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mtga-mcp

A local MCP server for querying your Magic: The Gathering Arena collection in natural language. It ingests MTGA's own card catalog, your owned cards from the game log, and Scryfall card data into a local SQLite database, then exposes query tools that any MCP client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code) can call.

Nothing leaves your machine except the one-time Scryfall bulk-data download. There is no model bundled here — your MCP client supplies the LLM.

How it works

Source

What it provides

Location (macOS)

MTGA card catalog

Every card: name, set, collector #, rarity, colors

~/Library/Application Support/com.wizards.mtga/Downloads/Raw/Raw_CardDatabase_*.mtga

Player.log

Cards you own + wildcard/currency balances

~/Library/Logs/Wizards Of The Coast/MTGA/Player.log

Scryfall bulk

Oracle text, mana cost, prices, legalities, images

downloaded from scryfall.com

The join key is MTGA's GrpId, which equals Scryfall's arena_id. Everything lands in ~/.local/share/mtga-mcp/mtga.db (override with MTGA_MCP_DATA_DIR).

Platforms. Defaults target a native macOS MTGA install. On Linux/NixOS running MTGA via Heroic (Wine/Proton) the files live inside the game's Wine prefix — point the tool at them with environment variables (no code changes):

Env var

What

MTGA_MCP_PLAYER_LOG

full path to Player.log (prev log is inferred as a sibling)

MTGA_MCP_RAW_DIR

dir holding Raw_CardDatabase_*.mtga

MTGA_MCP_UTC_LOG_DIR

dir of rotating UTC_Log*.log files

MTGA_MCP_DATA_DIR

where our own DB/caches live (default ~/.local/share/mtga-mcp)

Under Heroic these are typically at <prefix>/drive_c/users/<user>/AppData/LocalLow/Wizards Of The Coast/MTGA/… (Player.log, and Downloads/Raw for the card DB).

Related MCP server: iwantmymtg-mcp

Setup

uv sync

Step 0 — enable MTGA Detailed Logs (required for owned counts)

MTGA only writes your collection to Player.log when detailed logging is on:

  1. In MTGA: Settings → Account → check "Detailed Logs (Plugin Support)".

  2. Restart MTGA and open your Collection screen once.

The card catalog and Scryfall data work without this; only owned quantities need it.

Import data

uv run mtga-mcp import            # runs all three steps
# or selectively:
uv run mtga-mcp import --catalog      # ~19.7k cards from MTGA
uv run mtga-mcp import --collection   # your owned cards + wildcards
uv run mtga-mcp import --scryfall     # enrich (downloads a ~77MB bulk file, cached)

Re-run import --collection whenever your collection changes; re-run --scryfall occasionally for new sets/prices (it only re-downloads when Scryfall has newer data).

Modern MTGA clients no longer log the full owned-card list — import --collection only recovers wildcards plus new card grants captured going forward, never cards you already owned. To get the complete collection, export-collection reads it straight out of the running client's memory. (The scanner is adapted from the MIT-licensed MTGA-collection-exporter; see LICENSES/mtga-collection-exporter-MIT.txt.)

With MTGA running and the Collection screen opened once, and the card catalog already imported (uv run mtga-mcp import --catalog):

uv run mtga-mcp export-collection   # interactive: sudo password + confirm anchor cards

The command self-elevates: on macOS, if it isn't already root it re-execs itself under sudo up front (before anchors are chosen), passing your data-dir/DB path through so writes land in your home, not root's, and hands the DB back to you afterward. scripts/export-collection.sh remains as an equivalent wrapper (it also runs uv sync first).

It's interactive by design:

  • sudo — the macOS scan uses task_for_pid, which needs root, so you'll be prompted for your password. The target MTGA process must not use the hardened runtime (the Heroic/native build is fine).

  • anchor cards — the scanner locates your collection in memory by searching for the exact (card, quantity) of a few cards you own. It proposes ~5 rares/mythics pulled from your last-imported collection and lets you confirm or adjust them (e2 to edit a quantity, a to add, d2 to drop, Enter to accept). The quantities must match what you own right now, so edit any that changed since your last export. On a first-ever run (empty collection) you add a few cards manually. Run it in a real terminal; don't pipe its stdin.

