tmux-claude MCP Server
Provides MCP tools for git operations including status, branch management, automatic branch creation for shared workspaces, conflict detection, and AI-powered merge conflict resolution.
Provides management of tmux sessions for running Claude instances, including spawning new sessions, sending commands, reading output, and listing active sessions.
Click on "Deploy Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@tmux-claude MCP Serverspawn two specialist instances for code review and testing"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
tmux-claude MCP Server
A highly efficient Model Context Protocol (MCP) server enabling hierarchical orchestration of Claude instances via tmux. Features a bridge pattern architecture that reduces memory usage by 85% compared to traditional multi-server approaches.
šø Screenshots
Hierarchical orchestration showing Executive, Manager, and Specialist instances working together
Web-based monitoring dashboard displaying active instances and system metrics
Related MCP server: claude-code-mcp
š¤ For Claude Code Instances
New to this repository? If you're a Claude Code instance, start with the Claude Getting Started Guide for a quick orientation and practical examples.
Overview
Architecture Innovation
Due to MCP's documented 1:1 stdio architecture, multiple Claude instances cannot directly access MCP tools. Our bridge pattern solution:
Single shared MCP server process (50-70MB total)
Lightweight bridge for multi-instance access via Bash
85% memory reduction vs spawning separate servers
Zero race conditions with centralized state management
Core MCP Tools
spawn: Create new Claude instances with roles (Executive/Manager/Specialist)
send: Send text/prompts to instances
read: Read output from instances
list: List active instances with filtering
terminate: Stop instances and optionally their children
New Features
VM Integration: Complete cloud VM management for development environments
Scheduled Continue: Schedule "Plz continue" messages to all tmux sessions at specified times
Workspace Modes: Support for isolated (default) and shared workspace modes
Git Integration: Automatic branch management for shared workspaces
Conflict Detection: Proactive identification of merge conflicts
MCP Git Tools: 5 new tools for git operations (git_status, git_branch, etc.)
AI Conflict Resolution: Intelligent merge conflict resolution using Claude
Performance Optimizations: Parallel spawning, message batching, caching
Monitoring Dashboard: Real-time web dashboard for system monitoring
Project Structure
tmux-claude-mcp-server/
āāā README.md # Project overview and usage
āāā LICENSE # MIT license
āāā package.json # Node.js dependencies
āāā package-lock.json # Locked dependencies
āāā .gitignore # Version control ignore patterns
āāā src/ # Core source code
ā āāā simple_mcp_server.js # Main MCP server
ā āāā instance_manager.js # Instance lifecycle management
ā āāā mcp_tools.js # MCP tool implementations
ā āāā tmux_interface.js # tmux integration layer
ā āāā reliable_tmux_sender.js # High-reliability message delivery
ā āāā orchestration/ # Orchestration components
ā āāā dashboard/ # Web monitoring dashboard
ā āāā role_templates/ # Standardized role templates
ā āāā workflow/ # Workflow orchestration system
ā āāā actions/ # Modular action implementations
ā āāā workflow_engine.cjs # Main workflow engine
ā āāā run_workflow.cjs # Workflow runner CLI
āāā scripts/ # Utility scripts
ā āāā mcp_bridge.js # Bridge for multi-instance MCP access
ā āāā scheduled_continue.js # Schedule "Plz continue" messages
ā āāā check/ # Session checking utilities
ā āāā restart/ # Session restart utilities
