Update an existing eBay item promotion by providing the promotion ID and a request body with changes to discounts, budget, dates, or inventory criteria.
Update item promotion through the eBay Marketing API.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| request | Yes | Update item 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 promotion request body",
+ "properties": {
+ "applyDiscountToSingleItemOnly": {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ "budget": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "currency": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "value": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "couponConfiguration": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "couponCode": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "couponType": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "maxCouponRedemptionPerUser": {
+ "type": "number"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "description": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "discountRules": {
+ "items": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "discountBenefit": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "amountOffItem": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/budget"
+ },
+ "amountOffOrder": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/budget"
+ },
+ "percentageOffItem": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "percentageOffOrder": {
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "discountSpecification": {
+ "additionalProperties": false,
+ "properties": {
+ "forEachAmount": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/budget"
+ },
+ "forEachQuantity": {
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "minAmount": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/budget"
+ },
+ "minQuantity": {
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "numberOfDiscountedItems": {
+ "type": "number"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "ruleOrder": {
+ "type": "number"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "endDate": {
+ "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": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/inventoryCriterion/properties/inventoryItems/items"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "excludeListingIds": {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "markupInventoryItems": {
+ "items": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/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": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/budget"
+ },
+ "minPrice": {
+ "$ref": "#/properties/request/properties/budget"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "marketplaceId": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "name": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "priority": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "promotionImageUrl": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "promotionStatus": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "promotionType": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "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?
The description only says 'Update', which aligns with readOnlyHint=false, but adds nothing beyond that. It does not disclose whether the update is partial or full replacement, what happens to unspecified fields, or any required permissions. The idempotentHint=true in annotations is not elaborated on, so the description contributes minimal behavioral transparency 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.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single short sentence with no wasted words, but it is also extremely under-specified given the tool's complexity. It is concise but not appropriately sized for an agent to understand the tool's purpose and usage without relying heavily on other sources.
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?
The tool has a large nested request schema and no output schema, yet the description says nothing about the update semantics (e.g., patch vs. put), prerequisites, or expected response. It is significantly incomplete for guiding correct invocation of such a complex tool.
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% for the two root parameters (promotionId and request each have short descriptions), so the baseline is 3. The description text adds no additional meaning about how to construct the request or interpret the nested fields; it does not go beyond what the schema already provides.
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 the tool updates an item promotion via the eBay Marketing API, using a specific verb ('Update') and resource ('item promotion'). It is clear and distinguishable from the directly related siblings (e.g., ebay_create_item_promotion, ebay_update_item_price_markdown_promotion) based on the explicit 'item promotion' phrasing, though it does not explicitly name alternatives.
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 provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as ebay_create_item_promotion, ebay_pause_promotion, or ebay_update_item_price_markdown_promotion. The only implicit usage cue is the verb 'update' and the required promotionId, but no conditions, prerequisites, or exclusions are stated.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.