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API-post-database-query

Query Notion databases efficiently using filters, sorting, and pagination to retrieve specific page properties and structured data from a given database identifier.

Instructions

Notion | Query a database

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
archivedNo
database_idYesIdentifier for a Notion database.
filterNoWhen supplied, limits which pages are returned based on the [filter conditions](ref:post-database-query-filter).
filter_propertiesNoA list of page property value IDs associated with the database. Use this param to limit the response to a specific page property value or values for pages that meet the `filter` criteria.
in_trashNo
page_sizeNoThe number of items from the full list desired in the response. Maximum: 100
sortsNoWhen supplied, orders the results based on the provided [sort criteria](ref:post-database-query-sort).
start_cursorNoWhen supplied, returns a page of results starting after the cursor provided. If not supplied, this endpoint will return the first page of results.

Implementation Reference

  • Handler for calling any MCP tool, including 'API-post-database-query'. Parses tool name to find matching OpenAPI operation, executes via HTTP, formats response.
    // Handle tool calling
    this.server.setRequestHandler(CallToolRequestSchema, async (request) => {
      const { name, arguments: params } = request.params
    
      // Find the operation in OpenAPI spec
      const operation = this.findOperation(name)
      if (!operation) {
        throw new Error(`Method ${name} not found`)
      }
    
      try {
        // Execute the operation
        const response = await this.httpClient.executeOperation(operation, params)
    
        // Convert response to MCP format
        return {
          content: [
            {
              type: 'text', // currently this is the only type that seems to be used by mcp server
              text: JSON.stringify(response.data), // TODO: pass through the http status code text?
            },
          ],
        }
      } catch (error) {
        console.error('Error in tool call', error)
        if (error instanceof HttpClientError) {
          console.error('HttpClientError encountered, returning structured error', error)
          const data = error.data?.response?.data ?? error.data ?? {}
          return {
            content: [
              {
                type: 'text',
                text: JSON.stringify({
                  status: 'error', // TODO: get this from http status code?
                  ...(typeof data === 'object' ? data : { data: data }),
                }),
              },
            ],
          }
        }
        throw error
      }
    })
  • Registers the listTools handler which dynamically generates the list of tools, constructing names like 'API-post-database-query' from 'API' + operationId.
    this.server.setRequestHandler(ListToolsRequestSchema, async () => {
      const tools: Tool[] = []
    
      // Add methods as separate tools to match the MCP format
      Object.entries(this.tools).forEach(([toolName, def]) => {
        def.methods.forEach(method => {
          const toolNameWithMethod = `${toolName}-${method.name}`;
          const truncatedToolName = this.truncateToolName(toolNameWithMethod);
          tools.push({
            name: truncatedToolName,
            description: method.description,
            inputSchema: method.inputSchema as Tool['inputSchema'],
          })
        })
      })
    
      return { tools }
    })
  • Generates inputSchema and returnSchema for each OpenAPI operation (e.g., operationId 'post-database-query'), used for the 'API-post-database-query' tool schema.
    private convertOperationToMCPMethod(operation: OpenAPIV3.OperationObject, method: string, path: string): NewToolMethod | null {
      if (!operation.operationId) {
        console.warn(`Operation without operationId at ${method} ${path}`)
        return null
      }
    
      const methodName = operation.operationId
    
      const inputSchema: IJsonSchema & { type: 'object' } = {
        $defs: this.convertComponentsToJsonSchema(),
        type: 'object',
        properties: {},
        required: [],
      }
    
      // Handle parameters (path, query, header, cookie)
      if (operation.parameters) {
        for (const param of operation.parameters) {
          const paramObj = this.resolveParameter(param)
          if (paramObj && paramObj.schema) {
            const schema = this.convertOpenApiSchemaToJsonSchema(paramObj.schema, new Set(), false)
            // Merge parameter-level description if available
            if (paramObj.description) {
              schema.description = paramObj.description
            }
            inputSchema.properties![paramObj.name] = schema
            if (paramObj.required) {
              inputSchema.required!.push(paramObj.name)
            }
          }
        }
      }
    