This replaces the collection table with an authoritative, point-in-time snapshot (exact per-printing counts). Re-run it whenever you want to refresh.

A legacy mtga_collection.json produced by the upstream exporter can still be loaded with mtga-mcp import-collection <file>.

Maintaining the scanner. src/mtga_mcp/memory_export.py is derived from MTGA-collection-exporter. A pristine copy of the upstream source we ported from lives at third_party/mtga-collection-exporter/mtg.py (reference only — not imported). To pull upstream fixes, run scripts/update-exporter-reference.sh to diff newer upstream against that baseline, port the relevant hunks into memory_export.py, then re-run with --accept to advance the pinned commit. See third_party/mtga-collection-exporter/UPSTREAM.md.

Use it from an MCP client

Claude Code

claude mcp add mtga -- uv --directory /Users/scott/git/mtga-mcp run mtga-mcp serve

Claude Desktop

Add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mtga": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": ["--directory", "/Users/scott/git/mtga-mcp", "run", "mtga-mcp", "serve"]
    }
  }
}

Then ask things like:

  • "How complete is my collection? Show the per-rarity breakdown and my wildcards."

  • "Which rares am I missing from FDN?"

  • "List blue instants I own that are Standard-legal."

Tools exposed

Tool

Purpose

search_cards

Filter by name / colors / rarity / set / type; optional owned_only

owned_cards

Cards you own (count ≥ 1), same filters

missing_from_set

Cards in a set you haven't got a playset (4) of, with a needed count

collection_summary

Distinct owned, total copies, per-rarity breakdown, wildcards

query_sql

Ad-hoc read-only SELECT over the database

import_deck

Import a decklist from pasted text or an Archidekt/Moxfield URL

list_decks

List stored decks

deck_gap

Cards + wildcards needed to complete a deck

craft_priority

Which cards to craft to unlock the most decks

best_buildable_deck

Best Bo1/Bo3 deck you could build, meta strength × buildability

delete_deck

Remove a stored deck

wildcard_history

Recent history of wildcard/currency balances (from scheduled capture)

Database tables: cards, collection(grp_id, count), wildcards(kind, count), meta, decks, deck_cards, inventory_raw, inventory_history.

Deck buildability

Import meta decks (or your own brews), then ask what you're missing and what to build.

# Import from pasted Arena/MTGO text (tag it with meta info for ranking):
pbpaste | uv run mtga-mcp deck import --paste --name "Mono-Red" --format Standard \
  --best-of 1 --meta-share 0.18
uv run mtga-mcp deck import --file list.txt --name "Dimir Midrange" --best-of 3 --tier 1

# Import from a deck host with a public API:
uv run mtga-mcp deck import --url https://archidekt.com/decks/1234567
uv run mtga-mcp deck import --url https://www.moxfield.com/decks/AbCdEf

uv run mtga-mcp deck gap "Mono-Red"          # cards + wildcards you still need
uv run mtga-mcp deck best --best-of 1         # best deck you can build right now
uv run mtga-mcp deck craft-priority           # what to craft to unlock the most decks

The north-star query — "given my cards and the current meta, what's the best Bo1/Bo3 deck I could build?" — is deck best, which ranks decks by meta strength × how few wildcards you're missing. Strength comes from the --tier / --meta-share / --win-rate you supply at import (meta sites don't expose this programmatically); with none supplied it ranks purely by buildability.

Decks containing cards not legal in their format (rotated or banned, per the Scryfall legalities) are excluded by default — a "best deck" you can't actually play isn't an answer. Pass --include-illegal to keep them, flagged with format_legal and the offending illegal_cards. Formats without legality data (Alchemy/Timeless) are never excluded on those grounds.

A note on meta-deck sources

The big meta sites (MTGGoldfish, Untapped, AetherHub, mtgdecks) actively block automated access — Cloudflare, robots ai-train=no, blocked bot user-agents, and blocked export endpoints. So this tool imports decklists from pasted text and deck-host public APIs (Archidekt, Moxfield) instead. A best-effort MTGGoldfish scraper exists behind an explicit --allow-scrape flag but is brittle and may fail; pasting the Arena export (one click in your browser) is the reliable path.

