Pendo Ontology MCP Server
Click on "Deploy Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@Pendo Ontology MCP Servercreate a concept 'Power User' measuring feature adoption within 30 days"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
pendo-ontology-mcp
A semantic ontology layer for Pendo, as an MCP server. Pairs with the Pendo MCP server: Pendo MCP is the data plane (live entities, usage, retention, funnels); this server is the meaning plane — the business concepts, definitions, entity relationships, causes, and playbooks your workspace has agreed on.
Why
LLM agents querying product analytics fail in a characteristic way: they don't know what your objects mean. Feature and segment names encode tribal knowledge, business terms like "activation" have workspace-specific definitions that live in people's heads, and the relationships between objects and business goals are written down nowhere — so agents ask endless follow-ups and produce confidently wrong answers.
This server is the place where that meaning gets written down — and it's designed so the LLM itself does most of the writing. The flywheel:
you ask questions → the model learns what you care about
→ it proposes/records concepts here (you review)
→ every future question is grounded in your definitions
→ answers get sharper → you ask moreThe ontology store is a single portable JSON file: diffable, version-controllable, and an organizational asset that survives model swaps and agent rewrites.
Related MCP server: EnrichMCP
What it is (and isn't)
A typed JSON graph, not RDF/OWL. Its consumers are an LLM context window and a human reviewer.
Query-language agnostic. Concepts carry a prose
measurementHint("weekly cohort retention over the measured features"), not query templates. The agent turns hints into concrete Pendo MCP calls (entityUsageTimeSeries,cohortRetentionCurve, …).No LLM calls inside the server. The client model is the intelligence; this server contributes deterministic guarantees (stable ids, phrase-match floors, coverage gaps) and durable storage.
Data model
STRUCTURAL (synced/pushed, rebuildable) SEMANTIC (the asset)
───────────────────────────────────── ─────────────────────────────
EntityNode Concept
id: "feature:<pendoId>" ← stable name, definition
kind: feature|page|segment| measurementHint (prose)
productArea|trackEvent|object measures: [entity ids]
pendoId ← valid directly in Pendo tools causes[] (+ questionTemplate)
name, appId?, url?, groupId? actions[] (+ questionTemplate)
tags[], sourceStable ids mean concept links survive full re-syncs. Entities deleted upstream leave dangling references that are ignored, never destroyed — a later sync may bring them back.
Install
git clone <this repo> && cd pendo-ontology-mcp
npm install && npm run buildClaude Code
claude mcp add pendo-ontology -- node /path/to/pendo-ontology-mcp/dist/index.jsClaude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)
{
"mcpServers": {
"pendo-ontology": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/pendo-ontology-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"ONTOLOGY_STORE_PATH": "/path/to/team/ontology.json"
}
}
}
}Environment
Variable | Default | Purpose |
|
| Where the ontology lives. Point at a repo file to share with your team. |
| — | Enables the optional |
|
| Override for EU/other regions. |
Tools
Tool | Purpose |
| Overview: entity counts + every concept (definition, measurement hint, measured entities with pendoIds, causes, actions). Call first. |
| Search entities & concepts by name. Product areas expand into member features. |
| Full registered catalogue, features grouped by area — for picking measure links. |
| Create/update a concept. |
| Remove a concept (cause links to it are scrubbed). |
| Deterministic phrase-match candidates for a problem statement — the precision floor under the model's own semantic picks. |
| Entities no concept measures yet. Join with Pendo MCP usage data to rank concept candidates. |
| The easy sync path: pass a RAW Pendo MCP tool result ( |
| Structured push with explicit kinds (merge or replace). Use when you've already reshaped the data. |
| Optional direct REST sync (needs |
Resource: ontology://digest — a markdown digest of the whole ontology, ready to be pulled into context.
The pairing workflow (with Pendo MCP)
Seed the structure — ask Claude:
"List my product areas and features via Pendo, then register them in the ontology."
Claude calls Pendo MCP (
listProductAreas,listCountables,segmentList) and pipes each raw result straight intoingest_pendo_payload— no reshaping, no Pendo API key. (Alternatives:register_entitiesfor pre-shaped data, orPENDO_INTEGRATION_KEY+sync_from_pendofor direct REST sync.)Define what matters — ask:
"Define a concept 'Activation': accounts that used ≥3 core features in week 1. Map the entities it measures."