      // Handle requestBody
      if (operation.requestBody) {
        const bodyObj = this.resolveRequestBody(operation.requestBody)
        if (bodyObj?.content) {
          // Handle multipart/form-data for file uploads
          // We convert the multipart/form-data schema to a JSON schema and we require
          // that the user passes in a string for each file that points to the local file
          if (bodyObj.content['multipart/form-data']?.schema) {
            const formSchema = this.convertOpenApiSchemaToJsonSchema(bodyObj.content['multipart/form-data'].schema, new Set(), false)
            if (formSchema.type === 'object' && formSchema.properties) {
              for (const [name, propSchema] of Object.entries(formSchema.properties)) {
                inputSchema.properties![name] = propSchema
              }
              if (formSchema.required) {
                inputSchema.required!.push(...formSchema.required!)
              }
            }
          }
          // Handle application/json
          else if (bodyObj.content['application/json']?.schema) {
            const bodySchema = this.convertOpenApiSchemaToJsonSchema(bodyObj.content['application/json'].schema, new Set(), false)
            // Merge body schema into the inputSchema's properties
            if (bodySchema.type === 'object' && bodySchema.properties) {
              for (const [name, propSchema] of Object.entries(bodySchema.properties)) {
                inputSchema.properties![name] = propSchema
              }
              if (bodySchema.required) {
                inputSchema.required!.push(...bodySchema.required!)
              }
            } else {
              // If the request body is not an object, just put it under "body"
              inputSchema.properties!['body'] = bodySchema
              inputSchema.required!.push('body')
            }
          }
        }
      }
    
      // Build description including error responses
      let description = operation.summary || operation.description || ''
      if (operation.responses) {
        const errorResponses = Object.entries(operation.responses)
          .filter(([code]) => code.startsWith('4') || code.startsWith('5'))
          .map(([code, response]) => {
            const responseObj = this.resolveResponse(response)
            let errorDesc = responseObj?.description || ''
            return `${code}: ${errorDesc}`
          })
    
        if (errorResponses.length > 0) {
          description += '\nError Responses:\n' + errorResponses.join('\n')
        }
      }
    
      // Extract return type (response schema)
      const returnSchema = this.extractResponseType(operation.responses)
    
      // Generate Zod schema from input schema
      try {
        // const zodSchemaStr = jsonSchemaToZod(inputSchema, { module: "cjs" })
        // console.log(zodSchemaStr)
        // // Execute the function with the zod instance
        // const zodSchema = eval(zodSchemaStr) as z.ZodType
    
        return {
          name: methodName,
          description,
          inputSchema,
          ...(returnSchema ? { returnSchema } : {}),
        }
      } catch (error) {
        console.warn(`Failed to generate Zod schema for ${methodName}:`, error)
        // Fallback to a basic object schema
        return {
          name: methodName,
          description,
          inputSchema,
          ...(returnSchema ? { returnSchema } : {}),
        }
      }
    }
  • Adds the MCP method for each OpenAPI operation to the 'API' tool group, sets lookup key to 'API-{operationId}' for 'API-post-database-query'.
    const mcpMethod = this.convertOperationToMCPMethod(operation, method, path)
    if (mcpMethod) {
      const uniqueName = this.ensureUniqueName(mcpMethod.name)
      mcpMethod.name = uniqueName
      mcpMethod.description = this.getDescription(operation.summary || operation.description || '')
      tools[apiName]!.methods.push(mcpMethod)
      openApiLookup[apiName + '-' + uniqueName] = { ...operation, method, path }
      zip[apiName + '-' + uniqueName] = { openApi: { ...operation, method, path }, mcp: mcpMethod }
    }
  • Executes the OpenAPI operation via openapi-client-axios, handling parameters, file uploads, and returns structured response or error.
    async executeOperation<T = any>(
      operation: OpenAPIV3.OperationObject & { method: string; path: string },
      params: Record<string, any> = {},
    ): Promise<HttpClientResponse<T>> {
      const api = await this.api
      const operationId = operation.operationId
      if (!operationId) {
        throw new Error('Operation ID is required')
      }
    