Scheduled capture (wildcards + future card deltas)

Modern MTGA clients don't log your full owned-card collection — only InventoryInfo (wildcards/currency, plus a Changes delta array that's populated on real acquisition events: pack opens, precon grants, bundle/voucher redemptions). Player.log also rotates, so those payloads are ephemeral. mtga-mcp capture archives every distinct InventoryInfo payload into inventory_raw (deduped by content hash — SeqId resets every MTGA session, so it's not a safe dedup key on its own), records a wildcard/currency snapshot in inventory_history, and applies any Changes[].GrantedCards entries to the collection table. Running it on a schedule accumulates a timeline and owned-card deltas as packs are opened / new sets release.

Caveat: collection counts built this way only reflect deltas captured since capture started running — there's no full historical collection to reconcile against, since modern clients don't log one. A card you owned before capture ran (and haven't been granted again since) won't show up.

uv run mtga-mcp capture       # skips instantly if the logs haven't changed since last run
uv run mtga-mcp history       # recent wildcard/currency snapshots

capture stat-checks the logs and skips all parsing when they're unchanged (i.e. when you're not playing), so a frequent schedule costs almost nothing at idle.

Run it automatically

macOS (launchd): edit packaging/com.mtga-mcp.capture.plist (replace __REPO__ and __LOG__), copy to ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.mtga-mcp.capture.plist, then:

launchctl bootstrap gui/$(id -u) ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.mtga-mcp.capture.plist
# unload with: launchctl bootout gui/$(id -u)/com.mtga-mcp.capture

Linux/NixOS (systemd user timer): run .venv/bin/mtga-mcp capture from a *.service on a 15-minute *.timer, with the MTGA_MCP_* path vars (above) set in the unit's Environment=. If a path contains spaces (common under Wine prefixes, e.g. .../Magic The Gathering Arena/...), quote the whole VAR=value assignment — Environment="VAR=/path with spaces" — not just the value, or systemd word-splits it into several broken assignments. See docs/latitude-setup.md for a full worked example, including doing this declaratively via home-manager's systemd.user.services/timers.

Sharing findings across machines (Syncthing)

To use one database across several machines (e.g. macOS + a Linux/NixOS laptop), keep the DB in a synced folder and leave the big regenerable Scryfall cache local:

export MTGA_MCP_DB_PATH=~/Documents/mtga-mcp/mtga.db   # inside your Syncthing folder
# DATA_DIR (Scryfall cache, ~74 MB) stays local and is NOT synced.

Set MTGA_MCP_DB_PATH everywhere the tool runs: your shell profile, the capture LaunchAgent (EnvironmentVariables), and the MCP client config (env block of the server entry). Then append packaging/syncthing.stignore to the .stignore at the root of the synced folder so SQLite's transient -journal/-wal/-shm sidecars aren't synced.

This is safe because MTGA runs on only one device at a time, so the two machines never write the DB concurrently; the ~11 MB mtga.db (decks, wildcards, inventory history) syncs as a single clean file.

Development

uv run pytest

Not yet implemented (ideas)

Auto-refreshing meta snapshots, live log-watching, deck similarity/clustering, non-English card names.

Available Tools

11 tools
best_buildable_deckA

The best deck you could build given your cards and the meta. Ranks stored decks by meta strength x buildability. Filter by best_of (1 or 3) and format; max_wildcards hides decks needing more than that many wildcards.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
formatNo
best_ofNo
max_wildcardsNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.6/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of explaining behavior. It discloses the ranking mechanism and the max_wildcards filter's effect. While it doesn't mention side effects (likely none) or prerequisites like requiring a collection, the core behavior is transparent and not misleading.

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 three sentences, front-loaded with the main purpose, and every sentence contributes essential information. No redundant filler.

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

Completeness5/5

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

Given the tool's moderate complexity (3 optional params, output schema present), the description fully covers purpose, usage, and parameters. The output schema handles return values, so nothing critical is missing.

