or required permissions. It merely states 'Create', which is already obvious from the name, and adds no behavioral context beyond the 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 a single sentence with no unnecessary words. It is appropriately concise, though it sacrifices completeness for brevity.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a tool with four parameters, no schema descriptions, and no usage guidance, the description is insufficient. It does not explain output behavior or return value, despite having an output schema. The description lacks necessary context for correct use.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters1/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The description does not explain any of the four parameters (cwd, env, command, session_id). Schema description coverage is 0%, and the description fails to compensate, leaving the agent with no insight into parameter meaning or usage.

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 the verb 'Create' and the resource 'new interactive OpenROAD session', which distinguishes it from sibling tools like terminate_interactive_session and list_interactive_sessions. It is specific and unambiguous.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool, prerequisites, or when not to use it. It does not mention any alternatives or context for invocation.

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

get_session_historyC
Read-onlyIdempotent

Get command history for an interactive OpenROAD session.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
session_idYes
limitNo
searchNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already indicate read-only, safe operations. The description adds the session context but omits behavioral details like behavior on invalid session IDs or performance implications.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness3/5

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

Single sentence with no excess, but too sparse to provide useful guidance. Could include key details without becoming verbose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Despite an output schema existing, the description lacks context on when history is available, how it relates to sibling tools, and limitations like pagination or size limits.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters1/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, and the description does not explain any of the three parameters (limit, search, session_id). The agent must infer meaning from parameter names alone.

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 the tool retrieves command history for an interactive OpenROAD session, distinguishing it from siblings like get_session_metrics or inspect_interactive_session.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance on when to use this tool vs alternatives. The description does not mention prerequisites, such as requiring an active session, or contrast with similar tools.

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

get_session_metricsB
Read-onlyIdempotent

Get comprehensive metrics for all interactive OpenROAD sessions.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

B3.3/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint, so the description adds only 'comprehensive metrics for all sessions,' without further behavioral detail (e.g., performance impact, whether sessions must be active). The description does not contradict annotations.

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 a single, concise sentence with no extraneous words, directly stating the tool's purpose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given zero parameters, output schema exists, and annotations are present, the description covers the core purpose. However, it lacks details about the metrics scope (e.g., active vs. all sessions) and does not reference the output schema for completeness.

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?

No parameters exist (100% schema coverage), and the description adds no semantic detail beyond the schema's implicit meaning. Baseline score of 3 is appropriate.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool gets 'comprehensive metrics for all interactive OpenROAD sessions,' which distinguishes it from siblings like get_session_history (per-session history) and list_interactive_sessions (just listing). However, it does not explicitly differentiate from inspect_interactive_session, which might also provide metrics.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as list_interactive_sessions or get_session_history. The description lacks explicit context for selection or exclusion criteria.

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

inspect_interactive_sessionA
Read-onlyIdempotent

Get detailed inspection data for an interactive OpenROAD session.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
session_idYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
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 description adds minimal behavioral context. It does not elaborate on what data is returned or any side effects, but it does not contradict 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 a single concise sentence with no redundancy. However, it could be slightly expanded to add parameter context without losing conciseness.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the low complexity (1 param, output schema present), the description is adequate but lacks guidance on how to obtain the session_id or what 'detailed inspection data' specifically includes. It meets minimum viability.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The only parameter session_id is described by its type but the description does not explain its purpose or origin (e.g., from list_interactive_sessions). With 0% schema description coverage, the description should compensate but does not.

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 the action (Get) and the resource (detailed inspection data for an interactive OpenROAD session). It distinguishes this tool from siblings like get_session_history or get_session_metrics by using 'detailed inspection data'.

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

Usage Guidelines3/5

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

The description provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It does not mention prerequisites or scenarios, leaving the agent to infer from the purpose.

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

interactive_openroad_execA
Destructive

Execute a state-modifying OpenROAD command (set_*, create_*, read_*, write_*, flow commands).

