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djwmarcx

Better Mealie MCP

by djwmarcx
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Remote

Update Recipes

update_recipes

Update multiple recipes in Mealie by sending a list of recipe objects with the fields to modify, applying changes in a single batch.

Instructions

Update Many

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
bodyYes
accept-languageNo

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed10 schema fields changedv3.26.0
    • addedInput schema / $defs / CreateIngredientFood / properties / substitutions
      Added value: +{
+  "items": {
+    "$ref": "#/$defs/CreateIngredientFoodSubstitution"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / CreateIngredientFoodSubstitution
      Added value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "note": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    "substituteFoodId": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "format": "uuid",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  },
+  "type": "object"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / IngredientFood-Input / properties / substitutions
      Added value: +{
+  "items": {
+    "$ref": "#/$defs/IngredientFoodSubstitution"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / IngredientFoodSubstitution
      Added value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "note": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    "substituteFood": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/IngredientFoodSummary"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    "substituteFoodId": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "format": "uuid",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  },
+  "type": "object"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / IngredientFoodSummary
      Added value: +{
+  "description": "A trimmed projection of a food, with nothing on it that can recurse.\n\nSubstitutions reference this rather than the full IngredientFood, which would make\nPydantic walk food -> substitutions -> food forever and generate an equally circular\nTypeScript type.",
+  "properties": {
+    "id": {
+      "format": "uuid",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "name": {
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "pluralName": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "id",
+    "name"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / NoteReference
      Added value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "referenceId": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "format": "uuid",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  },
+  "type": "object"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / RecipeIngredient-Input / properties / substitutions
      Added value: +{
+  "items": {
+    "$ref": "#/$defs/RecipeIngredientSubstitution"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / RecipeIngredientSubstitution
      Added value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "note": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    "substituteFood": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "$ref": "#/$defs/IngredientFoodSummary"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    },
+    "substituteFoodId": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "format": "uuid",
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        {
+          "type": "null"
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  },
+  "type": "object"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / RecipeNote / properties / referenceId
      Added value: +{
+  "format": "uuid",
+  "type": "string"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / RecipeStep / properties / noteReferences
      Added value: +{
+  "items": {
+    "$ref": "#/$defs/NoteReference"
+  },
+  "type": "array"
+}
  2. Changed3 schema fields changedv3.25.1
    • addedInput schema / $defs / RecipeCategory / properties / recipeCount
      Added value: +{
+  "type": "integer"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / RecipeTag / properties / recipeCount
      Added value: +{
+  "type": "integer"
+}
    • addedInput schema / $defs / RecipeTool / properties / recipeCount
      Added value: +{
+  "type": "integer"
+}
  3. First observedv3.20.1

TDQS

D1.5/5.0
Behavior1/5

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 behavioral disclosure, and 'Update Many' discloses nothing. It fails to state whether this replaces or merges existing recipes, how nested objects are handled, what happens on partial failure, or whether the operation is reversible.

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

Conciseness2/5

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

Two words is under-specification rather than conciseness. Being short is not a virtue when the text conveys no usable information to an agent.

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

Completeness1/5

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

This is a bulk-update tool with a massive, complex schema (array of Recipe-Input with dozens of nested fields), no output schema, and no annotations. The description provides no orientation on return shape, failure semantics, scope of the update, or how it relates to the other recipe update endpoints, making correct invocation nearly impossible.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters1/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 0%, so the description must compensate for the schema's silence, and it adds nothing. The body array of Recipe-Input objects and accept-language parameter are entirely unexplained by the two-word description.

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

Purpose2/5

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

The description 'Update Many' is essentially a tautology of the name and title — it restates that updates happen but never names the resource being updated. 'Many' hints at bulk operation, which adds a sliver of information, but an agent cannot tell this updates recipes, let alone distinguish it from patch_recipes or update_recipes_by_slug.

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 zero guidance on when to use this tool. The sibling list includes patch_recipes, update_recipes_by_slug, patch_recipes_by_slug, and create_recipes, and the description offers no context, exclusions, or alternatives to help an agent choose among them.

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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