Basecamp MCP Server

create_card

Generate a new card in a specific project column within Basecamp, including title, optional content, due date, and notifications. Manage task organization effectively.

Instructions

Create a new card in a column

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`column_id`	Yes	The column ID
`content`	No	Optional card content/description
`due_on`	No	Optional due date (ISO 8601 format)
`notify`	No	Whether to notify assignees (default: false)
`project_id`	Yes	The project ID
`title`	Yes	The card title

Implementation Reference

src/index.ts:649-668 (handler)

MCP CallTool handler case for 'create_card' that extracts arguments and delegates to BasecampClient.createCard, then formats success response

case 'create_card': {
  const card = await client.createCard(
    typedArgs.project_id,
    typedArgs.column_id,
    typedArgs.title,
    typedArgs.content,
    typedArgs.due_on,
    typedArgs.notify || false
  );
  return {
    content: [{
      type: 'text',
      text: JSON.stringify({
        status: 'success',
        card,
        message: `Card '${typedArgs.title}' created successfully`
      }, null, 2)
    }]
  };
}

src/lib/basecamp-client.ts:210-225 (handler)

Core implementation of createCard method that makes the Basecamp API POST request to create a new card in the specified column

async createCard(
  projectId: string,
  columnId: string,
  title: string,
  content?: string,
  dueOn?: string,
  notify = false
): Promise<Card> {
  const data: any = { title };
  if (content) data.content = content;
  if (dueOn) data.due_on = dueOn;
  if (notify) data.notify = notify;

  const response = await this.client.post(`/buckets/${projectId}/card_tables/lists/${columnId}/cards.json`, data);
  return response.data;
}

src/index.ts:213-227 (schema)

Input schema definition for the 'create_card' tool, specifying parameters, types, descriptions, and required fields

  name: 'create_card',
  description: 'Create a new card in a column',
  inputSchema: {
    type: 'object',
    properties: {
      project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
      column_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The column ID' },
      title: { type: 'string', description: 'The card title' },
      content: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional card content/description' },
      due_on: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional due date (ISO 8601 format)' },
      notify: { type: 'boolean', description: 'Whether to notify assignees (default: false)' },
    },
    required: ['project_id', 'column_id', 'title'],
  },
},

src/index.ts:104-539 (registration)

Registration of all MCP tools including 'create_card' schema in the ListToolsRequestHandler

this.server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => {
  return {
    tools: [
      // Core tools
      {
        name: 'get_projects',
        description: 'Get all Basecamp projects',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {},
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'get_project',
        description: 'Get details for a specific project',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'search_basecamp',
        description: 'Search across Basecamp projects, todos, and messages',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            query: { type: 'string', description: 'Search query' },
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional project ID to limit search scope' },
          },
          required: ['query'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'global_search',
        description: 'Search projects, todos and campfire messages across all projects',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            query: { type: 'string', description: 'Search query' },
          },
          required: ['query'],
        },
      },

      // Todo tools
      {
        name: 'get_todolists',
        description: 'Get todo lists for a project',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'get_todos',
        description: 'Get todos from a todo list',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            todolist_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The todo list ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'todolist_id'],
        },
      },

      // Card Table tools
      {
        name: 'get_card_table',
        description: 'Get the card table details for a project',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'get_columns',
        description: 'Get all columns in a card table',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_table_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card table ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_table_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'get_cards',
        description: 'Get all cards in a column',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            column_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The column ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'column_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'create_card',
        description: 'Create a new card in a column',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            column_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The column ID' },
            title: { type: 'string', description: 'The card title' },
            content: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional card content/description' },
            due_on: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional due date (ISO 8601 format)' },
            notify: { type: 'boolean', description: 'Whether to notify assignees (default: false)' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'column_id', 'title'],
        },
      },

      // Column Management tools
      {
        name: 'create_column',
        description: 'Create a new column in a card table',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_table_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card table ID' },
            title: { type: 'string', description: 'The column title' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_table_id', 'title'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'update_column',
        description: 'Update a column title',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            column_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The column ID' },
            title: { type: 'string', description: 'The new column title' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'column_id', 'title'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'move_column',
        description: 'Move a column to a new position',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_table_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card table ID' },
            column_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The column ID' },
            position: { type: 'number', description: 'The new 1-based position' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_table_id', 'column_id', 'position'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'update_column_color',
        description: 'Update a column color',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            column_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The column ID' },
            color: { type: 'string', description: 'The hex color code (e.g., #FF0000)' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'column_id', 'color'],
        },
      },

      // Card Management tools
      {
        name: 'get_card',
        description: 'Get details for a specific card',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'update_card',
        description: 'Update a card',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card ID' },
            title: { type: 'string', description: 'The new card title' },
            content: { type: 'string', description: 'The new card content/description' },
            due_on: { type: 'string', description: 'Due date (ISO 8601 format)' },
            assignee_ids: { type: 'array', items: { type: 'string' }, description: 'Array of person IDs to assign to the card' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'move_card',
        description: 'Move a card to a new column',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card ID' },
            column_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The destination column ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_id', 'column_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'complete_card',
        description: 'Mark a card as complete',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_id'],
        },
      },

