OpenProject CE MCP Server

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Update time entry

update_time_entry

Correct an existing time entry by changing only the fields you provide—hours, spent date, activity, or comment—while leaving all other values unchanged.

Instructions

Correct an existing time entry.

Use it for the everyday fixes: wrong duration, wrong day, wrong activity, a comment that needs to say what actually happened. Only the parameters you pass are written; everything else is left exactly as it is.

Returns the updated entry in the same shape log_time returns.

Pitfalls. What can be moved between entries is limited: the work package and the project a time entry belongs to are not editable here — delete the entry and log it again where it belongs. Some instances report a lock_version for time entries and some do not; this tool reads the entry first and only echoes a lock version when one exists, so a concurrent edit surfaces as a conflict error with the fresh state rather than silently overwriting a colleague's correction. Editing time inside a closed cost-reporting period is refused by OpenProject with a validation error.

Cross-references: find the id with list_time_entries; remove the entry entirely with delete_time_entry; the valid activity names come from get_project_metadata.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`hours`	No	New duration in hours as a float (1.5 = 1h30). Omit to leave it.
`comment`	No	New comment text. Pass an empty string to clear it; omit to leave the existing comment untouched.
`activity`	No	New activity as a name or numeric id. Names are resolved against the entry's own form, so an unknown one fails with the valid ones listed.
`spent_on`	No	New spent-on date, ISO YYYY-MM-DD. Omit to leave it.
`time_entry_id`	Yes	Id of the entry to correct. It comes from list_time_entries or from the log_time result — it is not a work package id.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`id`	No
`user`	No
`hours`	No
`comment`	No
`project`	No
`activity`	No
`spent_on`	No
`created_at`	No
`updated_at`	No
`lock_version`	No
`work_package`	No

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed41 schema fields changedv0.4.0Oct 24, 2026

removedOutput schema / description

Removed value: -"A single time entry with the fields only a detail read carries."

changedOutput schema / properties / activity / anyOf

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "additionalProperties": false,
-    "description": "A reference to another resource. Canonical output shape.",
-    "properties": {
-      "id": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "integer"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Resource id."
-      },
-      "name": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Human-readable name."
-      }
-    },
-    "type": "object"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "properties": {
+      "id": {
+        "type": [
+          "integer",
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      },
+      "name": {
+        "type": [
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      }
+    },
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "null"
+  }
+]

removedOutput schema / properties / activity / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

removedOutput schema / properties / activity / description

Removed value: -"Time-entry activity (Development, Management, …); instance-defined."

removedOutput schema / properties / comment / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedOutput schema / properties / comment / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

removedOutput schema / properties / comment / description

Removed value: -"Free-text comment as entered (raw); html is dropped."

addedOutput schema / properties / comment / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / created_at / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedOutput schema / properties / created_at / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
removedOutput schema / properties / created_at / description
```
Removed value: -"ISO 8601 UTC timestamp."
```
addedOutput schema / properties / created_at / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / hours / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "number"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedOutput schema / properties / hours / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

removedOutput schema / properties / hours / description

Removed value: -"Logged duration in hours as a float (1.5 = one and a half hours), converted from OpenProject's ISO 8601 duration."

addedOutput schema / properties / hours / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "number",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / id / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "integer"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedOutput schema / properties / id / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

removedOutput schema / properties / id / description

Removed value: -"Time entry id. Feed it to update_time_entry or delete_time_entry."

addedOutput schema / properties / id / type

Added value: +[
+  "integer",
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]

removedOutput schema / properties / lock_version / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "integer"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedOutput schema / properties / lock_version / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

removedOutput schema / properties / lock_version / description

Removed value: -"Optimistic-locking version, when this instance reports one for time entries; null means the resource is updated without a lock version."

addedOutput schema / properties / lock_version / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "integer",
+  "null"
+]
```

changedOutput schema / properties / project / anyOf

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "additionalProperties": false,
-    "description": "A reference to another resource. Canonical output shape.",
-    "properties": {
-      "id": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "integer"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Resource id."
-      },
-      "name": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Human-readable name."
-      }
-    },
-    "type": "object"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "properties": {
+      "id": {
+        "type": [
+          "integer",
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      },
+      "name": {
+        "type": [
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      }
+    },
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "null"
+  }
+]

removedOutput schema / properties / project / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
removedOutput schema / properties / project / description
```
Removed value: -"Project the entry belongs to."
```

removedOutput schema / properties / spent_on / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedOutput schema / properties / spent_on / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

removedOutput schema / properties / spent_on / description

Removed value: -"The date the work was done, ISO YYYY-MM-DD."

addedOutput schema / properties / spent_on / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / updated_at / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

removedOutput schema / properties / updated_at / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
removedOutput schema / properties / updated_at / description
```
Removed value: -"ISO 8601 UTC timestamp."
```
addedOutput schema / properties / updated_at / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

changedOutput schema / properties / user / anyOf

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "additionalProperties": false,
-    "description": "A reference to another resource. Canonical output shape.",
-    "properties": {
-      "id": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "integer"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Resource id."
-      },
-      "name": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Human-readable name."
-      }
-    },
-    "type": "object"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "properties": {
+      "id": {
+        "type": [
+          "integer",
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      },
+      "name": {
+        "type": [
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      }
+    },
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "null"
+  }
+]

removedOutput schema / properties / user / default
```
Removed value: -null
```
removedOutput schema / properties / user / description
```
Removed value: -"User the time is booked for."
```

changedOutput schema / properties / work_package / anyOf

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "additionalProperties": false,
-    "description": "A reference to another resource. Canonical output shape.",
-    "properties": {
-      "id": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "integer"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Resource id."
-      },
-      "name": {
-        "anyOf": [
-          {
-            "type": "string"
-          },
-          {
-            "type": "null"
-          }
-        ],
-        "default": null,
-        "description": "Human-readable name."
-      }
-    },
-    "type": "object"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "additionalProperties": false,
+    "properties": {
+      "id": {
+        "type": [
+          "integer",
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      },
+      "name": {
+        "type": [
+          "string",
+          "null"
+        ]
+      }
+    },
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "null"
+  }
+]

removedOutput schema / properties / work_package / default
```
Removed value: -null
```

removedOutput schema / properties / work_package / description

Removed value: -"Work package the time is booked on; null for project-level entries."

First observedv0.1.0Aug 12, 2026

TDQS

A4.9/5.0

Behavior5/5

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

The description goes well beyond the annotations by explaining partial-update semantics, optimistic locking and conflict behavior, closed-period validation refusal, and the non-editable fields. These are exactly the operational traits an agent needs before invoking 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.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is front-loaded with the core action, then moves through usage, return value, pitfalls, and cross-references. Despite its length, the structure is deliberate and every section contributes useful operational context.

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 mutation risk, partial-update behavior, concurrency caveat, and validation restrictions, the description is complete enough for correct invocation. The output schema exists, so the brief return-shape note is sufficient without duplicating full response details.

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 already 100%, so the schema carries most parameter meaning. The description still adds important semantics: only passed parameters are written, work package and project are not editable here, and activity names come from project metadata.

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 opens with a specific verb and resource: 'Correct an existing time entry.' It distinguishes this from creating or deleting entries through the examples and cross-references to log_time and delete_time_entry.

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

Usage Guidelines5/5

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

It explicitly lists the intended everyday fixes and identifies when to use alternatives, such as deleting and re-logging when the work package or project must change. It also routes the agent to list_time_entries for ids and get_project_metadata for valid activity names.

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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