List available Outlook calendars for AI agents. Retrieve calendars, including shared ones, to view schedules and manage events in Microsoft Outlook.
List available calendars
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| top | No | Number of calendars to return | |
| includeSharedCalendars | No | Whether to include shared calendars |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v2.0.0Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description must disclose behavior. It only says 'List available calendars' without mentioning side effects, authentication needs, or what 'available' means (e.g., own vs shared).
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 a single sentence with no unnecessary words, making it extremely concise.
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?
The tool is simple but lacks output schema, so the agent does not know the return format. The description omits what information each calendar entry contains (ID, name, etc.), leading to incompleteness.
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 schema already fully describes both parameters (includeSharedCalendars and top) with 100% coverage. The description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema.
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 clearly states 'List available calendars' which is a specific verb and resource. However, it does not distinguish from sibling tools like 'outlook_list_events' or 'outlook_get_calendar_view', which list different resources.
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?
The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives or any context for its usage.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.