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reuse_before_generate

Search major code registries and the web to find existing codebases and commercial SaaS competitors before starting a build.

Instructions

Run before building from scratch. Searches GitHub, GitLab, npm, crates.io, NuGet, Hugging Face, Docker Hub, Maven Central, RubyGems, and Packagist across multiple query angles to find existing codebases, and provides targeted web search queries for finding commercial SaaS competitors.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
queryNoSearch query or project description
queriesNoRECOMMENDED: 2-4 distinct technical search queries / keywords maintainers would use (e.g. ['gnome speech to text', 'gnome whisper dictation', 'linux offline voice typing']).
keywordsNoOptional search keywords
descriptionNoDescription of what you want to build

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed18 schema fields changedv0.2.5
    • removedInput schema / $schema
      Removed value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"
    • removedInput schema / additionalProperties
      Removed value: -false
    • changedInput schema / properties / description / description
      Previous value: -"Plain-language description of the project/module about to be built — what it does, not how. The more specific, the better the match quality."New value: +"Description of what you want to build"
    • removedInput schema / properties / description / minLength
      Removed value: -10
    • changedInput schema / properties / keywords / description
      Previous value: -"REQUIRED: 3-4 precise search terms YOU infer from the description, using your own understanding of what the user actually means — do this especially when the description is vague, informal, or from a non-native speaker. Pick the concrete domain noun a maintainer would actually put in their README, not a generic category word: e.g. for 'thing that checks my code doesn't have secret keys by mistake' prefer [\"git\", \"secrets\", \"detect\", \"leak\"] over [\"secret\", \"scanner\", \"detect\", \"git\"] — 'scanner' is broad enough to pull in unrelated security-tool listicles, while 'leak'/'secrets' matches how gitleaks/trufflehog actually describe themselves. Avoid generic tooling-ecosystem words (mcp, agent, server, tool, app) unless the description has nothing more specific — they return noise (awesome-lists, unrelated MCP servers) rather than real competitors. Critically, favor the word a maintainer would use to describe WHAT THE TOOL IS over the word describing the USER'S PROBLEM: a real 'pretty JSON in the terminal' tool likely calls itself a 'viewer' or 'processor', not a 'pretty-printer'/'colorizer'; a real static-site link checker likely says it validates 'rendered HTML', not 'static site alt-text'. If your first guess doesn't match, mentally simulate the README of the tool you're picturing and pull words straight from that sentence."New value: +"Optional search keywords"
    • removedInput schema / properties / keywords / items
      Removed value: -{
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / keywords / maxItems
      Removed value: -6
    • removedInput schema / properties / keywords / minItems
      Removed value: -3
    • addedInput schema / properties / keywords / oneOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "items": {
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "type": "array"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  }
      +]
    • removedInput schema / properties / keywords / type
      Removed value: -"array"
    • removedInput schema / properties / queries / additionalProperties
      Removed value: -false
    • changedInput schema / properties / queries / description
      Previous value: -"Optional high-quality intent inferred semantically by the calling agent: category names what this is, outcome says what it accomplishes, synonyms supplies distinct terminology maintainers or product makers may use, constraints supplies up to 8 must-have properties, priorities supplies up to 4 ordered preferences, and artifactType says whether the desired result is an application, hosted service, CLI, or library. Older callers may omit these optional fields; the server will infer conservative fallbacks."New value: +"RECOMMENDED: 2-4 distinct technical search queries / keywords maintainers would use (e.g. ['gnome speech to text', 'gnome whisper dictation', 'linux offline voice typing'])."
    • addedInput schema / properties / queries / items
      Added value: +{
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • removedInput schema / properties / queries / properties
      Removed value: -{
      -  "artifactType": {
      -    "enum": [
      -      "application",
      -      "service",
      -      "cli",
      -      "library"
      -    ],
      -    "type": "string"
      -  },
      -  "category": {
      -    "minLength": 2,
      -    "type": "string"
      -  },
      -  "constraints": {
      -    "items": {
      -      "minLength": 2,
      -      "type": "string"
      -    },
      -    "maxItems": 8,
      -    "type": "array"
      -  },
      -  "outcome": {
      -    "minLength": 2,
      -    "type": "string"
      -  },
      -  "priorities": {
      -    "description": "Ordered preferences from most important to least important, such as [\"Android\", \"iOS\"]. Both can appear in results, but earlier entries receive more ranking weight.",
      -    "items": {
      -      "minLength": 2,
      -      "type": "string"
      -    },
      -    "maxItems": 4,
      -    "type": "array"
      -  },
      -  "synonyms": {
      -    "minLength": 2,
      -    "type": "string"
      -  }
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / queries / required
      Removed value: -[
      -  "category",
      -  "outcome",
      -  "synonyms"
      -]
    • changedInput schema / properties / queries / type
      Previous value: -"object"New value: +"array"
    • addedInput schema / properties / query
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Search query or project description",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • removedInput schema / required
      Removed value: -[
      -  "description",
      -  "keywords"
      -]
  2. Addedv0.2.4

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses that the search spans many registries 'across multiple query angles' and that it 'provides targeted web search queries'—useful behavioral traits. However, it does not state whether the operation is read-only, whether it makes external network calls, or what the result structure looks like. This is a moderate gap for a tool with zero annotation coverage.

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 sentences with no filler. The imperative instruction is front-loaded, and the platform list is compact yet specific. Every phrase earns its place; there is no redundant restating of the tool name or schema.

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 description covers input intent, scope, and one output aspect (web search queries for competitors), but it does not explain what the agent will actually receive back (e.g., a list of repos, links, scores). With no output schema and no annotations, this missing return-value information is a clear gap for correct invocation and result handling.

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 description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents all four parameters. The description adds general context (e.g., multiple query angles, competitor search) but does not add specific syntax, defaults, or parameter relationships beyond what the schema provides. Baseline 3 is appropriate.

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 specific action ('Run before building from scratch') and resource ('Searches GitHub, GitLab, npm...') with a clear purpose: finding existing codebases and providing competitor-search queries. This fully distinguishes it from the sibling 'check_before_building' by focusing on reuse rather than validation.

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?

The first phrase 'Run before building from scratch' gives an explicit when-to-use signal. It does not name alternatives or exclusions, but the context is clear enough for an agent to select this tool at the appropriate stage. Slight deduction for not contrasting with check_before_building.

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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