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GitLab MCP Server

GitLab MCP Server

by ttpears

Time Tracking

get_time_tracking
Read-onlyIdempotent

Retrieve time tracking data—estimate, spent time, and timelogs—for a GitLab issue or merge request to review effort and track project costs.

Instructions

Get time tracking data (estimate, spent, timelogs) for an issue or merge request

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
iidYesIssue or merge request IID
afterNoPagination cursor. To fetch the next page, pass the previous response pageInfo.endCursor here and repeat until pageInfo.hasNextPage is false. Paginating this way is the reliable path to complete results and accurate totals.
firstNoNumber of timelog entries to retrieve
projectPathYesFull path of the project (e.g., "group/project-name")
resourceTypeYesType of resource to get time tracking for
includeTimelogsNoWhether to include individual timelog entries
userCredentialsNoYour GitLab credentials (optional — falls back to the configured env token if not provided)

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed2 schema fields changedv4.0.0
    • removedInput schema / additionalProperties
      Removed value: -false
    • changedInput schema / properties / userCredentials / anyOf
      Previous value: -[
      -  {
      -    "additionalProperties": false,
      -    "properties": {
      -      "accessToken": {
      -        "minLength": 1,
      -        "type": "string"
      -      },
      -      "gitlabUrl": {
      -        "format": "uri",
      -        "type": "string"
      -      }
      -    },
      -    "type": "object"
      -  },
      -  {
      -    "type": "null"
      -  }
      -]New value: +[
      +  {
      +    "properties": {
      +      "accessToken": {
      +        "minLength": 1,
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "gitlabUrl": {
      +        "format": "uri",
      +        "type": "string"
      +      }
      +    },
      +    "type": "object"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "null"
      +  }
      +]
  2. Changed1 schema field changedv2.2.4
    • changedInput schema / properties / after / description
      Previous value: -"Cursor for pagination"New value: +"Pagination cursor. To fetch the next page, pass the previous response pageInfo.endCursor here and repeat until pageInfo.hasNextPage is false. Paginating this way is the reliable path to complete results and accurate totals."
  3. Changed1 schema field changedv1.15.0
    • changedInput schema / properties / userCredentials / description
      Previous value: -"Your GitLab credentials (optional - uses shared token if not provided)"New value: +"Your GitLab credentials (optional — falls back to the configured env token if not provided)"
  4. First observedv1.7.3

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is handled. The description adds the useful detail that estimate, spent, and timelogs are all returned, but says nothing about authentication behavior, permissions needed, or that totals require full pagination.

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?

A single front-loaded sentence naming the verb, the resource, the returned data, and the applicable resource types. Zero filler; every clause carries information.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a read tool with no output schema, the description names the three data categories the caller receives, which is the main gap it needed to fill. Minor omission: it doesn't signal that pagination is required for accurate totals, though the schema's cursor parameter text covers that.

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 all seven parameters including pagination, resourceType enum, and credential fallback are already documented. The description's list of returned data categories loosely maps to includeTimelogs but adds no syntax or format detail beyond the schema.

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?

States a specific verb (Get) and resource (time tracking) and enumerates the returned fields (estimate, spent, timelogs), scoped to an issue or merge request. No sibling tool covers time tracking, so differentiation is implicit rather than stated.

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 description scopes usage to issues or merge requests, which tells the agent where the tool applies, but it gives no when-to-use vs. when-not guidance and no mention of when to set includeTimelogs versus pulling only totals.

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