Claude drafts the concept, picks semantically-related entities from
get_entity_catalogue(plus thesuggest_linksfloor), and saves withupsert_concept.Let usage drive coverage — ask:
"What high-usage entities aren't covered by any concept?"
Claude joins
list_coverage_gapswith Pendo MCP usage (entityUsage) and proposes new concepts from the gaps.Ask grounded questions — from now on:
"How is Activation trending?"
Claude reads the concept (definition +
measurementHint+ measure pendoIds) and goes straight to the right Pendo MCP calls — no follow-up questions, no guessed IDs, your definition every time.
Design notes
Phrase-matching is the floor, not the ceiling. Single-token name matching measured 119 false positives for "agent" in a real workspace; two-word phrases stay precise but can't see semantics. The model does the semantic mapping;
suggest_links/autoLinkguarantee the obvious matches are never missed.Ontologies don't work on day 1. Meaning is distilled from use — questions asked, usage observed, definitions clarified. Start with structure + one or two concepts; let the flywheel run.
Errors are results. Lookups return notes, not exceptions; a miss tells the model exactly which fallback to take.
License
MIT
Available Tools
11 toolsdelete_conceptA
Delete a concept by id. Links to it from other concepts' causes are scrubbed.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It explicitly discloses that links to the concept from other concepts' causes are scrubbed, which is a significant side effect. However, it does not mention irreversibility, required permissions, or return value, leaving some gaps in transparency.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two sentences, directly front-loaded with the main action, and every sentence contributes meaningful information. It is appropriately sized and avoids unnecessary detail.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool has one parameter, no annotations, and no output schema. The description covers the core action and the link-scrubbing side effect, but it lacks information about permanence, return value, or error conditions, which are relevant for a delete operation. For its simplicity, it is reasonably complete but not fully specified.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema has a single 'id' parameter with no description, and the description only says 'by id,' which aligns with the parameter name but adds little extra meaning. It does not specify the id format or clarify that it is the concept's unique identifier beyond what the property name implies.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool deletes a concept by id, with a specific verb and resource. It also distinguishes itself from sibling tools like get_concept and upsert_concept by focusing on deletion, and the added detail about scrubbing links clarifies the operation.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, such as upsert_concept, or when not to use it. There are no prerequisites, exclusions, or references to other tools, leaving the usage context entirely implicit.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_conceptA
Full detail for ONE concept by id or (case-insensitive) name: definition, measurement hint, measured entities with pendoIds, all causes and playbook actions. Use after get_product_map identified the relevant concept.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | No | Concept id (preferred). | |
| name | No | Exact or partial concept name (case-insensitive); first match wins. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the transparency burden. It discloses case-insensitive name matching and the scope of returned data, and implies read-only behavior with 'get'. It does not mention behavior for unknown IDs or not-found cases, but for a single-concept getter this is acceptable.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences: the first front-loads the action, target, and return fields; the second gives usage context. No wasted words or repetition of schema details.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple read tool with two optional parameters and no output schema, the description adequately covers what the tool returns, how to identify the target concept, and when to use it. The absence of an error-handling note is minor given the tool's straightforward nature.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The input schema already provides full descriptions for both parameters, including case-insensitivity and first-match-wins behavior. The description only paraphrases the id-or-name distinction without adding new meaning, so it meets the baseline for high schema coverage.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool retrieves full detail for exactly one concept by id or name, listing the included fields (definition, measurement hint, measured entities with pendoIds, causes, playbook actions). This distinguishes it from sibling tools like get_product_map which focuses on map-level identification.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicitly instructs to use this tool after get_product_map has identified the relevant concept, providing clear sequencing and implicit differentiation from alternatives like lookup_ontology or list_coverage_gaps.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_entity_catalogueA
The registered-entity catalogue (features grouped by product area), filterable and paginated. Use this to pick entity ids when linking a concept to what it measures ("map on meaning, not just literal words"). Prefer search/kind filters over paging through everything.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| area | No | Restrict features to one product area (name substring). | |
| kind | No | Restrict to one kind. | |
| limit | No | Max entities to return. | |
| offset | No | Entities to skip (pagination). | |
