ableton-mcp

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plan_midi_ratchet_pattern

Read-onlyIdempotent

Plan straight or triplet MIDI repeats across complete ordered onsets in Ableton Live clips, setting span, per-onset ratchet counts, and gate for exact rhythms.

Instructions

Plan explicit straight or triplet MIDI repeats across complete ordered onsets.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`gate`	Yes	Each repeated note's duration as a fraction of its subdivision.
`clipId`	Yes	list_clips Session ID or supported list_arrangement_clips ID.
`noteIds`	Yes	Unique stable note IDs at complete selected onsets.
`trackId`	Yes	ID from list_tracks.
`spanBeats`	Yes	Total beat span occupied by every selected onset's repeats.
`repeatCounts`	Yes	Repeating ratchet count by ordered onset; 3 creates an exact triplet inside spanBeats.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed3 schema fields changedv0.3.1Oct 23, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / clipId / description

Previous value: -"Session ID from list_clips; Arrangement ID from list_arrangement_clips where supported."New value: +"list_clips Session ID or supported list_arrangement_clips ID."

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

addedOutput schema / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "properties": {
+      "clipId": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "context": {
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "plan": {
+        "properties": {
+          "changes": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "newNotes": {
+            "items": {
+              "properties": {
+                "duration": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "pitch": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                },
+                "start": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "velocity": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                }
+              },
+              "required": [
+                "pitch",
+                "start",
+                "duration",
+                "velocity"
+              ],
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "noteIds": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "integer"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "notes": {
+            "items": {
+              "properties": {
+                "duration": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "pitch": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                },
+                "start": {
+                  "type": "number"
+                },
+                "velocity": {
+                  "maximum": 127,
+                  "minimum": 0,
+                  "type": "integer"
+                }
+              },
+              "required": [
+                "pitch",
+                "start",
+                "duration",
+                "velocity"
+              ],
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "preservedNotes": {
+            "items": {
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "stateVersion": {
+        "minimum": 1,
+        "type": "integer"
+      },
+      "trackId": {
+        "type": "string"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "stateVersion",
+      "trackId",
+      "clipId",
+      "context",
+      "plan"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "properties": {
+      "error": {
+        "properties": {
+          "message": {
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "outcome": {
+            "enum": [
+              "unknown",
+              "not_executed"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "message",
+          "outcome"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      }
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ],
+    "type": "object"
+  }
+]

Changed3 schema fields changedv0.3.0Oct 19, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / clipId / description

Previous value: -"Stable clip ID: track-N:clip-M from list_clips, or track-N:arrangement-clip-M from list_arrangement_clips for tools that support Arrangement clips."New value: +"Session ID from list_clips; Arrangement ID from list_arrangement_clips where supported."

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

B3.4/5.0

Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, destructiveHint=false, and openWorldHint=false, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds the constraint that onsets must be complete and ordered and that repeats must fit within spanBeats, but it does not clarify what the planning output contains or how it differs from applying the pattern.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

A single front-loaded sentence with no wasted words. The core scope and qualifier are immediately visible.

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?

With an output schema, full parameter coverage, and annotations covering read-only/idempotent behavior, the description is nearly sufficient. The main gap is not routing the agent to apply_midi_ratchet_pattern after planning, which would complete the workflow context.

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 description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents all six parameters including the triplet implication for repeatCounts=3. The description only restates the high-level constraint ('complete ordered onsets') and does not add syntax or edge-case meaning beyond the schema.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description states a specific verb ('Plan') and resource ('MIDI repeats'/'ratchet pattern') and qualifies the scope as straight or triplet repeats across complete ordered onsets. That is clear enough to distinguish it from generic MIDI-editing siblings, though it never names apply_midi_ratchet_pattern as the execution counterpart.

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

There is no explicit guidance on when to call this versus apply_midi_ratchet_pattern or the other plan_midi_* tools. The 'plan' prefix implies pre-application drafting, but the description neither states prerequisites nor warns that this only returns a plan.

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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