ā āāā utils/ # Shared utilities
ā ā āāā time_parser.js # Time parsing for scheduling
ā āāā api/ # API scripts for monitoring
āāā docs/ # Documentation
ā āāā CHANGELOG.md # Version history
ā āāā CONTRIBUTING.md # Contribution guidelines
ā āāā WORKFLOW_GUIDE.md # Workflow system guide
ā āāā CLAUDE_GETTING_STARTED.md # Quick start for Claude instances
ā āāā DOCUMENTATION_INDEX.md # Documentation map
ā āāā scheduled_continue/ # Scheduled continue feature docs
ā ā āāā CLI_INTERFACE_DESIGN.md
ā ā āāā TIME_FORMAT_SPECIFICATION.md
ā ā āāā SCHEDULING_MECHANISM_ANALYSIS.md
ā āāā analysis/ # Technical analysis & findings
ā āāā archive/ # Historical documentation
ā āāā guides/ # User guides and specifications
āāā tests/ # Test suites
ā āāā test_workflow_standalone.cjs # Standalone workflow tests
ā āāā unit/ # Unit tests
ā āāā integration/ # Integration tests
ā āāā e2e/ # End-to-end tests
ā āāā performance/ # Performance benchmarks
āāā workflows/ # Workflow system
ā āāā README.md # Workflow documentation
ā āāā CURRENT_STATUS.md # Current status and usage
ā āāā library/ # Reusable workflow components
ā āāā examples/ # Example workflows
ā āāā tests/ # Workflow test files
ā āāā scripts/ # Workflow utilities
ā āāā state/ # Workflow state storage
ā āāā user/ # User-created workflows
āāā state/ # Default state directory
āāā config/ # Configuration files
āāā logs/ # Log directory
āāā vm-integration/ # Cloud VM management
āāā README.md # VM integration documentation
āāā vm_manager.js # Core VM management class
āāā vm_cli.js # Command-line interface
āāā vm_mcp_tools.js # MCP tools integration
āāā integrate_vm_mcp.js # MCP server integration
āāā setup-scripts/ # VM initialization scripts
ā āāā claude-dev-setup.sh
āāā tests/ # VM integration tests
āāā test_vm_integration.jsArchitecture
External State Store: JSON file-based registry for Phase 1, Redis-ready for Phase 2+
Project Isolation: Each Claude instance uses
--projectflag for conversation isolationRole-Based Access: Specialists have NO access to MCP tools, only Executive/Manager can orchestrate
Hierarchical Naming:
exec_1,mgr_1_1,spec_1_1_1for clear parent-child relationshipsNearly-Free Recovery: Restart instances using
--continueflag
Code Harvest
This implementation harvests and adapts ~20-30% of the existing tmux-manager codebase:
Harvested Components
tmux_interface.py ā
src/tmux_interface.js- Core tmux operationsinstance.py ā
src/instance_manager.js- Instance lifecycle managementmanager.py ā
src/instance_manager.js- Registry and coordinationsession_manager.py ā
src/instance_manager.js- Session operations
Discarded Components (60-70%)
All CLI interfaces
Pattern matching/monitoring systems
Event bus architecture
Configuration management
Layout systems
Installation
cd tmux-claude-mcp-server
npm installConfiguration (REQUIRED)
CRITICAL: You MUST configure the MCP server globally for all Claude instances:
claude mcp add tmux-claude -s user node /path/to/tmux-claude-mcp-server/src/simple_mcp_server.jsImportant notes:
The
-s userflag is REQUIRED for hierarchical orchestration to workThis makes the MCP server available to ALL Claude instances
Without this, spawned instances will NOT have access to MCP tools
See MCP Configuration Guide for detailed information
Verify configuration:
claude mcp list
# Should show: tmux-claude: node /path/to/simple_mcp_server.jsUsage
The MCP server runs automatically when Claude starts (after proper configuration above).
Tool Examples
Spawn an Executive
{
"name": "spawn",
"arguments": {
"role": "executive",
"workDir": "/jobs/auth_system",
"context": "# Executive: Auth System\\n\\nYou are responsible for orchestrating the implementation of a JWT authentication system..."