| search | No | Case-insensitive substring on entity name. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden. It discloses that the catalogue is filterable and paginated, and that it returns features grouped by product area. It also warns against paging through everything. However, it does not explicitly state that the operation is read-only or describe the response shape, so a small gap remains.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two sentences long, front-loads the core definition, and provides actionable guidance without fluff. Every word earns its place, including the parenthetical emphasis on mapping by meaning.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a read-only listing tool with 5 optional parameters and no output schema, the description provides sufficient context: purpose, filters, pagination, and usage strategy. It does not describe the exact return fields, but that is not strictly necessary for tool selection and invocation.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description adds strategic advice about preferring search/kind filters but does not explain individual parameters beyond what the schema already provides. It adds some context about entities being features grouped by product area, but not enough to raise the score.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool returns a catalogue of registered entities grouped by product area, with filtering and pagination. It also specifies a concrete use case (picking entity IDs when linking concepts to measured meanings), which distinguishes it from sibling tools like lookup_ontology or get_concept.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicit guidance is provided: 'Use this to pick entity ids when linking a concept to what it measures' and 'Prefer search/kind filters over paging through everything.' This tells the agent when to use the tool and the appropriate strategy, fulfilling the dimension well.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_product_mapA
Overview of the workspace ontology: entity counts and the concept index. Call this FIRST when answering product-analytics questions — it is the workspace's agreed vocabulary. Returns concept BRIEFS by default (name, truncated definition, tags, link counts) — fetch full detail for the one you need via get_concept. detail:"full" expands in place (paginated; use sparingly).
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | Max concepts to return. | |
| detail | No | summary (default): one brief per concept. full: complete concepts (definition, measures with pendoIds, causes, actions) — paginated. | summary |
| offset | No | Concepts to skip (pagination). |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses the default return format ('concept BRIEFS by default (name, truncated definition, tags, link counts)'), the effect of detail:'full' ('expands in place, paginated'), and adds a performance caution ('use sparingly'). It also notes the output is paginated, a behavioral trait not in the schema. This is transparent for a read tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three concise sentences, each serving a distinct purpose: purpose, usage guidance, and output/parameter detail. No filler or redundant repetition of schema information. Front-loaded with the core purpose.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
No output schema exists, so the description appropriately explains the return payload (briefs, full detail) and pagination. It also provides the essential usage context (workspace vocabulary, first call) and the alternative for full detail. Given the tool's moderate complexity (3 simple params), the description is complete.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Input schema covers all three parameters with descriptions (100% coverage), establishing a baseline of 3. The description adds value by clarifying the default behavior ('Returns concept BRIEFS by default') and by giving additional guidance on the detail parameter ('use sparingly', 'expands in place') – context not present in the schema description alone. This raises the score to 4.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
States it provides an 'Overview of the workspace ontology: entity counts and the concept index' – a clear resource and scope. It explicitly positions itself as the entry point ('Call this FIRST') and differentiates from get_concept by directing full-detail lookups there. This distinguishes it from sibling tools by its role as the top-level index.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicitly says 'Call this FIRST when answering product-analytics questions' – clear when to use. Names get_concept as the alternative for full detail on a single concept, and cautions 'detail:"full" expands in place (paginated; use sparingly)' – telling when to avoid using the full mode. This is ideal usage guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
ingest_pendo_payloadA
EASIEST way to store Pendo objects: pass a RAW result from a Pendo MCP tool (listCountables, listProductAreas, segmentList, searchEntities, list_all_applications…) exactly as returned — array, wrapper object, or JSON string — and it is normalized and merged into the ontology. Provide kind as the default for items that carry no kind field (product areas and segments are bare {id,name}); per-item evidence (elementPathRules → feature, url → page, explicit type fields, kind-named wrapper keys like "features") overrides it.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| kind | No | Default kind for items without their own kind evidence. REQUIRED in practice for listProductAreas / segmentList output. | |
| appId | No | appId to stamp on items that lack one. | |