Use this for loading designs, running placement/routing, applying constraints, and writing output files. Read-only commands are blocked — use interactive_openroad_query instead.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
commandYes
session_idNo
timeout_msNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already indicate destructive hint. The description adds context by specifying state-modifying nature, listing command types (set_*, create_*, etc.) and use cases (loading designs, placement/routing), enhancing transparency.

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?

Two concise sentences with effective front-loading: the first states the core function, the second gives usage context and alternative tool. No unnecessary words.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Despite good purpose and usage guidelines, the description lacks parameter explanations and does not cover session management or timeout behavior. With three parameters and no schema description, the tool is incompletely documented for correct invocation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters1/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The description provides no information about the three parameters (command, session_id, timeout_ms). Schema description coverage is 0%, and the description fails to compensate, leaving the agent without guidance on parameter usage.

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 the tool executes state-modifying OpenROAD commands and lists examples, distinguishing it from the sibling query tool by explicitly excluding read-only commands.

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 provides when to use (state-modifying commands) and when not (read-only commands), directing to interactive_openroad_query as the alternative.

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

interactive_openroad_queryA
Read-only

Execute a read-only OpenROAD command (report_*, get_*, check_*, sta, help, etc.).

Use this for querying design state, generating reports, and inspecting timing. Commands that modify design state are blocked — use interactive_openroad_exec instead.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
commandYes
session_idNo
timeout_msNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.1/5.0
Behavior5/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, and the description reinforces that by stating modifying commands are blocked. It also names the sibling for mutable operations, adding context beyond annotations. No contradiction.

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?

Two focused sentences: first defines the tool and lists example commands, second provides usage boundaries and alternative. No extraneous information; every word adds value.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool has an output schema (context indicates present) and 3 parameters, yet the description omits output semantics and parameter details. While purpose and usage are clear, the lack of parameter documentation leaves the description incomplete for an agent to correctly invoke the tool without additional inference.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters1/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has 3 parameters (command, session_id, timeout_ms) with 0% schema description coverage. The description does not mention or explain any of these parameters, leaving the agent with no semantic guidance beyond the schema types.

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 the tool executes read-only OpenROAD commands, lists examples (report_*, get_*, check_*, sta, help), and explicitly contrasts with the sibling tool interactive_openroad_exec for mutable commands. This leaves no ambiguity about purpose.

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?

The description explicitly tells when to use the tool (for querying design state, generating reports, inspecting timing) and when not to (commands that modify design state), directing to the alternative sibling. This provides complete guidance.

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

list_interactive_sessionsA
Read-onlyIdempotent

List all active interactive OpenROAD sessions.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, so the safe, read-only nature is clear. The description adds 'active interactive' scope but does not disclose any further behavior like pagination, error handling, or rate limits.

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 a single, concise sentence with no extraneous words. Every word is necessary to convey the purpose.

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?

Given the tool's simplicity (no parameters, rich annotations, and an output schema), the description is mostly complete. It could hint at the output format, but the existence of an output schema covers that. The description adequately captures the tool's core function.

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?

There are zero parameters, and the schema coverage is 100%. The description confirms the resource is 'all active interactive OpenROAD sessions', which adds meaning beyond the empty schema. Baseline for 0 parameters is 4.

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 the tool lists all active interactive OpenROAD sessions. It uses a specific verb 'List' and identifies the resource, distinguishing it from sibling tools like create_interactive_session or terminate_interactive_session.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It does not mention any conditions, exclusions, or related tools, leaving the agent to infer usage from the name alone.

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

list_report_imagesB
Read-onlyIdempotent

List available report images from ORFS runs organized by stage.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
platformYes
designYes
run_slugYes
stageNoall

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

B3.2/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already indicate readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, and non-destructive. The description adds that results are organized by stage, providing minimal extra behavioral context beyond 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 a single concise sentence with 14 words, efficiently stating the core action. It is well-structured and front-loaded, but could benefit from additional details without becoming verbose.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

With 4 parameters and no schema descriptions, the description is too brief. It does not explain the required parameters or the meaning of 'available', leaving significant gaps for an agent to correctly invoke the tool.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, and the description only mentions the stage parameter's role (organizing by stage). No semantics are provided for the required parameters (platform, design, run_slug), leaving the agent under-informed.