}
}Executive Spawns Manager
{
"name": "spawn",
"arguments": {
"role": "manager",
"workDir": "/jobs/auth_system",
"context": "# Manager: Auth Implementation\\n\\nPlan and coordinate the JWT auth system implementation...",
"parentId": "exec_1"
}
}Manager with Shared Workspace (NEW)
{
"name": "spawn",
"arguments": {
"role": "manager",
"workDir": "/jobs/auth_system",
"context": "# Manager: Feature Implementation\\n\\nCoordinate multiple specialists...",
"parentId": "exec_1",
"workspaceMode": "shared" // Enable git integration
}
}Manager Spawns Specialist
{
"name": "spawn",
"arguments": {
"role": "specialist",
"workDir": "/jobs/auth_system",
"context": "# Specialist: User Model\\n\\nImplement the User model with Mongoose...",
"parentId": "mgr_1_1"
}
}Send Task to Specialist
{
"name": "send",
"arguments": {
"instanceId": "spec_1_1_1",
"text": "Please implement the User model with email, password, and timestamps fields"
}
}Read Specialist Output
{
"name": "read",
"arguments": {
"instanceId": "spec_1_1_1",
"lines": 50
}
}List All Active Instances
{
"name": "list",
"arguments": {}
}List Manager's Specialists
{
"name": "list",
"arguments": {
"parentId": "mgr_1_1"
}
}Terminate Completed Specialist
{
"name": "terminate",
"arguments": {
"instanceId": "spec_1_1_1"
}
}State Management
External State Store (Phase 1)
Located at ./state/instances.json:
{
"instances": {
"exec_1": {
"instanceId": "exec_1",
"role": "executive",
"parentId": null,
"sessionName": "claude_exec_1",
"projectDir": "/jobs/auth_system/exec_1",
"paneTarget": "claude_exec_1:0.0",
"status": "active",
"created": "2024-01-01T10:00:00Z",
"children": ["mgr_1_1"]
}
}
}Instance Directory Structure
/jobs/auth_system/
āāā exec_1/
ā āāā CLAUDE.md # Executive context
ā āāā project files...
āāā mgr_1_1/
ā āāā CLAUDE.md # Manager context
ā āāā project files...
āāā spec_1_1_1/
āāā CLAUDE.md # Specialist context
āāā implementation files...Error Recovery
The server implements nearly-free recovery using Claude's --continue flag:
{
"name": "restart",
"arguments": {
"instanceId": "spec_1_1_1"
}
}This will:
Check if instance is actually dead
Recreate tmux session in same project directory
Launch
claude --project . --continueClaude automatically resumes where it left off
Role-Based Access Control
Executive: Full access to all MCP tools
Manager: Full access to all MCP tools
Specialist: NO access to MCP tools (uses standard Claude tools only)
The server enforces this by checking the caller's role and rejecting MCP tool calls from Specialists.
Integration with Claude SDK
Each spawned instance:
Uses
--project <dir>for conversation isolationGets unique project directory:
~/.claude/projects/-jobs-auth_system-<instance_id>/Maintains separate conversation history and todos
Can be monitored via read-only access to Claude's todo files
Phase Evolution
Phase 1: Sequential execution, 1 Executive ā 1 Manager ā 1 Specialist
Phase 2: Limited parallelism, 2-3 Specialists per Manager
Phase 3: Full parallelism, multiple Managers and Specialists
The MCP interface is designed to support all phases without code changes - only configuration differences.
Scheduled Continue Feature
The Scheduled Continue feature allows you to schedule "Plz continue" messages to all tmux sessions at a specified time. This is useful for automating session management and ensuring work resumes at specific times.
Basic Usage
# Schedule in 30 minutes
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js "+30m"
# Schedule at 3:30 PM today
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js "15:30"
# Schedule at 9:45 AM with AM/PM format
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js "9:45am"
# Schedule using natural language
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js "in 2 hours"Advanced Options
# Custom message
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js "+1h" -m "Time to review progress"
# Dry run (test without executing)
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js "+5m" --dry-run
# Verbose logging
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js "+15m" --verbose
# Show help
node scripts/scheduled_continue.js --helpSupported Time Formats
Relative:
+30m,+2h,+90m24-hour:
15:30,09:45,23:5912-hour:
3:30pm,9:45am,11:59PMNatural language:
"in 30 minutes","in 2 hours"
Important Notes
The process must remain running until execution time
System sleep/hibernate may interrupt scheduling
Maximum scheduling window is 24 hours
Sessions are re-validated at execution time
Uses high-reliability message delivery
For detailed documentation, see:
Testing
npm test # Run all tests
./scripts/run_all_tests.sh # Run comprehensive test suiteDevelopment
npm run dev # Start with file watchingArchitecture Documents
For complete implementation details, see:
docs/main/tmux-manager-MCP.md- MCP server specificationdocs/main/tmux-claude-implementation.md- Complete architecturedocs/main/tmux-mvp-implementation.md- Phase 1 MVP approachdocs/GIT_INTEGRATION_GUIDE.md- Git integration and workspace modesdocs/WORKSPACE_MODES.md- Detailed workspace mode documentationdocs/GIT_INTEGRATION_REFINEMENT_PLAN.md- Technical implementation details
Available Tools
14 toolscheck_workspace_conflictsC
Analyze potential conflicts in shared workspace
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| workspaceDir | Yes | Path to the shared workspace directory | |
| managerIds | No | Manager instance IDs to analyze |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description should disclose behavioral traits, but it only says 'analyze potential conflicts' without indicating whether it reads or writes, permissions required, or what happens on conflict detection.
