Update an eBay item price markdown promotion's details: modify discount rules, inventory criteria, dates, and status through the Marketing API.
Update item price markdown promotion through the eBay Marketing API.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| request | Yes | Update item price markdown promotion request body | |
| promotionId | Yes | promotionId required endpoint parameter |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v1.14.1Input schema / properties / promotionRemoved value: -{
- "additionalProperties": {},
- "description": "Updated promotion configuration",
- "type": "object"
-}Input schema / properties / promotionId / descriptionPrevious value: -"Promotion ID"New value: +"promotionId required endpoint parameter"Input schema / properties / requestAdded value: +{
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "description": "Update item price markdown promotion request body",
+ "properties": {
+ "applyFreeShipping": {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ "autoSelectFutureInventory": {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ "blockPriceIncreaseInItemRevision": {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ "description": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "endDate": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "marketplaceId": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "name": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "priority": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "promotionImageUrl": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "promotionStatus": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "selectedInventoryDiscounts": {
+ "items": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "discountBenefit": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "amountOffItem": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "currency": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "value": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "amountOffOrder": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/discountBenefit/properties/amountOffItem"
+ },
+ "percentageOffItem": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "percentageOffOrder": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "discountId": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "inventoryCriterion": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "inventoryCriterionType": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "inventoryItems": {
+ "items": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "inventoryReferenceId": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "inventoryReferenceType": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "listingIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "ruleCriteria": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "excludeInventoryItems": {
+ "items": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/inventoryCriterion/properties/inventoryItems/items"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "excludeListingIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "markupInventoryItems": {
+ "items": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/inventoryCriterion/properties/inventoryItems/items"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "markupListingIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "selectionRules": {
+ "items": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "brands": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "categoryIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "categoryScope": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "listingConditionIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "maxPrice": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/discountBenefit/properties/amountOffItem"
+ },
+ "minPrice": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/selectedInventoryDiscounts/items/properties/discountBenefit/properties/amountOffItem"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "ruleOrder": {
+ "type": "number"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "startDate": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+}Input schema / requiredPrevious value: -[
- "promotionId",
- "promotion"
-]New value: +[
+ "promotionId",
+ "request"
+]v1.8.10Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations declare readOnlyHint=false and idempotentHint=true, so the agent knows this is a mutating but idempotent operation. The description adds no behavioral context beyond the annotations: it doesn't mention that this is a full replacement update, that unspecified fields may be reset, or that the promotion must be in a certain status to be updated. The description is consistent with the annotations, so no contradiction, but it adds minimal behavioral value.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single sentence that is concise and front-loaded with the verb and resource. It earns its place by naming the API ('eBay Marketing API'), which helps disambiguate from other eBay domains. It could add a bit more context, but it is appropriately sized for a tool whose schema carries most of the detail.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool has a complex nested request schema and no output schema, the description is minimal but not inadequate: the schema documents the request body thoroughly, and the annotations cover idempotency. However, the description doesn't explain the effect of the update (e.g., whether it replaces the entire promotion configuration), which is important for a mutating tool with a large nested body. It also doesn't clarify the relationship to ebay_update_item_promotion.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%: the request object has a description ('Update item price markdown promotion request body') and promotionId has a description ('promotionId required endpoint parameter'). The description itself adds no parameter-level meaning beyond what the schema provides, so the baseline 3 applies. The nested request object is complex, but the schema already documents its structure.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description states a specific verb ('Update') and resource ('item price markdown promotion') via the eBay Marketing API. It clearly identifies the operation and resource, and the sibling tools include create/get/delete variants, so the update intent is clear. However, it doesn't explicitly distinguish itself from the similar ebay_update_item_promotion sibling, so it loses a point for not differentiating between the two update-promotion tools.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage context: it is for updating an existing item price markdown promotion, and the required promotionId parameter signals that the promotion must already exist. However, it provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus ebay_update_item_promotion or the create/get/delete siblings, and no mention of prerequisites or when not to use it.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.