Control tabs in a Playwright MCP session by listing, creating, closing, or selecting them. Provide a URL for new tabs or an index to close or select a specific tab.
List, create, close, or select a browser tab.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| url | No | URL to navigate to in the new tab, used for new. | |
| index | No | Tab index, used for close/select. If omitted for close, current tab is closed. | |
| action | Yes | Operation to perform |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v0.0.83Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare destructiveHint=true and readOnlyHint=false, so the safety profile is known. However, the description adds no behavioral context beyond what the schema provides (e.g., index omission for close closes current tab is in schema). No mention of side effects like tab switching or browser-level changes.
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 a single sentence that efficiently lists all supported actions. It is front-loaded with verbs and avoids unnecessary words.
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 multiple actions and a required action parameter. The description lists the actions but does not explain action-specific requirements (e.g., URL required for new, index for close/select) or edge cases like closing the last tab. Given the schema covers parameter details, the description is adequate but not rich. With no output schema, the agent must infer return values from the action.
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% with each parameter having a description (url, index, action with enum). The tool description adds no parameter-level detail, so it does not go beyond schema. Baseline 3 applies.
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 purpose with specific verbs (list, create, close, select) and a specific resource (browser tab). It distinguishes from siblings like browser_close (closes the entire browser) and browser_navigate (navigates current tab) by focusing on tab operations.
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 usage through the list of actions but provides no explicit when-to-use guidance or exclusions. Given siblings like browser_close (closes the entire browser) and browser_navigate (navigates current tab), an agent might benefit from explicit differentiation, but the actions themselves are clear enough that usage is implied.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.