ableton-mcp

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move_arrangement_clip

Destructive

Move an exact Arrangement MIDI or audio clip to a new beat position on its current track, verifying staging before removal and refusing collisions except self-overlap.

Instructions

Move one exact Arrangement MIDI or audio clip on its current track. Binds native identity, exposed source content and prior layout; verifies staging before source removal and destination before staging removal. Self-overlap is supported; other collisions refuse. Reports partial work without rollback or replay. Same position skips writes. Updated bridge required; hidden state and clip envelopes are not verified.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`clipId`	Yes	Exact timeline clip ID from list_arrangement_clips.
`dryRun`	No	False executes with token and hash.
`trackId`	Yes	ID from list_tracks.
`planHash`	No	Plan hash.
`startBeats`	Yes	New nonnegative timeline position in beats.
`confirmationToken`	No	Single-use plan token.
`expectedStateVersion`	Yes	Observed stateVersion.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed2 schema fields changedv0.3.1Oct 23, 2026

removedOutput schema / additionalProperties
```
Removed value: -true
```

addedOutput schema / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "oneOf": [
+      {
+        "properties": {
+          "confirmation": {
+            "properties": {
+              "expiresAt": {
+                "type": "number"
+              },
+              "planHash": {
+                "pattern": "^[a-f0-9]{64}$",
+                "type": "string"
+              },
+              "token": {
+                "minLength": 1,
+                "type": "string"
+              }
+            },
+            "required": [
+              "token",
+              "planHash",
+              "expiresAt"
+            ],
+            "type": "object"
+          },
+          "dryRun": {
+            "const": true
+          },
+          "plan": {
+            "type": "object"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "dryRun",
+          "plan",
+          "confirmation"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      {
+        "properties": {
+          "dryRun": {
+            "const": false
+          },
+          "operationOutcome": {
+            "properties": {
+              "evidence": {
+                "items": {
+                  "type": "string"
+                },
+                "type": "array"
+              },
+              "reason": {
+                "type": "string"
+              },
+              "schemaVersion": {
+                "const": 1
+              },
+              "status": {
+                "enum": [
+                  "applied",
+                  "outcome_unknown",
+                  "postconditions_failed",
+                  "pending_postconditions",
+                  "pending_user_action"
+                ]
+              }
+            },
+            "required": [
+              "schemaVersion",
+              "status",
+              "reason",
+              "evidence"
+            ],
+            "type": "object"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "dryRun",
+          "operationOutcome"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      }
+    ],
+    "properties": {
+      "dryRun": {
+        "type": "boolean"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "dryRun"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "properties": {
+      "error": {
+        "properties": {
+          "message": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "outcome": {
+            "enum": [
+              "unknown",
+              "not_executed"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "message",
+          "outcome"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  }
+]

Changed6 schema fields changedv0.3.0Oct 19, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / confirmationToken / description

Previous value: -"Short-lived, single-use token returned by the matching dry run."New value: +"Single-use plan token."

changedInput schema / properties / dryRun / description

Previous value: -"Omit or true to return a plan; false requires a valid confirmationToken."New value: +"False executes with token and hash."

changedInput schema / properties / expectedStateVersion / description

Previous value: -"Exact stateVersion observed immediately before planning."New value: +"Observed stateVersion."

changedInput schema / properties / planHash / description

Previous value: -"Hash returned by the matching dry run."New value: +"Plan hash."

changedInput schema / properties / trackId / description

Previous value: -"Stable track ID returned by list_tracks."New value: +"ID from list_tracks."

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": true,
+  "type": "object"
+}

First observedv0.1.0Sep 23, 2026

TDQS

A3.9/5.0

Behavior4/5

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

Goes well beyond the annotations by disclosing the staging/verification sequence, collision policy (self-overlap allowed, others refused), partial-failure behavior with no rollback or replay, no-op on identical position, and explicit non-coverage of hidden state and clip envelopes. Only minor gap: 'same position skips writes' sits in mild tension with idempotentHint=false, though it describes a no-op guard rather than full idempotency, so it reads as clarification rather than contradiction.

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?

Five dense sentences, front-loaded with the verb and scope, then failure modes, then caveats. Nearly every clause carries information, though 'Binds native identity, exposed source content and prior layout' is jargon-heavy and opaque on first read.

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

Completeness4/5

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

For a destructive mutation with an output schema, the description does the right work: staging order, collision refusal, partial-success semantics, and stated non-verification. It stops short of explaining the confirmation-token workflow that the required parameters demand, which is the one thing an agent could still get wrong.

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 coverage is 100%, so parameter documentation is already carried by the structured fields. The description adds only indirect hints ('prior layout' implying expectedStateVersion, 'verifies staging' implying the plan/token flow) and never explains the dryRun → planHash → confirmationToken sequencing an agent must follow.

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?

States a specific verb (Move) and a tightly scoped resource: 'one exact Arrangement MIDI or audio clip on its current track.' The 'on its current track' qualifier cleanly separates it from siblings like copy_arrangement_clip_to_track or duplicate_arrangement_clip without needing to name them.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Usage is implied by the constraints ('on its current track' means cross-track relocation is someone else's job; 'same position skips writes' means no-op calls are safe), but no sibling is named and no explicit when-not guidance is given. 'Updated bridge required' is the only stated prerequisite.

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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