| payload | No | The raw Pendo MCP tool result: an array of items, an object wrapping arrays, or a JSON string of either. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the burden. It discloses normalization and merging behavior, explains how default kind is applied and overridden by per-item evidence. Missing details on merge semantics (e.g., overwrite vs. append) but the core behavior is well described.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is dense but focused. It front-loads the main idea and uses examples to clarify. The phrase 'EASIEST' is slightly promotional but the content is informative without being bloated.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a tool with no output schema and no annotations, the description covers input formats, parameter behavior, and merge logic well. It does not describe return values or error handling, but the primary ingest purpose is adequately addressed.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, but the description adds meaningful context: explains that `kind` is a default for items lacking kind evidence, `payload` can be array/wrapper/JSON string, and `appId` is stamped. This goes beyond the schema's static descriptions.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's function: ingest raw Pendo MCP tool results and normalize/merge them into the ontology. It enumerates specific source tools and input formats, and the distinction from siblings like 'sync_from_pendo' is implicit by focusing on raw payload ingestion.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Provides explicit usage context: pass raw Pendo MCP results, and indicates when `kind` is required (for product areas and segments). It does not explicitly contrast with alternative tools like sync_from_pendo, but the examples and instructions give clear practical guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
list_coverage_gapsA
Entities NOT measured by any concept — candidates for new business definitions. Join with usage data from the Pendo MCP server (e.g. entityUsage) to rank: high-usage unmeasured entities are the strongest concept candidates.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| kind | No | ||
| limit | No | Max entities to return. | |
| offset | No | Entities to skip (pagination). |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of explaining behavior. It clearly indicates this is a listing operation (no side effects implied) and adds semantic context about candidates and usage ranking. However, it does not disclose details like return format, whether results are ordered, or any permissions needed. The description is adequate but lacks rich behavioral disclosure.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two sentences long, front-loaded with the core definition, and ends with actionable usage guidance. Every word earns its place, with no redundancy or filler. It is a model of concise, structured communication.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given no output schema and no annotations, the description covers the main contextual needs: purpose, use case, and ranking strategy. It could be more complete by describing the output structure or default behavior, but the combination of the purpose statement and usage guidance provides a solid understanding for agent selection. The clarity of the tool's place in the workflow compensates for minor omissions.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema already documents 'limit' and 'offset' with descriptions, but the 'kind' parameter has no description. The tool description adds no parameter-specific meaning and does not mention that you can filter by entity type. While the enum values are self-explanatory, the description misses the opportunity to clarify the role of 'kind' in the context of coverage gaps, leaving the parameter semantics under-specified.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states it lists 'Entities NOT measured by any concept' and frames them as 'candidates for new business definitions.' This specific verb-resource pairing distinguishes it from sibling tools like get_concept or lookup_ontology, which handle existing concepts or maps. The purpose is immediately clear and non-tautological.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides explicit guidance on how to use the results: 'Join with usage data from the Pendo MCP server (e.g. entityUsage) to rank' and identifies high-usage unmeasured entities as strongest candidates. This gives a clear use case and workflow, though it does not name alternatives or explicitly say when not to use this tool. Still, the context is strong enough for an agent to decide appropriately.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
lookup_ontologyA
Search the ontology by name (case-insensitive substring). Entity hits return kind/pendoId/product-area/linked concepts; productArea hits expand into member features; concept hits return the full definition, measurement hint, measured entities with pendoIds, causes, and actions.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| kind | No | Restrict matches to one kind. | |
| limit | No | Max matches to return. | |
| query | Yes | Full or partial name of an entity or concept. Example: "Agent Mode" |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses significant behavioral detail: case-insensitive substring matching and distinct return payloads for entity, productArea, and concept hits. It does not cover error handling or side effects, but this appears to be a read-only search.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
A single well-structured sentence that front-loads the primary action and efficiently describes conditional return behaviors. Every clause adds necessary information without redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given 3 parameters and no output schema, the description provides a solid map of the response space, covering the main return variants and their fields. It omits ordering/pagination details, but the limit parameter's schema covers max results, so overall completeness is adequate.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The input schema already describes all 3 parameters, but the description adds semantic value: it explains the query interpretation (case-insensitive substring) and how the kind of the matched item changes the response structure. This supplements the schema description of the 'query' parameter.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the action ('Search the ontology by name') and specifies matching mode (case-insensitive substring). It distinguishes this tool from siblings like get_concept or list_coverage_gaps by describing different result types (entity, productArea, concept) and what each returns.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies when to use the tool: when searching ontology entries by name and expecting polymorphic results. It doesn't explicitly name alternatives or provide exclusions, but the context makes the primary use case clear.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
