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ServiceNow MCP Server

list_change_requests

Retrieve and filter change requests from ServiceNow by assignment group, category, state, timeframe, or type to streamline change management processes.

Instructions

List change requests from ServiceNow

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
paramsYes

Implementation Reference

  • Main handler function implementing the logic to list change requests from ServiceNow API, including parameter validation, query building, and HTTP request.
    def list_change_requests(
        auth_manager: AuthManager,
        server_config: ServerConfig,
        params: Dict[str, Any],
    ) -> Dict[str, Any]:
        """
        List change requests from ServiceNow.
    
        Args:
            auth_manager: The authentication manager.
            server_config: The server configuration.
            params: The parameters for listing change requests.
    
        Returns:
            A list of change requests.
        """
        # Unwrap and validate parameters
        result = _unwrap_and_validate_params(
            params, 
            ListChangeRequestsParams
        )
        
        if not result["success"]:
            return result
        
        validated_params = result["params"]
        
        # Build the query
        query_parts = []
        
        if validated_params.state:
            query_parts.append(f"state={validated_params.state}")
        if validated_params.type:
            query_parts.append(f"type={validated_params.type}")
        if validated_params.category:
            query_parts.append(f"category={validated_params.category}")
        if validated_params.assignment_group:
            query_parts.append(f"assignment_group={validated_params.assignment_group}")
        
        # Handle timeframe filtering
        if validated_params.timeframe:
            now = datetime.now().strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
            if validated_params.timeframe == "upcoming":
                query_parts.append(f"start_date>{now}")
            elif validated_params.timeframe == "in-progress":
                query_parts.append(f"start_date<{now}^end_date>{now}")
            elif validated_params.timeframe == "completed":
                query_parts.append(f"end_date<{now}")
        
        # Add any additional query string
        if validated_params.query:
            query_parts.append(validated_params.query)
        
        # Combine query parts
        query = "^".join(query_parts) if query_parts else ""
        
        # 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",
            }
        
        # Make the API request
        url = f"{instance_url}/api/now/table/change_request"
        
        params = {
            "sysparm_limit": validated_params.limit,
            "sysparm_offset": validated_params.offset,
            "sysparm_query": query,
            "sysparm_display_value": "true",
        }
        
        try:
            response = requests.get(url, headers=headers, params=params)
            response.raise_for_status()
            
            result = response.json()
            
            # Handle the case where result["result"] is a list
            change_requests = result.get("result", [])
            count = len(change_requests)
            
            return {
                "success": True,
                "change_requests": change_requests,
                "count": count,
                "total": count,  # Use count as total if total is not provided
            }
        except requests.exceptions.RequestException as e:
            logger.error(f"Error listing change requests: {e}")
            return {
                "success": False,
                "message": f"Error listing change requests: {str(e)}",
            }
  • Pydantic model defining the input parameters and their validation for the list_change_requests tool.
    class ListChangeRequestsParams(BaseModel):
        """Parameters for listing change requests."""
    
        limit: Optional[int] = Field(10, description="Maximum number of records to return")
        offset: Optional[int] = Field(0, description="Offset to start from")
        state: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Filter by state")
        type: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Filter by type (normal, standard, emergency)")
        category: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Filter by category")
        assignment_group: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Filter by assignment group")
        timeframe: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Filter by timeframe (upcoming, in-progress, completed)")
        query: Optional[str] = Field(None, description="Additional query string")
  • Tool registration entry in get_tool_definitions dictionary, mapping the tool name to its handler function, input schema, description, and serialization details.
    "list_change_requests": (
        list_change_requests_tool,
        ListChangeRequestsParams,
        str,  # Expects JSON string
        "List change requests from ServiceNow",
        "json",  # Tool returns list/dict
    ),
  • Import of the list_change_requests function for re-export in the tools package.
    from servicenow_mcp.tools.change_tools import (
        add_change_task,
        approve_change,
        create_change_request,
        get_change_request_details,
        list_change_requests,
        reject_change,
        submit_change_for_approval,
        update_change_request,
    )
  • Helper function used by the handler to unwrap, validate, and parse input parameters against the Pydantic schema.
    def _unwrap_and_validate_params(params: Any, model_class: Type[T], required_fields: List[str] = None) -> Dict[str, Any]:
        """
        Helper function to unwrap and validate parameters.
        
        Args:
            params: The parameters to unwrap and validate.
            model_class: The Pydantic model class to validate against.
            required_fields: List of required field names.
            
        Returns:
            A tuple of (success, result) where result is either the validated parameters or an error message.
        """
        # Handle case where params might be wrapped in another dictionary
        if isinstance(params, dict) and len(params) == 1 and "params" in params and isinstance(params["params"], dict):
            logger.warning("Detected params wrapped in a 'params' key. Unwrapping...")
            params = params["params"]
        
        # Handle case where params might be a Pydantic model object
        if not isinstance(params, dict):
            try:
                # Try to convert to dict if it's a Pydantic model
                logger.warning("Params is not a dictionary. Attempting to convert...")
                params = params.dict() if hasattr(params, "dict") else dict(params)
            except Exception as e:
                logger.error(f"Failed to convert params to dictionary: {e}")
                return {
                    "success": False,
                    "message": f"Invalid parameters format. Expected a dictionary, got {type(params).__name__}",
                }
        
        # Validate required parameters are present
        if required_fields:
            for field in required_fields:
                if field not in params:
                    return {
                        "success": False,
                        "message": f"Missing required parameter '{field}'",
                    }
        
        try:
            # Validate parameters against the model
            validated_params = model_class(**params)
            return {
                "success": True,
                "params": validated_params,
            }
        except Exception as e:
            logger.error(f"Error validating parameters: {e}")
            return {
                "success": False,
                "message": f"Error validating parameters: {str(e)}",
            }
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries full burden but only states the basic action. It doesn't disclose whether this is a read-only operation, what permissions might be required, whether results are paginated, what format they return, or any rate limits. For a list operation with 8 parameters, this leaves significant behavioral questions unanswered.

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 no wasted words. It's appropriately sized for what it does convey, though it's under-specified rather than concise.

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?

For a tool with 8 parameters, no annotations, and no output schema, the description is severely incomplete. It doesn't explain what 'list' means operationally, what data is returned, how to filter results, or how this tool fits within the broader ServiceNow context provided by sibling tools.

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?

The description provides zero information about parameters, while the schema has 8 parameters with 0% description coverage. The description doesn't mention any filtering capabilities, pagination options, or query parameters, failing to compensate for the complete lack of schema documentation.

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 'List change requests from ServiceNow' states the basic action (list) and resource (change requests) but is vague about scope and filtering capabilities. It doesn't distinguish from sibling tools like 'list_incidents' or 'list_changesets' beyond mentioning 'change requests' specifically.

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?

No guidance is provided about when to use this tool versus alternatives. The description doesn't mention when this tool is appropriate versus using 'get_change_request_details' for single records or how it differs from other list tools like 'list_incidents' or 'list_changesets'.

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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