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GitLab MCP Server

GitLab MCP Server

by ttpears

Search Groups

search_groups
Read-onlyIdempotent

Find GitLab groups and organizations by name or path, then paginate results to retrieve complete matches for project and access management.

Instructions

Search for GitLab groups and organizations

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
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 groups to retrieve
fetchAllNoFetch multiple pages in one call, up to "first" items total (max 100) — NOT exhaustive. For complete results or accurate counts, leave this false and paginate via after (pageInfo.endCursor).
searchTermYesSearch term to find groups by name or path
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. Changed2 schema fields 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."
    • changedInput schema / properties / fetchAll / description
      Previous value: -"Fetch all pages up to 100 results"New value: +"Fetch multiple pages in one call, up to \"first\" items total (max 100) — NOT exhaustive. For complete results or accurate counts, leave this false and paginate via after (pageInfo.endCursor)."
  3. Changed3 schema fields changedv1.15.0
    • addedInput schema / properties / after
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Cursor for pagination",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / fetchAll
      Added value: +{
      +  "default": false,
      +  "description": "Fetch all pages up to 100 results",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
    • 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

C2.9/5.0
Behavior2/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint, covering the safety profile. The description adds no further behavioral context, such as pagination behavior, authentication needs, or what the search covers (e.g., partial matches). It does not contradict the annotations, but it contributes almost nothing beyond them.

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?

The description is a single, front-loaded sentence with no wasted words. It is appropriately concise, though it lacks any structural cues or additional sentences that might help an agent understand boundaries.

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 complexity (search with pagination and a fetchAll option) and the rich schema coverage, the description is minimal. It does not mention pagination, return format, or how results are ordered, relying entirely on the schema for those details. Since no output schema exists, a brief note on the return value would have been helpful, but the core purpose is at least clear.

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 has 100% description coverage, so all parameters are fully documented in the schema. The description itself adds no parameter-level information, which is acceptable given the high schema coverage, but it does not exceed the baseline.

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 states a specific verb ('Search') and resource ('GitLab groups and organizations'), making it clear what the tool does. It does not, however, explicitly distinguish this from sibling search tools such as search_gitlab or search_projects, which leaves some ambiguity about when exactly to choose this tool.

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, no exclusions, and no mention of prerequisites or typical scenarios. It merely restates the purpose without any usage context.

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