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ServiceNow MCP Server

approve_change

Submit approvals for change requests in ServiceNow using required fields like change ID, approver ID, and comments to streamline workflow processes.

Instructions

Approve a change request

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
paramsYes

Implementation Reference

  • Implements the core logic for approving a ServiceNow change request by updating the approval record and change request state.
    def approve_change(
        auth_manager: AuthManager,
        server_config: ServerConfig,
        params: Dict[str, Any],
    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
        """
        Approve a change request in ServiceNow.
    
        Args:
            auth_manager: The authentication manager.
            server_config: The server configuration.
            params: The parameters for approving a change request.
    
        Returns:
            The result of the approval.
        """
        # Unwrap and validate parameters
        result = _unwrap_and_validate_params(
            params, 
            ApproveChangeParams,
            required_fields=["change_id"]
        )
        
        if not result["success"]:
            return result
        
        validated_params = result["params"]
        
        # Get the instance URL
        instance_url = _get_instance_url(auth_manager, server_config)
        if not instance_url:
            return {
                "success": False,
                "message": "Cannot find instance_url in either server_config or auth_manager",
            }
        
        # Get the headers
        headers = _get_headers(auth_manager, server_config)
        if not headers:
            return {
                "success": False,
                "message": "Cannot find get_headers method in either auth_manager or server_config",
            }
        
        # First, find the approval record
        approval_query_url = f"{instance_url}/api/now/table/sysapproval_approver"
        
        query_params = {
            "sysparm_query": f"document_id={validated_params.change_id}",
            "sysparm_limit": 1,
        }
        
        try:
            approval_response = requests.get(approval_query_url, headers=headers, params=query_params)
            approval_response.raise_for_status()
            
            approval_result = approval_response.json()
            
            if not approval_result.get("result") or len(approval_result["result"]) == 0:
                return {
                    "success": False,
                    "message": "No approval record found for this change request",
                }
            
            approval_id = approval_result["result"][0]["sys_id"]
            
            # Now, update the approval record to approved
            approval_update_url = f"{instance_url}/api/now/table/sysapproval_approver/{approval_id}"
            headers["Content-Type"] = "application/json"
            
            approval_data = {
                "state": "approved",
            }
            
            if validated_params.approval_comments:
                approval_data["comments"] = validated_params.approval_comments
            
            approval_update_response = requests.patch(approval_update_url, json=approval_data, headers=headers)
            approval_update_response.raise_for_status()
            
            # Finally, update the change request state to "implement"
            change_url = f"{instance_url}/api/now/table/change_request/{validated_params.change_id}"
            
            change_data = {
                "state": "implement",  # This may vary depending on ServiceNow configuration
            }
            
            change_response = requests.patch(change_url, json=change_data, headers=headers)
            change_response.raise_for_status()
            
            return {
                "success": True,
                "message": "Change request approved successfully",
            }
        except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
            logger.error(f"Error approving change: {e}")
            return {
                "success": False,
                "message": f"Error approving change: {str(e)}",
            }
  • Pydantic BaseModel defining the input parameters for the approve_change tool.
    class ApproveChangeParams(BaseModel):
        """Parameters for approving a change request."""
    
        change_id: str = Field(..., description="Change request ID or sys_id")
        approver_id: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="ID of the approver")
        approval_comments: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Comments for the approval")
  • Registers the approve_change tool in the tool_definitions dictionary, linking the handler function, input schema, return type, description, and serialization method.
    "approve_change": (
        approve_change_tool,
        ApproveChangeParams,
        str,
        "Approve a change request",
        "str",  # Tool returns simple message
    ),
  • Imports the approve_change function for re-export in the tools package.
    from servicenow_mcp.tools.change_tools import (
        add_change_task,
        approve_change,
  • Includes approve_change in the __all__ list for package export.
    "approve_change",
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries full burden for behavioral disclosure. It states the action ('approve') but doesn't explain what approval entails—whether it's reversible, requires specific permissions, triggers notifications, or updates the change status. For a mutation tool with zero annotation coverage, this is a significant gap 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.

Conciseness5/5

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

The description is a single, efficient sentence with zero wasted words. It's appropriately sized for a simple action, though this brevity contributes to gaps in other dimensions.

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

Completeness2/5

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

Given the tool's mutation nature, lack of annotations, no output schema, and 0% schema description coverage, the description is incomplete. It doesn't address behavioral implications, parameter usage, or how this tool fits with siblings like 'reject_change', making it inadequate for informed agent decision-making.

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

Parameters2/5

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 undocumented parameters. It mentions no parameters at all, failing to clarify that 'change_id' is required or that 'approver_id' and 'approval_comments' are optional. This leaves the agent reliant solely on the schema without contextual guidance.

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

Purpose3/5

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

The description 'Approve a change request' clearly states the verb ('approve') and resource ('change request'), making the purpose understandable. However, it doesn't differentiate from the sibling 'reject_change' tool, which handles the opposite action on the same resource type, leaving room for ambiguity about when to use each.

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?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'reject_change' or 'submit_change_for_approval'. It lacks context about prerequisites (e.g., whether the change must be in a pending approval state) or typical workflows, leaving the agent to infer usage from tool names alone.

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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