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 single sentence is concise but lacks structure; it could benefit from front-loading key details.
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?
Without output schema or annotations, the description is too brief to cover what the tool returns or its operational context, leaving significant gaps.
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 coverage is 100%, so the description does not need to add much; however, it adds no extra meaning beyond the parameter names and types.
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 clearly states the tool's action ('Analyze potential conflicts') and resource ('shared workspace'), but does not differentiate it from sibling tools like get_workspace_status or merge_manager_work.
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, no context provided, and no exclusions mentioned.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
commit_manager_workB
Commit current work with proper git practices (Manager only)
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| instanceId | Yes | Manager instance ID | |
| message | Yes | Commit message | |
| files | No | Specific files to commit (default: all changes) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, and the description is vague about behavioral traits. It does not disclose whether the commit is pushed, requires authentication, or affects remote state, leaving critical uncertainty for a mutation tool.
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 concise sentence with no wasted words. It is front-loaded but could be improved by adding a brief usage note without sacrificing brevity.
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?
For a simple tool with no output schema, the description is minimal. It lacks details about the commit process (e.g., whether it pushes) and does not cover all behavioral aspects, but it is not severely incomplete.
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 coverage is 100%, so the input schema already describes the parameters. The description adds no further meaning beyond the schema, achieving the baseline score.
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 clearly states the action ('Commit current work') and the context ('with proper git practices (Manager only)'). It uses a specific verb and resource, and differentiates from siblings like merge_manager_work and sync_manager_branch.
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 only includes a scope restriction ('Manager only') but does not provide explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor does it specify 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.
distributeWorkB
Distribute tasks across multiple Managers (Executive only)
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| tasks | Yes | Tasks to distribute across Managers | |
| strategy | No | Distribution strategy to use |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description must disclose behavioral traits. It only mentions distribution and executive access, but lacks details on side effects, synchronicity, or whether tasks are modified in place. This is insufficient for an action tool.
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, which is concise but lacks structure. It does not elaborate on behavior or provide examples, so while not verbose, it is under-informative.
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 no output schema and limited annotations, the description should provide more context about the distribution process, error handling, or async behavior. It only hints at the executive restriction, leaving many important aspects unexplained.
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 coverage is 100% with both parameters described. The description adds no new parameter semantics beyond the schema. Baseline 3 is appropriate as the schema carries the load.
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 clearly states the tool distributes tasks across multiple Managers, with an executive-only restriction. It does not explicitly differentiate from siblings like 'commit_manager_work' or 'executeParallel', but the purpose 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.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies the tool is for distributing tasks and restricts usage to executives. However, it provides no guidance on when to use it versus alternatives (e.g., 'executeParallel' for parallel execution) 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.
executeParallelB
Execute multiple tasks in parallel using Specialist instances (Manager only)
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| managerId | Yes | ID of the Manager coordinating the parallel execution | |
| tasks | Yes | Array of task objects to execute in parallel | |
| workDir | Yes | Working directory for the Specialist instances |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description must carry full behavioral disclosure. However, it only states the action and a role restriction, omitting details about asynchronicity, side effects, error handling, or concurrency limits.
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 11-word sentence, highly concise and front-loaded, with no extraneous information.