      // Card Steps tools
      {
        name: 'get_card_steps',
        description: 'Get all steps (sub-tasks) for a card',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'create_card_step',
        description: 'Create a new step (sub-task) for a card',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            card_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The card ID' },
            title: { type: 'string', description: 'The step title' },
            due_on: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional due date (ISO 8601 format)' },
            assignee_ids: { type: 'array', items: { type: 'string' }, description: 'Array of person IDs to assign to the step' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'card_id', 'title'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'complete_card_step',
        description: 'Mark a card step as complete',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            step_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The step ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'step_id'],
        },
      },

      // Communication tools
      {
        name: 'get_campfire_lines',
        description: 'Get recent messages from a Basecamp campfire (chat room)',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            campfire_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The campfire/chat room ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'campfire_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'get_comments',
        description: 'Get comments for a Basecamp item',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            recording_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The item ID' },
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
          },
          required: ['recording_id', 'project_id'],
        },
      },

      // Document tools
      {
        name: 'get_documents',
        description: 'List documents in a vault',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            vault_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Vault ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'vault_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'create_document',
        description: 'Create a document in a vault',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            vault_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Vault ID' },
            title: { type: 'string', description: 'Document title' },
            content: { type: 'string', description: 'Document HTML content' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'vault_id', 'title', 'content'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'update_document',
        description: 'Update a document',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            document_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Document ID' },
            title: { type: 'string', description: 'New title' },
            content: { type: 'string', description: 'New HTML content' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'document_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'trash_document',
        description: 'Move a document to trash',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            document_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Document ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'document_id'],
        },
      },

      // File tools
      {
        name: 'get_uploads',
        description: 'List uploads in a project or vault',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            vault_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Optional vault ID to limit to specific vault' },
          },
          required: ['project_id'],
        },
      },

      // Webhook tools
      {
        name: 'get_webhooks',
        description: 'List webhooks for a project',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'create_webhook',
        description: 'Create a webhook',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            payload_url: { type: 'string', description: 'Payload URL' },
            types: { type: 'array', items: { type: 'string' }, description: 'Event types' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'payload_url'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'delete_webhook',
        description: 'Delete a webhook',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Project ID' },
            webhook_id: { type: 'string', description: 'Webhook ID' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'webhook_id'],
        },
      },

      // Check-in tools
      {
        name: 'get_daily_check_ins',
        description: "Get project's daily checking questionnaire",
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            page: { type: 'number', description: 'Page number for paginated response' },
          },
          required: ['project_id'],
        },
      },
      {
        name: 'get_question_answers',
        description: 'Get answers on daily check-in question',
        inputSchema: {
          type: 'object',
          properties: {
            project_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The project ID' },
            question_id: { type: 'string', description: 'The question ID' },
            page: { type: 'number', description: 'Page number for paginated response' },
          },
          required: ['project_id', 'question_id'],
        },
      },
    ],
  };

Tool Definition Quality

C2.9/5.0

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 states the tool creates a card but doesn't disclose what happens after creation (e.g., whether the card appears in a specific order, if notifications are sent, or if there are rate limits). For a mutation tool with zero annotation coverage, this leaves significant gaps in understanding its effects.

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 that front-loads the core action without unnecessary words. Every part earns its place by directly stating the tool's function, making it easy to parse quickly.

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 complexity of a creation tool with 6 parameters, no annotations, and no output schema, the description is insufficient. It doesn't explain the result (e.g., what's returned upon success), error conditions, or dependencies like required project/column existence. For a tool that modifies state, more context is needed to use it effectively.

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 all 6 parameters. The description adds no additional meaning beyond implying a card is created in a column, which is already clear from the tool name. This meets the baseline of 3 since the schema does the heavy lifting, but the description doesn't enhance parameter understanding.

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 ('Create') and resource ('new card in a column'), making the purpose immediately understandable. It distinguishes from siblings like 'update_card' or 'move_card' by specifying creation, though it doesn't explicitly differentiate from 'create_card_step' which creates a step within a card rather than the card itself.

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. It doesn't mention prerequisites (e.g., needing an existing project and column), contrast with 'update_card' for modifications, or explain when 'create_card_step' might be more appropriate for adding steps to an existing card.

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

Install Server

Related Tools

create_columnC
@jhliberty/basecamp-mcp-server
create_project_card
@MissionSquad/mcp-github
update_cardC
@jhliberty/basecamp-mcp-server
move_cardC
@jhliberty/basecamp-mcp-server
create_card_stepC
@jhliberty/basecamp-mcp-server
get_cardsC
@jhliberty/basecamp-mcp-server

Latest Blog Posts

Tool Definition Quality Score (TDQS)
By punkpeye on April 3, 2026.
mcp
The Hackers Who Tracked My Sleep Cycle
By punkpeye on March 26, 2026.
security
Open Source Has a Bot Problem
By punkpeye on March 19, 2026.
open source

MCP directory API

We provide all the information about MCP servers via our MCP API.

curl -X GET 'https://glama.ai/api/mcp/v1/servers/jhliberty/basecamp-mcp-server'

If you have feedback or need assistance with the MCP directory API, please join our Discord server