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get_draft

Retrieve a specific Gmail draft by its ID to access and review saved email content before sending.

Instructions

Get a specific draft by ID

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
idYesThe ID of the draft to retrieve
includeBodyHtmlNoWhether to include the parsed HTML in the return for each body, excluded by default because they can be excessively large

Implementation Reference

  • src/index.ts:311-331 (registration)
    Registration of the 'get_draft' tool using McpServer.tool(), including description, input schema, and inline handler function.
    server.tool("get_draft",
      "Get a specific draft by ID",
      {
        id: z.string().describe("The ID of the draft to retrieve"),
        includeBodyHtml: z.boolean().optional().describe("Whether to include the parsed HTML in the return for each body, excluded by default because they can be excessively large")
      },
      async (params) => {
        return handleTool(config, async (gmail: gmail_v1.Gmail) => {
          const { data } = await gmail.users.drafts.get({ userId: 'me', id: params.id, format: 'full' })
    
          if (data.message?.payload) {
            data.message.payload = processMessagePart(
              data.message.payload,
              params.includeBodyHtml
            )
          }
    
          return formatResponse(data)
        })
      }
    )
  • The core handler logic for 'get_draft': fetches the draft via Gmail API, optionally decodes and processes the message payload (filtering headers, decoding base64 bodies), and formats the JSON response.
    async (params) => {
      return handleTool(config, async (gmail: gmail_v1.Gmail) => {
        const { data } = await gmail.users.drafts.get({ userId: 'me', id: params.id, format: 'full' })
    
        if (data.message?.payload) {
          data.message.payload = processMessagePart(
            data.message.payload,
            params.includeBodyHtml
          )
        }
    
        return formatResponse(data)
      })
    }
  • Zod schema defining input parameters for the 'get_draft' tool: required 'id' (draft ID) and optional 'includeBodyHtml' flag.
    {
      id: z.string().describe("The ID of the draft to retrieve"),
      includeBodyHtml: z.boolean().optional().describe("Whether to include the parsed HTML in the return for each body, excluded by default because they can be excessively large")
    },
  • Shared helper function used by get_draft (and other tools) to handle OAuth2 authentication, client creation, API execution, and error handling (especially auth errors).
    const handleTool = async (queryConfig: Record<string, any> | undefined, apiCall: (gmail: gmail_v1.Gmail) => Promise<any>) => {
      try {
        const oauth2Client = queryConfig ? createOAuth2Client(queryConfig) : defaultOAuth2Client
        if (!oauth2Client) throw new Error('OAuth2 client could not be created, please check your credentials')
    
        const credentialsAreValid = await validateCredentials(oauth2Client)
        if (!credentialsAreValid) throw new Error('OAuth2 credentials are invalid, please re-authenticate')
    
        const gmailClient = queryConfig ? google.gmail({ version: 'v1', auth: oauth2Client }) : defaultGmailClient
        if (!gmailClient) throw new Error('Gmail client could not be created, please check your credentials')
    
        const result = await apiCall(gmailClient)
        return result
      } catch (error: any) {
        // Check for specific authentication errors
        if (
          error.message?.includes("invalid_grant") ||
          error.message?.includes("refresh_token") ||
          error.message?.includes("invalid_client") ||
          error.message?.includes("unauthorized_client") ||
          error.code === 401 ||
          error.code === 403
        ) {
          return formatResponse({
            error: `Authentication failed: ${error.message}. Please re-authenticate by running: npx @shinzolabs/gmail-mcp auth`,
          });
        }
    
        return formatResponse({ error: `Tool execution failed: ${error.message}` });
      }
    }
  • Recursive helper to process message parts in drafts/messages: decodes base64 bodies (unless HTML and not requested), recurses into parts, filters headers to common ones.
    const processMessagePart = (messagePart: MessagePart, includeBodyHtml = false): MessagePart => {
      if ((messagePart.mimeType !== 'text/html' || includeBodyHtml) && messagePart.body) {
        messagePart.body = decodedBody(messagePart.body)
      }
    
      if (messagePart.parts) {
        messagePart.parts = messagePart.parts.map(part => processMessagePart(part, includeBodyHtml))
      }
    
      if (messagePart.headers) {
        messagePart.headers = messagePart.headers.filter(header => RESPONSE_HEADERS_LIST.includes(header.name || ''))
      }
    
      return messagePart
    }
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 offers minimal behavioral insight. It doesn't mention whether this is a read-only operation, what permissions are required, how errors are handled, or the format of returned data. The description is too sparse for a tool that likely involves data retrieval.

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, direct sentence with zero wasted words. It's front-loaded with the core purpose and efficiently communicates the essential action without unnecessary elaboration.

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 retrieval tool with no annotations and no output schema, the description is insufficient. It doesn't explain what a 'draft' entails in this context, what data is returned, or potential limitations (e.g., size concerns hinted by the 'includeBodyHtml' parameter). More context is needed for effective use.

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

Parameters3/5

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

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema fully documents both parameters ('id' and 'includeBodyHtml'). The description adds no additional parameter context beyond implying an ID is needed, meeting the baseline for high schema coverage.

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

Purpose4/5

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

The description clearly states the action ('Get') and resource ('a specific draft by ID'), making the purpose immediately understandable. However, it doesn't differentiate from sibling tools like 'get_message' or 'get_thread' which follow the same pattern, preventing a perfect score.

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 on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'list_drafts' for browsing or 'get_message' for non-draft messages. The description lacks context about prerequisites or typical scenarios for retrieving drafts.

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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