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gdocs_documents_get

Read-onlyIdempotent

Read a Google Docs document's full structural content by ID, including every tab when requested, so agents can inspect or process its text and layout.

Instructions

Read a document's full structural content. The document ID is the long string in its URL, between '/d/' and '/edit'. Pass include_tabs_content=true for a document with several tabs, since the default response covers only the first.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
documentIdYesThe ID of the document to retrieve. This is the long string in the document's URL, between `/d/` and `/edit`.
includeTabsContentNoWhen true, content is returned in the `tabs` field, covering every tab in the document. When false or omitted, only the first tab's content is returned, in the legacy top-level `body` field.
suggestionsViewModeNoHow to render suggested edits. Defaults to DEFAULT_FOR_CURRENT_ACCESS, which shows suggestions inline if the caller may see them.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. First observedv0.1.0

TDQS

A4/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and idempotentHint=true, so safety is covered structurally. The description adds a genuinely non-obvious behavioral default: the default response covers only the first tab, which would silently truncate output for multi-tab documents. It does not mention auth scopes, payload size, or rate limits, so it is not fully exhaustive.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

Three tight sentences, front-loaded with the purpose, then invocation details. It loses a point because the documentId URL-parsing sentence exactly duplicates the schema description and earns nothing new.

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 read-only get with no output schema, the description covers what the operation does and the one behavioral trap (single-tab default) that would cause an agent to return incomplete content. Nothing further is required to call it correctly.

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 already documents all three parameters, including the tabs/body return-shape distinction for includeTabsContent. The description's documentId explanation is a verbatim restatement of the schema and its tab note largely duplicates the schema text, so baseline 3 is appropriate.

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?

States a specific verb ('Read') and resource ('a document's full structural content'), which is enough to separate it from gdrive_files_export, gsheets_spreadsheets_values_get and granola_notes_get. No ambiguity about what is fetched.

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 sentence about passing include_tabs_content=true for multi-tab documents is conditional guidance on invocation, which is useful. However, there is no guidance on when to choose this tool over sibling read tools (gdrive_files_export, gsheets values get), or any stated prerequisites beyond the ID format.

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