register_entitiesA
Register or update Pendo entities in the structural layer using an explicit, pre-shaped list. For raw Pendo MCP tool results, prefer ingest_pendo_payload — it normalizes them for you. Ids are derived as ":" and stay stable, so concept links survive re-registration.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| mode | No | merge (default): upsert by id. replace: the list becomes the entire structural layer. | merge |
| entities | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full transparency burden. It adds valuable behavior beyond the schema by explaining the ID derivation rule ("<kind>:<pendoId>") and its stability, which reassures about re-registration. It does not mention the destructive impact of `replace` mode, but that is already covered in the schema's parameter description, so the description still adds meaningful new information.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is three sentences that are all front-loaded and purposeful: first the main action, then the explicit alternative, then a key behavioral detail. There is no fluff or repetition of schema content.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool has moderate complexity (two parameters, one nested array) and no output schema, so the description should provide some sense of return values or broader side effects. It covers purpose, usage guidance, and ID stability, but it does not hint at what the tool returns or the full consequence of `replace` mode (replacing the entire structural layer). Since the schema already covers the mode behavior, this is a moderate gap, not a fatal one.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is only 50%, so the description should compensate. It partially does by clarifying how `pendoId` and `kind` are used to form stable IDs, adding semantic meaning to those fields. However, it does not elaborate on the `mode` parameter or other entity fields beyond what the schema already states, so compensation is incomplete.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's action ('Register or update') and its resource ('Pendo entities in the structural layer') with a specific method ('using an explicit, pre-shaped list'). It also distinguishes itself from sibling tools, especially `ingest_pendo_payload`, by contrasting raw results with pre-shaped lists.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly provides an alternative tool ('prefer ingest_pendo_payload') and the condition for using it ('For raw Pendo MCP tool results'), giving clear when-to-use and when-not-to-use guidance. This is directly useful for agent selection.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
suggest_linksA
Deterministic candidates for what a concept measures: entities whose names phrase-match the given statement. This is the precision FLOOR — you (the model) should additionally pick semantically related entities from get_entity_catalogue that string matching cannot find.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| statement | Yes | Concept name and/or definition (the problem statement). |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses key behavioral traits: 'Deterministic' and 'precision FLOOR,' which sets expectations for output quality/scope. It also notes the limitation (string matching only) and directs the model to supplement with another tool. However, it does not specify the exact return format or potential errors, so a small gap remains.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences, no fluff. The first sentence delivers the core purpose immediately; the second provides essential guidance. Every sentence earns its place, and the structure is easy to parse.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple single-parameter tool with no output schema, the description covers purpose, usage, and even a cross-reference to a sibling tool. It does not specify the return format (e.g., entity IDs), but given the tool's simplicity and the strong usage guidance, it is nearly complete.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% and the single parameter already has a description in the schema ('Concept name and/or definition (the problem statement).'). The tool description adds no new parameter details beyond referencing 'the given statement,' which is consistent with the schema. Thus baseline 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description states exactly what the tool does: 'Deterministic candidates for what a concept measures: entities whose names phrase-match the given statement.' It uses a specific verb ('suggest') and resource ('links' as entities), and distinguishes itself from get_entity_catalogue by emphasizing deterministic phrase matching.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicitly instructs the model to 'additionally pick semantically related entities from get_entity_catalogue that string matching cannot find,' defining when to use this tool (for string matches) and when to use the alternative. This is clear and actionable guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
sync_from_pendoA
OPTIONAL direct sync of features, pages, segments and product areas from the Pendo REST API. Requires the PENDO_INTEGRATION_KEY environment variable on this server; without it, use register_entities with data from the Pendo MCP server instead. Merges by stable id — concepts are never touched.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| appId | No | Scope to one app (multi-app subscriptions). | |
