get_foods_by_itemRetrieve a specific food item by its UUID to get exact details from Mealie. Use when you need one item's data without listing all foods.
Get One
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| item_id | Yes | ||
| accept-language | No |
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v3.20.1Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full behavioral disclosure burden. 'Get One' implies a read operation but does not state permission requirements, error behavior, side effects, or what the response represents.
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 words are concise, but this is under-specification rather than efficient structure. The description omits essential context and does not front-load any useful information beyond what the tool name already conveys.
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?
Even though an output schema exists, the description is too sparse to support correct tool selection or invocation. An agent cannot determine what resource is being retrieved, when to use this tool, or how the parameters relate to the operation.
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 0%, and the description adds no meaning to the parameters. It does not clarify that item_id identifies a specific food, nor does it explain the optional accept-language parameter. The schema provides the only parameter information, and the description fails to compensate for the coverage gap.
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 'Get One' essentially restates the verb in the tool name without naming the resource or scope. It does not distinguish this from sibling 'get_by_item' tools such as get_units_by_item or get_comments_by_item, leaving the agent to infer that this retrieves a single food.
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?
There is no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like list_foods or update_foods_by_item. 'Get One' only weakly implies single-item retrieval and provides no context about prerequisites, exclusions, or when a different tool should be chosen.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.