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 no output schema and nested objects in parameters, the description is moderately complete. It lacks information about return values, error behavior, and whether execution is synchronous, which is important for an async-like tool with a status sibling.
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 coverage is 100%, and the description adds minimal value beyond the schema by mentioning 'Specialist instances', hinting at the context for tasks. However, it does not clarify fields like completionPattern in the tasks array.
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 'Execute multiple tasks in parallel using Specialist instances (Manager only)' clearly states the verb (execute), resource (multiple tasks), and context (parallel, Manager only), effectively distinguishing it from siblings like distributeWork.
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 includes '(Manager only)' as a usage constraint but provides no guidance on when to use this tool vs alternatives like distributeWork or commit_manager_work, nor any when-not-to-use conditions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
getParallelStatusB
Get parallel execution status for a Manager
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| managerId | Yes | ID of the Manager to check |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries full burden for behavioral disclosure. It only states the basic function, without indicating side effects, permissions, rate limits, or return behavior.
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, efficient sentence. It is appropriately concise for a simple tool, though it could be slightly more informative without sacrificing brevity.
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 is simple, but the description lacks information about the return format, error handling, or what 'status' entails. It is adequate but leaves some gaps for an agent.
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% (managerId is documented), so baseline is 3. The description does not add extra meaning beyond what is in the schema.
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 clearly states the action ('Get'), the resource ('parallel execution status'), and the scope ('for a Manager'). It is specific and distinct from sibling tools which involve committing, distributing, or other operations.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. There is no mention of prerequisites, typical scenarios, 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.
get_workspace_statusC
Get comprehensive status of shared workspace
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| workspaceDir | Yes | Path to the shared workspace directory |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, and the description does not disclose behavioral traits beyond the basic purpose. It does not state whether the tool is read-only, requires authentication, or has side effects. The agent lacks information about rate limits or potential impacts.
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 unnecessary words. It is concise and front-loaded, but could include slightly more detail without becoming verbose.
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 lack of output schema and annotations, the description is under-specified. It does not explain what 'comprehensive status' includes, leaving the agent uncertain about the return value's structure or content. More details are needed for a status 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%, with the single parameter 'workspaceDir' described as 'Path to the shared workspace directory'. The description does not add any additional meaning beyond what the schema provides, but the schema itself is sufficient. Baseline of 3 applies.
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?
Description clearly states verb 'Get' and resource 'status of shared workspace', making the tool's purpose clear. However, it does not differentiate from sibling tools like 'check_workspace_conflicts' or 'getParallelStatus', which may also provide status information.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. The description does not mention prerequisites, when not to use, or how it compares to siblings like 'check_workspace_conflicts'.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
listB
List all active Claude instances
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| role | No | Filter by role | |
| parentId | No | Filter by parent instance ID |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations provided; description only states basic action. Lacks details on side effects, performance characteristics, or any constraints beyond 'active' instances.
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?
Single sentence, no filler, front-loaded with verb and resource. Highly concise.
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?
Adequate for a simple list with documented parameters, but no output schema or details on return format, pagination, or limits. Could be more complete.
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 both parameters. The description adds no extra meaning beyond the schema, so baseline score is appropriate.
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 uses a specific verb 'List' and resource 'active Claude instances'. It clearly distinguishes from sibling tools like 'check_workspace_conflicts' or 'read' by specifying what is being listed.
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus siblings. It simply states what it does without context like prerequisites or alternatives.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
merge_manager_workB
Coordinate merge of manager work back to main branch (Executive only)
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| managerId | Yes | ID of the manager whose work to merge | |
| targetBranch | No | Target branch for merge (default: main) | |
| strategy | No | Merge strategy to use | |
| deleteBranch | No | Delete manager branch after merge |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. It discloses an access restriction ('Executive only') but fails to mention if the merge is destructive, conflict handling, or branch deletion behavior (though deleteBranch parameter exists). The description lacks critical behavioral traits for a merge tool.
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 conveys the core purpose efficiently. While it could include more context, it is not verbose and is front-loaded with the action. Slightly under-specified but still concise.
