WCAG MCP Server

get-techniques-for-criterion

Retrieve WCAG techniques, including sufficient methods, advisory guidance, and common failures, for any specific success criterion to implement accessibility requirements.

Instructions

Gets all techniques (sufficient, advisory, and failures) for a specific success criterion.

Tool call template

Replace each placeholder with a value matching the input schema. Only required parameters are included; add optional parameters as needed.

{
  "id": 1,
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "arguments": {
      "ref_id": "<ref_id>"
    },
    "name": "get-techniques-for-criterion"
  }
}

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`ref_id`	Yes	Success criterion reference number (e.g., "1.1.1", "2.4.7")

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

First observedv2.0.0Feb 5, 2026

TDQS

B3.1/5.0

Behavior2/5

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 states the tool 'gets' data, implying a read-only operation, but doesn't describe the return format (e.g., structure, pagination), error handling, or any constraints like rate limits or authentication needs. This leaves significant gaps for a tool with no annotation coverage.

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 directly states the tool's purpose without unnecessary words. It is appropriately sized and front-loaded, with every part contributing essential information about what the tool does.

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?

Given the tool's moderate complexity (single parameter, read operation) and no output schema, the description is minimally adequate but incomplete. It specifies what the tool retrieves but lacks details on return values, error cases, or behavioral traits, which are important for a tool with no annotations. The high schema coverage helps, but more context is needed for full understanding.

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 schema description coverage is 100%, with the single parameter 'ref_id' fully documented in the schema as a success criterion reference number with examples. The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond what the schema provides, so it meets the baseline score of 3 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 tool's purpose with a specific verb ('gets') and resource ('all techniques for a specific success criterion'), including the types of techniques (sufficient, advisory, and failures). It distinguishes from some siblings like 'get-technique' (singular) and 'list-techniques' (general list), but doesn't explicitly differentiate from 'get-failures-for-criterion' which focuses only on failures.

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 when to choose this over 'get-failures-for-criterion' (which gets only failures) or 'get-success-criteria-detail' (which might include techniques), nor does it specify prerequisites or context for use.

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