| expandAll | No | Fetch entities across ALL apps in the subscription. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden. It discloses a critical safety behavior: 'Merges by stable id — concepts are never touched,' which is essential context. It also mentions the environment variable prerequisite. However, it doesn't detail side effects like whether existing data is overwritten or what happens on failure, though the key safety guarantee is covered.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is only two sentences with the main action first, followed by a prerequisite and a safety note. Every phrase earns its place, and there is no fluff or repetition.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a tool with only two optional parameters and no output schema, the description covers the core aspects: the action, prerequisite, alternative, and a safety guarantee. It doesn't mention the return value or error modes, but these are not critical for a simple sync tool, and the overall context is sufficient.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Both parameters (appId and expandAll) have full descriptions in the schema, covering their purpose and scoping behavior. The tool description adds no additional parameter-specific meaning beyond the schema, so it meets the baseline for high schema coverage.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool syncs features, pages, segments, and product areas from the Pendo REST API, using the specific verb 'sync' and resource list. It also distinguishes itself from register_entities by naming it as an alternative, making its unique purpose obvious.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
It explicitly states when to use the tool (requires PENDO_INTEGRATION_KEY) and when not to ('without it, use register_entities'), providing a clear alternative. The 'OPTIONAL' prefix further clarifies its non-required status.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
upsert_conceptA
Create or update a business concept: a named definition (e.g. "Activation", "Agent Mode Retention") linked to the entities it measures, with likely causes when its metric moves and playbook actions. Set autoLink=true to also attach deterministic name-matched entities. This is how meaning gets INTO the ontology — prefer enriching it whenever the user defines or clarifies a business term.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | No | Omit to create; pass to update. | |
| name | Yes | ||
| tags | No | ||
| causes | No | ||
| source | No | ||
| actions | No | ||
| autoLink | No | Also link entities whose names phrase-match the concept name/definition. | |
| measures | No | Entity ids from get_entity_catalogue / lookup_ontology (e.g. "feature:abc123"). | |
| definition | Yes | The precise business definition the workspace agreed on. | |
| measurementHint | No | How to measure it, in prose — which Pendo metric/tool over the measured entities, and what number is the headline. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description must disclose behavior itself. It does explain autoLink behavior and frames the tool as an ontology write, but it does not mention update side effects, reversibility, permissions, or return shape. This is moderate transparency for a mutation tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is three sentences, front-loaded with the core action, and includes a helpful example and usage rationale without irrelevant details. Every sentence contributes value.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
This is a complex 10-parameter upsert with no output schema or annotations. The description manages the complexity well by outlining the concept structure and autoLink behavior, but it omits details about the response, update semantics beyond the schema, and potential merging behavior. Still, it is reasonably complete for an agent to decide when and how to invoke it.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is about 50%, and the description adds meaningful context by linking measures, causes, and actions to the concept's overall purpose. It also clarifies that autoLink=true attaches deterministic name-matched entities. However, some parameters like tags, source, and measurementHint remain underspecified.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with a specific verb phrase — 'Create or update a business concept' — and clearly identifies the resource and its purpose: a named definition linked to measured entities, causes, and playbook actions. This distinguishes it from siblings like get_concept and delete_concept.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description states a clear usage context: 'This is how meaning gets INTO the ontology — prefer enriching it whenever the user defines or clarifies a business term.' It gives explicit when-to-use guidance, though it does not name specific alternatives or exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
11 tool updates
v0.1.0- First observed
delete_concept - First observed
get_concept - First observed
get_entity_catalogue - First observed
get_product_map - First observed
ingest_pendo_payload - First observed
list_coverage_gaps - First observed
lookup_ontology - First observed
register_entities - First observed
suggest_links - First observed
sync_from_pendo - First observed
upsert_concept
TDQS
Scored across 11 tools
Most tools have clearly distinct purposes, but get_concept and lookup_ontology both return full concept details, and the three entity ingestion methods (register_entities, ingest_pendo_payload, sync_from_pendo) could confuse agents despite clear descriptions. Overall, the boundaries are well-defined.
All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun snake_case pattern (list_, get_, lookup_, upsert_, delete_, suggest_, register_, ingest_, sync_). The naming is predictable and makes the action and resource clear.
With 11 tools, the server is well-scoped for ontology management. Each tool covers a distinct aspect (concepts, entities, links, ingestion, discovery) without redundancy or bloat.
The tool set provides comprehensive coverage: concept CRUD (upsert_concept, delete_concept, get_concept), ontology overview/search (get_product_map, lookup_ontology), entity cataloging and registration (get_entity_catalogue, register_entities, ingest_pendo_payload, sync_from_pendo), link suggestions (suggest_links), and gap analysis (list_coverage_gaps). No obvious dead ends.
Maintenance
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