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 the tool lists report images from ORFS runs organized by stage. It uses a specific verb and resource, and distinguishes from sibling tools like read_report_image and list_interactive_sessions.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

The description provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus its siblings. It lacks context about when to choose list_report_images over read_report_image or list_interactive_sessions.

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

read_report_imageC
Read-onlyIdempotent

Read a report image and return base64-encoded data with metadata.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
platformYes
designYes
run_slugYes
image_nameYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

C2.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already indicate readOnlyHint=true and idempotentHint=true, so the agent knows the tool is safe and non-destructive. The description adds that the output is base64-encoded data with metadata, but lacks detail on the metadata structure or edge cases (e.g., image not found).

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 a single sentence of 12 words, directly stating the action and output. It is front-loaded with the key verb and object, with no extraneous information.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Despite having an output schema, the description fails to explain the meaning or constraints of the input parameters, which are all required and have zero schema description. The tool may be under-specified for correct usage without additional context.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters1/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The input schema has no parameter descriptions (0% coverage), and the description does not explain any of the four required parameters (design, platform, run_slug, image_name). This leaves the agent guessing the meaning and valid values for each parameter.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the verb 'Read' and the object 'report image', and specifies the output as base64-encoded data with metadata. However, it does not distinguish itself from the sibling tool 'list_report_images', which likely lists images without reading content.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'list_report_images'. The description merely states the action without any contextual advice on prerequisites or preferred scenarios.

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

terminate_interactive_sessionA
DestructiveIdempotent

Terminate an interactive OpenROAD session.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
session_idYes
forceNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare destructiveHint=true and idempotentHint=true, so the description is consistent but adds no behavioral context beyond these annotations.

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 a single sentence, concise with no unnecessary words, making it easy to parse.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

The tool is simple but lacks details about the force parameter and what happens when the session terminates, given the presence of sibling tools and a destructive hint.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, and the description does not explain the parameters (session_id, force) or their semantics, leaving the agent without guidance.

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 the verb ('Terminate') and resource ('interactive OpenROAD session'), distinguishing it from sibling tools like create, inspect, list, etc.

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

Usage Guidelines3/5

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

The description implies usage (when to end a session) but provides no explicit guidance on prerequisites, when to use alternatives, or exclusions.

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

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Disambiguation5/5

Each tool has a clear, distinct purpose: session management (create, list, inspect, history, metrics, terminate), command execution (exec vs query separated by state-modifying vs read-only), and reporting (list and read report images). No overlap.

Naming Consistency4/5

Most tools follow verb_noun pattern (create_interactive_session, get_session_history, etc.), but interactive_openroad_exec and interactive_openroad_query deviate by using a different prefix. Overall pattern is recognizable.

Tool Count5/5

10 tools is well-scoped for managing interactive sessions, executing commands, and handling reports. Not too many or too few.

Completeness4/5

Covers session lifecycle (create, list, inspect, terminate) and command execution (read/write), plus reporting. Minor gaps like a tool to get session details by ID are covered by inspect_interactive_session, so mostly complete.

Maintenance

ActivityActive
ResponsivenessWithin a week

Resources

Unclaimed servers have limited discoverability.

Looking for Admin?

If you are the server author, to access and configure the admin panel.

Related MCP Connectors

Related MCP Servers

Latest Blog Posts

MCP directory API

We provide all the information about MCP servers via our MCP API.

curl -X GET 'https://glama.ai/api/mcp/v1/servers/The-OpenROAD-Project/OpenROAD-MCP'

If you have feedback or need assistance with the MCP directory API, please join our Discord server