      // Handle file uploads if present
      const formData = await this.prepareFileUpload(operation, params)
    
      // Separate parameters based on their location
      const urlParameters: Record<string, any> = {}
      const bodyParams: Record<string, any> = formData || { ...params }
    
      // Extract path and query parameters based on operation definition
      if (operation.parameters) {
        for (const param of operation.parameters) {
          if ('name' in param && param.name && param.in) {
            if (param.in === 'path' || param.in === 'query') {
              if (params[param.name] !== undefined) {
                urlParameters[param.name] = params[param.name]
                if (!formData) {
                  delete bodyParams[param.name]
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
      }
    
      // Add all parameters as url parameters if there is no requestBody defined
      if (!operation.requestBody && !formData) {
        for (const key in bodyParams) {
          if (bodyParams[key] !== undefined) {
            urlParameters[key] = bodyParams[key]
            delete bodyParams[key]
          }
        }
      }
    
      const operationFn = (api as any)[operationId]
      if (!operationFn) {
        throw new Error(`Operation ${operationId} not found`)
      }
    
      try {
        // If we have form data, we need to set the correct headers
        const hasBody = Object.keys(bodyParams).length > 0
        const headers = formData
          ? formData.getHeaders()
          : { ...(hasBody ? { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' } : { 'Content-Type': null }) }
        const requestConfig = {
          headers: {
            ...headers,
          },
        }
    
        // first argument is url parameters, second is body parameters
        const response = await operationFn(urlParameters, hasBody ? bodyParams : undefined, requestConfig)
    
        // Convert axios headers to Headers object
        const responseHeaders = new Headers()
        Object.entries(response.headers).forEach(([key, value]) => {
          if (value) responseHeaders.append(key, value.toString())
        })
    
        return {
          data: response.data,
          status: response.status,
          headers: responseHeaders,
        }
      } catch (error: any) {
        if (error.response) {
          console.error('Error in http client', error)
          const headers = new Headers()
          Object.entries(error.response.headers).forEach(([key, value]) => {
            if (value) headers.append(key, value.toString())
          })
    
          throw new HttpClientError(error.response.statusText || 'Request failed', error.response.status, error.response.data, headers)
        }
        throw error
      }
    }
Behavior2/5

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

With no annotations, the description must fully disclose behavior but only states 'Query a database'. It does not explain that this is a read-only operation, how results are paginated, rate limits, authentication needs, or what 'Query' entails (e.g., filtering, sorting). The description adds minimal context beyond the name.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness2/5

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

The description 'Notion | Query a database' is overly concise to the point of under-specification. It wastes no words but fails to convey necessary information, making it inefficient rather than succinct. It lacks front-loaded key details.

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 8 parameters, no output schema, and no annotations, the description is incomplete. It does not address the tool's complexity, such as pagination behavior, return format, or how to interpret results. For a query tool with rich input options, this leaves significant gaps.

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 75%, providing good documentation for most parameters. The description adds no parameter details beyond the schema, such as explaining 'database_id' usage or 'filter' conditions. However, with high schema coverage, the baseline is 3, as the description doesn't compensate but doesn't detract.

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

Purpose2/5

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

The description 'Notion | Query a database' restates the tool name 'API-post-database-query' without specifying the action. It mentions 'Query' but lacks details like what is queried (pages/records), how results are returned, or how it differs from sibling tools like 'API-retrieve-a-database' or 'API-post-search'. This is a tautology with minimal added value.

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

Usage Guidelines1/5

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

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It does not mention prerequisites, context, or comparisons to siblings like 'API-retrieve-a-database' (for metadata) or 'API-post-search' (for broader searches). The description offers no usage instructions.

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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