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

Parameters5/5

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

Despite 0% schema coverage, the description explicitly explains all three parameters: best_of ('1 or 3'), format, and max_wildcards ('hides decks needing more than that many wildcards'). This fully compensates for the missing schema descriptions.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly states the tool's function: ranking stored decks by 'meta strength x buildability' given the user's cards and meta. This distinguishes it from sibling tools that search cards or manage decks.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides clear context for use ('given your cards and the meta') and explains filter options, but it does not explicitly compare with alternatives like deck_gap or craft_priority. Usage is clear, but exclusions or when-not-to-use are absent.

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

collection_summaryA

Collection overview: distinct owned, total copies, per-rarity breakdown, and wildcard/currency balances.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

There are no annotations, so the description must convey behavioral traits. It implies a read-only overview with the listed data points, but does not explicitly state that it makes no modifications, nor does it mention authentication or rate limits. This leaves room for ambiguity, though the nature of a summary implies a safe query.

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, front-loaded sentence that succinctly lists the key content categories. Every word earns its place with no filler or redundancy.

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

Completeness4/5

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

For a parameterless tool with an output schema, the description is largely complete, covering the main summary dimensions. It could be improved by explicitly noting that no parameters are required and confirming the read-only nature, but these are minor omissions given the simplicity.

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

Parameters4/5

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

The tool has zero parameters, so the empty schema covers all inputs at 100% coverage. The description adds no parameter details, but they are not needed; a baseline of 4 is appropriate.

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 identifies the resource (collection) and specifies the scope of the overview (distinct owned, total copies, per-rarity, wildcard/currency balances). It lacks an explicit verb and does not explicitly contrast with sibling tools like owned_cards, but the content clearly conveys a summary operation.

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 collection_summary versus sibling tools such as owned_cards or missing_from_set. The description only states what the tool returns, not the appropriate context for invoking it.

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

craft_priorityA

Across all stored decks (optionally one format), rank cards to craft by how many decks they would unlock, then by how many decks need them.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
formatNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.5/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the burden. It discloses the two-step ranking logic and the optional format filter. It does not detail return structure, but an output schema exists, and the behavior described is consistent and non-mutating.

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 sentence that is direct, front-loaded, and free of filler. It earns its place by explaining the core behavior and ranking criteria.

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

Completeness5/5

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

For a tool with one optional parameter and an output schema, the description fully explains what the tool does and how it prioritizes, making it complete for an agent to select and invoke correctly.

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

Parameters4/5

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

The schema has only 'format' with no description, and coverage is 0%. The description clarifies that format is optional and restricts to one format, adding meaningful context beyond the bare schema.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description uses a specific verb ('rank') and resource ('cards to craft') across stored decks, and clearly states the ranking criteria (unlock count, then need count). This distinguishes it from siblings like deck_gap or best_buildable_deck.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It gives clear context: operates across all stored decks, optionally filtered by format. It does not explicitly name alternatives or exclusion cases, but the context is sufficient for most use cases.

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

deck_gapA

Cards and wildcards needed to complete a deck (by id or name), given your collection. Basics are excluded; copies are capped at a playset (4).

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
deckYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It explicitly states that basics are excluded and copies are capped at a playset of 4, which are important constraints not visible in the schema. It also clarifies the deck identifier can be by id or name. It doesn't mention error handling or read-only guarantees, but the core behavior is well covered.

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 sentence that front-loads the primary purpose and follows with two important constraints. There is no wasted wording, and all information contributes to understanding the tool's behavior.

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

Completeness4/5

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

Given the simple single-parameter schema and the existence of an output schema, the description covers the essential behavior and edge-case constraints (basics excluded, cap at 4). It does not address potential confusion with similar sibling tools like 'missing_from_set', but for its simplicity it is sufficiently complete.

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

Parameters4/5

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

The schema only has a 'deck' string with no description, so the description compensates by stating that the deck can be specified by id or name. This adds meaningful semantics to the otherwise opaque parameter. It doesn't provide formatting examples, but enough is given to understand the parameter's purpose.