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?
With 4 parameters (including an enum and a boolean) and no output schema, the description is too minimal. It omits return value, error cases, default behaviors (e.g., default targetBranch is 'main'), and any post-merge state. Incomplete for safe usage.
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 coverage is 100%, so baseline 3. The description does not add any additional meaning beyond what the schema already provides for parameters like managerId, targetBranch, strategy, or deleteBranch. No elaboration on enum values or parameter impact.
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 clearly states the action ('Coordinate merge'), the resource ('manager work back to main branch'), and adds a restriction ('Executive only'). It distinguishes itself from siblings like commit_manager_work and sync_manager_branch.
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 mentions 'Executive only' as a usage restriction but provides no guidance on when to use this tool vs alternatives like commit_manager_work or sync_manager_branch. No explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use context.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
readC
Read output from a Claude instance
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| instanceId | Yes | ID of the target instance | |
| lines | No | Number of lines to read (default: 50) | |
| follow | No | Stream output (default: false) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations provided, so description must fully disclose behavior. It only states 'Read output', omitting details like blocking, non-destructiveness, error handling, or return format. This is insufficient for an agent to predict side effects.
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, very concise. However, it sacrifices necessary detail for brevity, making it less informative than optimal.
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 simplicity of the tool and high schema coverage, the description is minimally adequate. However, it lacks any context about return values, streaming behavior, or instance lifecycle, which would be valuable for an agent.
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 coverage is 100% with descriptions for all three parameters (instanceId, lines, follow). The description adds no additional meaning beyond what the schema already provides, so baseline score of 3 applies.
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 uses a specific verb 'read' and resource 'output from a Claude instance', clearly indicating the action and target. It distinguishes from sibling tools like 'send' by implying input vs. output, but does not explicitly differentiate.
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'send' or streaming. The description does not mention prerequisites, context, or exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
restartB
Restart a dead instance using --continue flag
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| instanceId | Yes | ID of the instance to restart |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations provided, so description bears full burden. It discloses the basic action but fails to detail side effects, prerequisites (e.g., instance must be 'dead'), or what the --continue flag entails. Insufficient for safe usage.
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?
Single sentence, no wasted words. Front-loaded with core action. Could be slightly improved by separating method detail, but highly efficient for its length.
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?
No output schema and no annotations. Description is too brief for a tool that restarts instances; missing context like what 'dead' means, continuation behavior, and error handling. Incomplete for real-world use.
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 has 100% coverage for the single parameter. Description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema's description. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
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 clearly states the action (restart) and target (dead instance) with specific method (--continue flag). However, it does not explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like 'spawn' or 'terminate', though the context of 'dead' implies a specific state.
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?
Indicates use case: restart a dead instance. But no guidance on when not to use or mention of alternatives like 'spawn' for new instances. Implied usage is clear but lacks exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
sendB
Send text/prompt to a Claude instance
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| instanceId | Yes | ID of the target instance | |
| text | Yes | Text to send to the instance |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations exist, and the description lacks details on behavioral traits such as side effects, state changes, 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.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single sentence with no wasted words, but it could be more informative without becoming verbose.
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?
For a simple tool with no output schema or annotations, the description lacks crucial information about return values, side effects, or expected behavior after sending.
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 coverage is 100% with descriptions for both parameters, so the baseline is 3. The description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema.
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 clearly states the verb 'send' and the resource 'text/prompt to a Claude instance', making it distinct from sibling tools like 'read' or 'list'.
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?
No guidance provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor any prerequisites or context for usage.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
spawnB
Spawn a new Claude instance with role and context
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| role | Yes | Role of the instance to create | |
| workDir | Yes | Working directory for the instance | |
| context | Yes | CLAUDE.md content for the instance | |
| parentId | No | ID of parent instance for hierarchy tracking | |
| workspaceMode | No | Workspace mode (isolated or shared for managers) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description must disclose behavioral traits. It only states 'spawn a new instance' without explaining side effects (e.g., resource consumption), authentication needs, or what happens on failure. This is minimal transparency.
