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update_label

Modify existing Gmail labels by changing their name, visibility settings, or color scheme to better organize your email inbox.

Instructions

Update an existing label

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
idYesThe ID of the label to update
nameNoThe display name of the label
messageListVisibilityNoThe visibility of messages with this label in the message list
labelListVisibilityNoThe visibility of the label in the label list
colorNoThe color settings for the label

Implementation Reference

  • Handler function for the 'update_label' tool. It destructures the params to separate the label ID and update data, uses handleTool for authentication and Gmail client creation, calls the Gmail API to update the label, and formats the response.
    async (params) => {
      const { id, ...labelData } = params
      return handleTool(config, async (gmail: gmail_v1.Gmail) => {
        const { data } = await gmail.users.labels.update({ userId: 'me', id, requestBody: labelData })
        return formatResponse(data)
      })
    }
  • Zod schema defining the input parameters for the update_label tool: required 'id' for the label ID, optional fields for name, visibilities, and color object.
    {
      id: z.string().describe("The ID of the label to update"),
      name: z.string().optional().describe("The display name of the label"),
      messageListVisibility: z.enum(['show', 'hide']).optional().describe("The visibility of messages with this label in the message list"),
      labelListVisibility: z.enum(['labelShow', 'labelShowIfUnread', 'labelHide']).optional().describe("The visibility of the label in the label list"),
      color: z.object({
        textColor: z.string().describe("The text color of the label as hex string"),
        backgroundColor: z.string().describe("The background color of the label as hex string")
      }).optional().describe("The color settings for the label")
    },
  • src/index.ts:513-532 (registration)
    Registration of the 'update_label' tool on the MCP server, specifying name, description, input schema, and handler function.
    server.tool("update_label",
      "Update an existing label",
      {
        id: z.string().describe("The ID of the label to update"),
        name: z.string().optional().describe("The display name of the label"),
        messageListVisibility: z.enum(['show', 'hide']).optional().describe("The visibility of messages with this label in the message list"),
        labelListVisibility: z.enum(['labelShow', 'labelShowIfUnread', 'labelHide']).optional().describe("The visibility of the label in the label list"),
        color: z.object({
          textColor: z.string().describe("The text color of the label as hex string"),
          backgroundColor: z.string().describe("The background color of the label as hex string")
        }).optional().describe("The color settings for the label")
      },
      async (params) => {
        const { id, ...labelData } = params
        return handleTool(config, async (gmail: gmail_v1.Gmail) => {
          const { data } = await gmail.users.labels.update({ userId: 'me', id, requestBody: labelData })
          return formatResponse(data)
        })
      }
    )
  • Shared helper function handleTool used by update_label (and other tools) to handle OAuth2 authentication, Gmail client creation, API call execution, and error handling including auth-specific 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}` });
      }
    }
  • Helper function to format API responses into MCP content structure by stringifying the response as JSON text.
    const formatResponse = (response: any) => ({ content: [{ type: "text", text: JSON.stringify(response) }] })

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. First observed

TDQS

C2.4/5.0
Behavior1/5

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

No annotations provided, and the description only says 'Update an existing label' without any behavioral details such as whether it replaces all fields, requires the label to exist, or returns a response. This is highly insufficient for a mutation tool.

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?

While very short, the description is under-specified and fails to provide necessary context. Conciseness should not come at the cost of completeness.

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?

With 5 parameters, nested objects, no output schema, and no annotations, the description is grossly incomplete. It does not mention which fields can be updated (name, visibility, color) or any other critical context.

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?

The input schema covers all parameters with descriptions (100% coverage), so the baseline is 3. The description adds no additional meaning beyond what the schema already provides.

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 'Update' and the resource 'existing label', which is distinct from create, delete, or get operations. However, it does not explicitly differentiate from 'patch_label' which may be a partial update.

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 on when to use this tool versus alternatives like patch_label, or any prerequisites. The description is too minimal to direct correct invocation.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.