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getSubCategory

Read-onlyIdempotent

Fetch a single sub-category by service ID. Optionally include full SEO metadata. Use after listing sub-categories to get details.

Instructions

Get a single service - Fetch a single SUB-level member category (service) by service_id. Read-only.

Lean by default: keeps service_id, profession_id, master_id, name, filename. Strips SEO metadata (desc, keywords, image, icon, sort_order, lead_price, revision_timestamp). Pass include_category_schema=1 to restore.

Use when: fetching one sub-category by service_id - usually after discovering it via listSubCategories.

Required: service_id (path).

See also: listSubCategories (enumerate; filter by profession_id for scope), getTopCategory (fetch parent Top by profession_id).

Returns: { status: "success", message: [{...record}] }.

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
service_idYes
include_category_schemaNoOpt in to restore full category metadata: `desc` (SEO description), `keywords`, `image`, `icon`, `sort_order`, `lead_price`, `revision_timestamp`. Default lean keeps: category ID + `name` + `filename` + hierarchy links (`profession_id` on top/sub, `master_id` on sub for sub-sub parent). Hierarchy is always visible so agents can traverse top -> sub -> sub-sub without opt-in.
Behavior5/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and idempotentHint=true. Description adds critical info about lean default behavior (strips SEO metadata), how to opt-in (include_category_schema=1), and return format. No contradictions.

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?

Core purpose and usage are front-loaded in first sentences. However, additional paragraphs about member classification and sub-sub-categories, while informative, extend length. Could be trimmed without losing essential guidance.

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?

Covers purpose, parameters, return format, lean behavior, and when to use. Provides relevant domain context about classifications. No output schema but return format is described. Complete for a read tool with good annotations.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Schema coverage is 50% (only include_category_schema has description). Description compensates by explaining what each parameter does: service_id is path, include_category_schema restores metadata. Adds meaning beyond schema defaults.

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?

Clearly states 'Get a single service - Fetch a single SUB-level member category (service) by service_id.' Specifies verb and resource, and distinguishes from sibling tools like listSubCategories and getTopCategory.

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?

Provides explicit 'Use when' guidance and 'See also' section naming alternative tools and their purposes. Tells agent to use after discovering via listSubCategories, and contrasts with getTopCategory.

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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