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, front-loaded sentence with no wasted words. It is concise, though additional content for guidelines or transparency could be added without harming conciseness.
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 description is incomplete given the tool's complexity (5 parameters, 3 required, no output schema, no annotations). It does not explain the return value, lifecycle of the spawned instance, or potential errors. The agent lacks critical information to use the tool reliably.
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%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds no extra meaning beyond what the schema already provides for each parameter. It does not compensate with usage hints or formatting details.
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 uses a specific verb ('spawn') and resource ('new Claude instance'), and clearly distinguishes from sibling tools that manage existing instances (list, terminate) or perform other operations.
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like list or executeParallel. The description does not mention prerequisites, expected usage context, or exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
sync_manager_branchB
Sync manager branch with latest main branch changes (Manager only)
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| instanceId | Yes | Manager instance ID | |
| baseBranch | No | Base branch to sync with (default: main) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations provided, so the description must disclose behavioral traits. It fails to mention side effects, prerequisites, or whether the sync is a pull, merge, or overwrite, leaving the agent uninformed.
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, front-loaded sentence that efficiently conveys the core purpose, though it could include more detail without becoming verbose.
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?
For a mutation tool with no output schema, the description lacks essential details about post-sync state, error conditions, or required permissions, making it incomplete.
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 coverage is 100% with descriptions, so baseline is 3. The description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema; it does not explain instanceId or baseBranch in context.
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 clearly states the verb 'Sync' and the specific resource 'manager branch with latest main branch changes', and the scope 'Manager only', distinguishing it from siblings like merge_manager_work.
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool vs alternatives like merge_manager_work. The 'Manager only' hint is present but does not exclude when syncing is appropriate.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
terminateA
Terminate a Claude instance and optionally its children
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| instanceId | Yes | ID of the instance to terminate | |
| cascade | No | Also terminate child instances (default: false) |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description must carry the burden. It discloses the optional cascade behavior but does not detail consequences (e.g., whether termination is forceful, reversible, or requires permissions), leaving significant gaps for a destructive action.
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, well-constructed sentence that is front-loaded and contains no extraneous information.
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?
For a simple 2-parameter tool with complete schema coverage, the description is adequate but lacks behavioral context (e.g., error handling, synchrony) that would improve completeness. No output schema exists, but the description does not compensate.
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 coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds minimal value beyond the schema by mentioning 'optionally its children' which aligns with the cascade parameter, but does not enrich the understanding of instanceId.
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 clearly states the action 'Terminate' and the resource 'Claude instance', and mentions optional child termination, which distinguishes it from sibling tools like spawn, restart, and list.
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 does not explicitly state when to use this tool vs alternatives, nor does it provide prerequisites or exclusions. However, the purpose is self-evident for termination.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
14 tool updates
v1.0.0- First observed
check_workspace_conflicts - First observed
commit_manager_work - First observed
distributeWork - First observed
executeParallel - First observed
get_workspace_status - First observed
getParallelStatus - First observed
list - First observed
merge_manager_work - First observed
read - First observed
restart - First observed
send - First observed
spawn - First observed
sync_manager_branch - First observed
terminate
TDQS
Scored across 14 tools
Each tool targets a distinct operation: workspace management, instance lifecycle, parallel execution, and git operations. Tools like check_workspace_conflicts and get_workspace_status have clear boundaries, and even similar-sounding ones like distributeWork and executeParallel are differentiated by context (scheduling vs. running).
The set uses a mix of snake_case (e.g., check_workspace_conflicts, commit_manager_work) and camelCase (e.g., distributeWork, executeParallel), plus short verbs (list, send, read). While each subgroup is internally consistent, the overall pattern is not uniform, which may cause slight confusion.
14 tools cover the main aspects of instance management and workspace coordination without being excessive. The scope is well-defined, and each tool serves a necessary role in the multi-instance workflow.
The tool surface covers the key lifecycle operations (spawn, terminate, restart, send/read), parallel execution, and basic git workflow (commit, sync, merge). Minor gaps exist (e.g., no explicit tool for listing workspace files or pruning instances), but the core functionality is solid.
Maintenance
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