Pauses playback in REAPER to stop audio or MIDI output.
Pause playback.
This tool declares no required parameters. Add optional parameters from the input schema as needed.
{
"id": 1,
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"method": "tools/call",
"params": {
"arguments": {},
"name": "transport_pause"
}
}| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v0.1.0Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It discloses no behavioral traits beyond the action itself – it does not say whether pause is idempotent, whether it retains the playhead position, or how it differs from stop. For a mutation-like transport command at zero annotaton coverage, this is a gap.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two words – 'Pause playback.' – with zero wasted content. It is appropriately sized for a zero-parameter tool and earns its place as a clearly stated action.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple transport action, the description is minimal but understandable. However, the sibling set includes transport_stop and transport_play_stop, and the description does not clarify what makes 'pause' different (e.g., retaining playhead position vs stopping). This incomplete distinction weakens selection accuracy.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The tool has 0 parameters, so the schema covers everything vacuously. The description needn't explain any parameter semantics, and the baseline of 4 applies.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description 'Pause playback' clearly states a specific verb and resource – it pauses playback. It is clear what the tool does, though it does not explicitly differentiate itself from sibling tools like transport_stop or transport_play_stop.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
There is no guidance on when to use this tool versus the many transport siblings (transport_stop, transport_play_stop, transport_play_region). The description implies usage by naming the action, but offers no context or exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.