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 what the tool returns: cards and wildcards needed to complete a deck. It distinguishes from siblings like 'missing_from_set' by focusing on decks rather than entire sets. However, it lacks an explicit action verb (e.g., 'calculates' or 'lists'), so it is not a perfect 5.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The implied usage is to determine the missing cards for a given deck using the user's collection. It does not explicitly mention alternatives or when not to use it, but the purpose makes the primary use case clear. No exclusions or sibling comparisons are provided.

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

delete_deckA

Delete a stored deck by id or name.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
deckYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A3.5/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries the full burden for behavioral disclosure. It does not mention that deletion is permanent/irreversible, any required permissions, or side effects on associated data, which is critical for a destructive tool.

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, front-loaded sentence with no redundant wording. Every word contributes to the meaning, making it highly efficient.

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

Completeness3/5

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

While the description covers the core purpose and parameter semantics, it omits important context for a delete tool, such as irreversibility or behavior when the deck is not found. The presence of an output schema helps, but the destructive nature requires additional disclosure.

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

Parameters4/5

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

The schema provides only the parameter name 'Deck' with type string and no description. The description adds meaning by clarifying that the deck can be identified by id or name, which is essential for using the parameter correctly.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly states the action (delete) and the resource (stored deck), with the scoping detail 'by id or name.' This distinguishes it from sibling tools like list_decks and import_deck.

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 given on when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor any prerequisites or exclusions. The description merely states what the tool does without contextual usage direction.

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

import_deckA

Import a decklist and store it for buildability analysis. Provide exactly one of text (pasted Arena/MTGO list) or url (Archidekt or Moxfield). Optional meta metadata: best_of (1 or 3), tier, meta_share (0..1) feed the best_buildable_deck ranking. Set allow_scrape=true to attempt an MTGGoldfish URL (unreliable). Returns the deck id and any card names that couldn't be matched.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
urlNo
nameNo
textNo
tierNo
formatNo
best_ofNo
meta_shareNo
allow_scrapeNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription

No output parameters

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

With no annotations, the description discloses that the deck is stored, the return value (deck id and unmatched card names), and that scraping is unreliable. It doesn't mention side effects like duplicate handling or failure behavior, but it's reasonably transparent for an import operation.

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 four sentences, front-loaded with the main purpose, followed by param details and return value. Every sentence adds value with no redundancy or filler.

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

Completeness4/5

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

For an import tool with 8 parameters and no annotations, the description covers the essential aspects: what, how, special cases, and expected output. It omits details on `name` and `format`, and doesn't discuss error scenarios, but it's adequate for a well-scoped tool.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Schema coverage is 0%, so the description carries the burden. It explains most parameters: `text` (Arena/MTGO list), `url` (Archidekt/Moxfield), `best_of` (1 or 3), `meta_share` (0..1), `tier`, and `allow_scrape`. However, `name` and `format` are not described, leaving a small gap.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly states the tool imports a decklist and stores it for buildability analysis, distinguishing it from siblings like list_decks and search_cards. The verb 'import' and resource 'decklist' are specific and the purpose is explicit.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It provides clear usage context by specifying that exactly one of `text` or `url` must be provided, and explains when `allow_scrape` is appropriate (MTGGoldfish, though unreliable). However, it doesn't explicitly name alternative tools or say when not to use this tool.

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

list_decksA

List stored decks with format, best_of, tier and source.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No parameters

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

With no annotations, the description must carry the behavioral disclosure burden. 'List' clearly implies a read-only operation, and the specified fields indicate what is returned. However, it does not disclose details such as ordering, potential pagination, or whether all stored decks are always included, leaving some behavioral aspects implicit.

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 sentence that states the action, the target, and the key attributes. Every word contributes meaning; there is no redundant or filler content.

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

Completeness4/5

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

Given the tool's simplicity (zero parameters) and the presence of an output schema, the description adequately covers the essential context. It could mention that it lists all decks without filters, but for a straightforward list operation the current description is sufficiently complete.

