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createSubCategory

Creates a new subcategory under a parent top category to classify members. Supports sub-sub nesting via master_id. Writes live data.

Instructions

Create a service - Create a new SUB-level member category under an existing Top Category. Writes live data.

A Sub Category is level 2 of the 3-tier member classification. It MUST have a parent Top Category (via profession_id). It may optionally sit under another Sub Category (for sub-sub-category nesting, via master_id). Backed by BD's list_services table.

Use when: explicitly adding a sub-category BEFORE assigning members to it. If creating/updating a user who needs a sub-category that doesn't exist yet, on createUser just include the name in services - BD auto-creates it. On updateUser, pass create_new_categories=1 to allow inline creation. For sub-sub nesting pass master_id=<parent service_id>; otherwise set master_id=0 for direct-under-Top.

Required: name, profession_id.

Pre-check before create: BD does NOT enforce uniqueness on filename (URL slug) or name - but uniqueness IS scoped per-parent (two sub-cats with the same filename under different profession_id is fine; same filename under the SAME profession_id is not). Do a server-side filter-find: listSubCategories property=filename property_value=<proposed> property_operator==, then filter results by the intended profession_id. Zero rows under that parent = slug free; >=1 row = taken (URL collision - wrong sub-cat page resolves). Do NOT paginate unfiltered lists - filtered lookup is one tiny response. If taken: reuse via updateSubCategory, OR ask the user, OR pick an alternate filename and re-check. Wrapper safety net: on a missed pre-check, the wrapper auto-suffixes filename on collision (-1...-20) and surfaces the suffix in the response. Pre-checking still preferred — auto-suffix surprises the caller in URL-sensitive workflows.

Parameter guidance:

  • name - human-readable (e.g. "Sushi")

  • profession_id - the parent Top Category's ID (from listTopCategories or createTopCategory)

  • master_id - for SUB-SUB-CATEGORY nesting, pass the parent Sub Category's ID; default 0 means "directly under the Top Category"

  • filename - URL-slug form; desc, keywords, sort_order, lead_price, image - all optional

See also: updateSubCategory (modify), listSubCategories (list), createTopCategory (create parent).

Writes live data: changes are immediately visible on the public site.

Returns: { status: "success", message: {...createdRecord} } including service_id. Use that to assign members via updateUser.services (CSV) or createMemberSubCategoryLink.

How a member gets classified on their public profile:

  • users_data.profession_id -> points at a single Top Category (the member's primary classification; shown in URL slug)

  • users_data.services -> CSV of Sub Category IDs the member is tagged with (multiple allowed; simpler than the join table)

  • rel_services rows (Member ↔ Sub Category links) -> used when you need per-link metadata like avg_price, specialty, num_completed. Optional; most sites use just the CSV field.

Sub-sub-categories: createSubCategory with master_id=<parent service_id> creates a Sub Category nested under another Sub Category (a "sub-sub"). master_id=0 (default) means the Sub Category sits directly under a Top Category (the profession_id).

There is NO createProfession or createService tool in this MCP — those are BD's internal table names. Use createTopCategory / createSubCategory instead (BD's table-name → tool-name mapping is documented in Rule: Table to endpoint).

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameYes
profession_idYesParent category ID
descNoShort internal taxonomy-row label. **Even if the user says "description" - this is NOT an SEO description.** Not a meta-tag surface, not Google-ranking copy, not the H1/intro on the public category search page. Most BD themes don't render this field. For ANY SEO task on a category or sub-category - "write a description that ranks," "improve SEO," "add meta tags," "write intro copy" - create a WebPage with `seo_type=profile_search_results` and the matching slug instead (see `createWebPage`). Short internal blurb only here.
filenameNoURL slug. Must be unique across web pages, top categories, sub categories, plan public URLs, and member profile slugs (wrapper auto-rejects collisions; pick a different slug or rename the conflict first).
keywordsNoFuzzy-search synonyms for on-site category matching - NOT SEO meta-keywords. Comma-separated single words (no spaces): synonyms, abbreviations, slang, common misspellings. Example for `Doctor`: `doc,physician,md,medic,gp,specialist`. ~5-10 max. Skip SEO phrases like `doctor near me` - those aren't fuzzy matchers. Optional.
sort_orderNo
lead_priceNo
master_idNo
Behavior5/5

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

Annotations indicate a mutation (readOnlyHint false). The description adds 'Writes live data', details the auto-suffix fallback on collision, and warns that changes are immediately public. No contradiction with 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 well-structured with sections (Use when, Required, Pre-check, Parameter guidance, etc.) and front-loaded. However, it includes some tangential explanations (member classification, sub-sub-categories) that lengthen it slightly.

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

Completeness5/5

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

Given the complexity (8 parameters, no output schema, openWorldHint true), the description covers purpose, usage, parameters, return format, pre-check workflow, auto-suffix fallback, and related tools. It is fully adequate for an AI agent.

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

Parameters5/5

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

The description adds meaning beyond the input schema: for name ('human-readable e.g. Sushi'), profession_id ('parent Top Category ID from listTopCategories'), master_id (nesting explanation), and filename (URL-slug form). Even with 50% schema coverage, the description fills gaps.

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 'Create a new SUB-level member category under an existing Top Category' and distinguishes it from sibling tools like createTopCategory and updateSubCategory by explicitly noting the hierarchy and usage.

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 provides explicit guidance: 'Use when: explicitly adding a sub-category BEFORE assigning members to it', contrasts with inline creation in createUser/updateUser, and includes pre-check instructions for uniqueness. It also lists see-also tools.

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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