Skip to main content
Glama
brilliantdirectories

brilliant-directories-mcp

Official

updateTopCategory

Idempotent

Update an existing top-level member category by its ID to rename, change URL slug, update SEO keywords, or reorder. Writes changes live to the public site.

Instructions

Update a category - Update an existing TOP-level member category by profession_id. Fields omitted are untouched. Writes live data.

Use when: renaming a category, changing its URL slug (filename), updating SEO keywords, or reordering. Changing filename breaks inbound links - also create a Redirect via createRedirect to preserve SEO.

Required: profession_id.

Filename rename caveat: if the existing filename has a seo_type=profile_search_results web page bound to it, renaming this category orphans that page. The wrapper rejects renames that would orphan a bound page — rename or delete the bound page first, then rename the category.

See also: createTopCategory (add new), deleteTopCategory (remove).

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

Returns: { status: "success", message: {...updatedRecord} }.

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
profession_idYesThe top-level category ID to update (from createTopCategory / listTopCategories).
nameNo
filenameNoURL slug. Renaming orphans any `seo_type=profile_search_results` web page bound to the OLD filename — that page can't query this category anymore and renders empty. Before renaming, run `listWebPages property=filename property_value=<old-filename>`; if a profile_search_results page exists, rename it in the same operation (and consider `createRedirect` for SEO continuity).
descNoShort internal taxonomy-row label. **Even if the user says "description" - this is NOT an SEO description.** Most BD themes don't render this field. For SEO copy on the Top-Category public search page (H1, intro, meta tags), create a WebPage with `seo_type=profile_search_results` + matching slug (see `createWebPage`). Short internal blurb only here.
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.
iconNo
sort_orderNo
lead_priceNo
imageNo
_clear_fieldsNoColumn names to clear to empty string. Available on every `update*` operation. Works on base columns AND EAV/`users_meta` rows (rows preserved with `value=""`). To actually clear a field you MUST use this parameter — sending the field with `""` alone is a no-op (BD drops empty values). To remove a `users_meta` row entirely, use `deleteUserMeta`. See **Rule: Clearing fields**. Example: `_clear_fields: ["h2", "hero_link_url"]`.
Behavior5/5

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

Discloses live data writing, filename rename caveat (orphaning pages, rejection), and that fields omitted are untouched. No contradiction with annotations (idempotentHint=true, destructiveHint=false, readOnlyHint=false). Adds critical behavioral context beyond structured fields.

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?

Well-structured with sections and front-loaded key points. Some repetition in explaining classification and subcategories could be condensed, but each part adds value. Efficient use of space given complexity.

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 return format, required fields, caveats, parameter details, and even background on member classification. No output schema, but return format is specified. Thorough for a 10-parameter mutation tool.

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?

Adds significant meaning for key parameters (filename with URL slug and SEO impact, desc as internal label, keywords as fuzzy synonyms, _clear_fields with clearing rules). For parameters without schema descriptions (name, icon, etc.), no extra detail, but overall compensation is high. Schema coverage 50% is adequately supplemented.

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 the verb (update), resource (top-level member category), and key behavior (fields omitted are untouched, writes live data). It distinguishes from sibling tools like createTopCategory and deleteTopCategory.

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' scenarios, required parameter (profession_id), caveats about renaming filename and orphaning pages, and references to related tools. Clear guidance on when to use and when not to.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Install Server

Other Tools

Latest Blog Posts

MCP directory API

We provide all the information about MCP servers via our MCP API.

curl -X GET 'https://glama.ai/api/mcp/v1/servers/brilliantdirectories/brilliant-directories-mcp'

If you have feedback or need assistance with the MCP directory API, please join our Discord server