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

Parameters4/5

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

The tool has zero parameters, and the schema coverage is 100% (empty properties). The description adds no parameter semantics, but none are needed. The baseline for 0 parameters is 4, and the description does not obstruct or complicate parameter understanding.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description uses a specific verb ('List') with a clear resource ('stored decks') and enumerates the included attributes ('format, best_of, tier and source'). This clearly distinguishes it from sibling tools like 'search_cards' or 'owned_cards', which target different resources.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies usage when you need to see stored decks, but it does not explicitly state when to prefer this tool over alternatives like 'collection_summary' or 'query_sql'. There is no mention of exclusions or context, but the simple listing purpose is reasonably inferred.

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

missing_from_setA

Cards in a set the player hasn't completed a playset (4) of. Returns a 'needed' count per card. Optional rarity filter.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
rarityNo
set_codeYes

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries the burden of explaining behavior. It discloses the core computation ('hasn't completed a playset (4)') and output shape ('needed count per card'), but it does not mention ordering, inclusion of zero-count cards, or behavior when the set is fully completed. These gaps leave some behavioral context unspecified.

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?

Two concise sentences convey purpose, output, and filtering capability. The description is front-loaded and every word adds value—no filler or redundancy.

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

Completeness4/5

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

For a simple filtered-query tool with an output schema (which covers return details), the description is mostly sufficient: it communicates the main operation, the output count, and the optional filter. It lacks explicit usage guidance and parameter format details, but given the low complexity, the coverage is good.

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 0%, so the description must compensate. It adds meaning to 'rarity' by calling it an 'Optional rarity filter', but it does not explain the format or allowed values for rarity, nor does it explicitly connect 'set_code' to the set identifier beyond the schema's property name. Partial compensation only.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly identifies what the tool does: 'Cards in a set the player hasn't completed a playset (4) of' names the resource (set) and the specific filtering logic. It also states the output ('Returns a 'needed' count per card'), which distinguishes it from siblings like deck_gap (deck-focused) and search_cards (general card search).

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies usage context—finding cards needed to complete playsets in a given set—but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives, nor does it provide exclusions or alternate tool recommendations. It is functional but lacks direct guidance.

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

owned_cardsA

List cards the player owns (owned count >= 1), with the same optional filters as search_cards.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameNo
limitNo
colorsNo
rarityNo
set_codeNo
type_containsNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses the 'owned count >= 1' filtering behavior, which is useful. However, it does not mention other traits like pagination, default limit behavior, or read-only nature beyond the implied 'List' action. It adds some context but not rich behavioral detail.

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, well-structured sentence that conveys the core purpose and a key filter reference. Every word is useful, with no redundancy or filler.

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

Completeness4/5

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

Given the simple list operation and the presence of an output schema, the description covers the essential context: what is listed and the filter inheritance. It could be more complete by mentioning limit behavior or output formatting, but the schema and tool name fill in many gaps. Overall, it is sufficient for this complexity.

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. It only says 'same optional filters as search_cards' without explaining any parameter or its semantics. The parameter names are self-explanatory, but the description adds minimal value for understanding their usage or constraints.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly states the tool lists cards the player owns, with a specific condition (owned count >= 1) and references the same filters as search_cards. This distinguishes it from search_cards (which likely searches all cards) and conveys a concrete action on a specific resource.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description implies when to use this tool (when you need owned cards) and references search_cards for filter behavior, providing context. However, it does not explicitly state when not to use it or name direct alternatives, so it falls short of a 5.

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

query_sqlA

Run an ad-hoc read-only SELECT against the collection database. Tables: cards, collection(grp_id,count), wildcards(kind,count). Join collection on cards.grp_id for owned counts.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
sqlYes
limitNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A4.2/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It clearly states 'read-only SELECT' (safe, non-mutating) and lists the tables and join key, which tells the agent what data can be accessed. It does not mention auth, rate limits, or query limitations, but the read-only disclosure plus table schemas is substantial.

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 two sentences, front-loaded with the core action ('Run an ad-hoc read-only SELECT') followed by the supported tables and join hint. No filler or repetition; every clause adds value.

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

Completeness4/5

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

The tool is simple (2 params, output schema exists) and the description covers the purpose, safety, and data model. It could be improved by explaining the limit parameter and when to prefer this over siblings, but given the output schema and simple interface, it is sufficiently complete.

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 0%, so the description compensates by documenting the target tables and columns (cards, collection(grp_id,count), wildcards(kind,count)) and showing the join relationship. It does not explicitly explain the 'limit' parameter or provide SQL syntax examples, but the table inventory gives meaningful context for constructing the 'sql' string.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description uses a specific verb ('Run an ad-hoc read-only SELECT') and identifies the exact resource ('collection database') and tables (cards, collection, wildcards). This clearly distinguishes it from sibling tools like search_cards or collection_summary, which are purpose-built, whereas this is a generic SQL query tool.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It provides clear context that this tool is for ad-hoc read-only SQL queries, which implies it should be used when the dedicated sibling tools do not cover a custom query. However, it does not explicitly state when not to use it or name alternatives, so it stops short of full exclusionary guidance.

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

search_cardsA

Search cards by name/colors/rarity/set/type. colors is WUBRG letters; set_code is the 3-letter set. Set owned_only=true to restrict to cards the player owns.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
nameNo
limitNo
colorsNo
rarityNo
set_codeNo
owned_onlyNo
type_containsNo

Output Schema

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescription
resultYes

TDQS

A3.8/5.0
Behavior3/5

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. It does disclose the default scope (all cards) and the effect of owned_only, as well as the WUBRG encoding. However, it omits details like result format, pagination, or authentication requirements, leaving significant behavioral gaps for a tool with no annotations.

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 concise, with two efficient sentences. The first sentence front-loads the core purpose, and the second adds essential format hints without unnecessary information. Every sentence earns its place.

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

Completeness4/5

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

Given the tool's complexity (7 parameters) and the presence of an output schema, the description is mostly complete. It covers the main search dimensions and provides key format hints. Minor gaps like the explicit meaning of 'type_contains' and the limit parameter are partially addressed by the schema's titles and defaults, making the description adequate overall.

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 0%, so the description must compensate. It adds crucial semantics for colors (WUBRG letters), set_code (3-letter set), and owned_only. However, it fails to explain limit and does not explicitly clarify the type_contains parameter, leaving some parameters underspecified.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly identifies the tool as a card search with specific criteria (name, colors, rarity, set, type). It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like owned_cards by the inclusion of an owned_only filter, implying a broader default search scope.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Usage is implied through the description of search filters and the owned_only option, but there is no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as owned_cards or query_sql. The absence of alternative comparisons leaves the usage context somewhat implicit.

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

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. 11 tool updatesv0.1.0
    • First observedbest_buildable_deck
    • First observedcollection_summary
    • First observedcraft_priority
    • First observeddeck_gap
    • First observeddelete_deck
    • First observedimport_deck
    • First observedlist_decks
    • First observedmissing_from_set
    • First observedowned_cards
    • First observedquery_sql
    • First observedsearch_cards

TDQS

A3.8/5.0

Scored across 11 tools

Disambiguation4/5

Most tools have distinct purposes, but search_cards with owned_only=true overlaps with owned_cards. Otherwise each tool targets a clear, separate function (searching, collection summary, deck import, gap analysis, etc.).

Naming Consistency3/5

Names are readable and exclusively snake_case, but conventions vary: some are verb_noun (search_cards, import_deck, list_decks, delete_deck) while others are noun or adjective phrases (owned_cards, collection_summary, deck_gap, best_buildable_deck). No consistent pattern.

Tool Count5/5

11 tools is well-scoped for the MTGA collection and deck analysis domain. Each tool fills a distinct role without unnecessary bloat, and the count feels appropriate for the server's purpose.

Completeness3/5

The set covers card search, collection overview, deck import/list/delete, and deck-building assistance, but lacks a tool to view a stored deck's full card list. This is a notable gap for analysis and verification workflows, though query_sql can partially address collection data if needed.

Maintenance

ActivityMaintained
ResponsivenessNo issues

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