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trace

Start or stop log capture on a device and retrieve the generated artifact when capture ends. Use one request to begin and another to end, then receive the result.

Instructions

Start or stop trace-log capture and return the resulting artifact when capture ends. Use the same artifact path for the matching start and stop requests when an explicit path is required. Times out after 90s.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
pathNo
udidNoiOS device UDID selector.
debugNoEnable debug diagnostics.
runIdNoLease run identifier.
actionYes
deviceNoDevice name selector.
serialNoAndroid device or Vega VVD serial selector.
targetNoAlias for deviceTarget on commands without a UI target field. Interaction commands reserve target for the UI element.
tenantNoRemote tenant identifier.
leaseIdNoExisting lease identifier.
sessionNoAgent-device session name.
noRecordNoDo not record this action.
platformNoPlatform selector used to resolve a device.
includeCostNoInclude per-command agent-cost (cost.wallClockMs, …) in structuredContent. Defaults to off; the default response shape is unchanged.
deviceTargetNoDevice target form. Maps to the CLI --target flag.
responseLevelNoResponse verbosity: token-cheap digest / default (today) / full. Defaults to default; the default response shape is unchanged.
mcpOutputFormatNoMCP text content format. Defaults to optimized agent-friendly text; use json for JSON text. Structured content is always returned separately.
androidDeviceAllowlistNoAndroid serial allowlist used for device resolution.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. Changed8 schema fields changedv0.20.10
    • removedInput schema / properties / cwd
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Working directory for command execution.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / daemonAuthToken
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Remote daemon auth token.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / daemonBaseUrl
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Remote daemon base URL.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosSimulatorDeviceSet
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "iOS simulator device-set path used for device resolution.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosXctestDerivedDataPath
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Derived data path for external iOS XCTest runner execution.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosXctestEnvDir
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Writable directory for iOS XCTest runner env overlays.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / iosXctestrunFile
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Externally built iOS XCTest runner .xctestrun artifact path.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
    • removedInput schema / properties / stateDir
      Removed value: -{
      -  "description": "Agent-device state directory.",
      -  "type": "string"
      -}
  2. Changed1 schema field changedv0.20.9
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "apple",
      -  "android",
      -  "vega",
      -  "linux",
      -  "web",
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "apple",
      +  "android",
      +  "harmonyos",
      +  "vega",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos"
      +]
  3. Changed4 schema fields changedv0.20.2
    • addedInput schema / properties / noRecord
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Do not record this action.",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "apple",
      -  "android",
      -  "linux",
      -  "web",
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "apple",
      +  "android",
      +  "vega",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos"
      +]
    • changedInput schema / properties / serial / description
      Previous value: -"Android serial selector."New value: +"Android device or Vega VVD serial selector."
    • changedOutput schema / (root)
      Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
      +  "oneOf": [
      +    {
      +      "properties": {
      +        "outPath": {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        "trace": {
      +          "const": "started",
      +          "type": "string"
      +        }
      +      },
      +      "required": [
      +        "trace",
      +        "outPath"
      +      ],
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    {
      +      "properties": {
      +        "artifacts": {
      +          "items": {
      +            "properties": {
      +              "artifactType": {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              "field": {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              "fileName": {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              "localPath": {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              "path": {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              }
      +            },
      +            "required": [
      +              "field"
      +            ],
      +            "type": "object"
      +          },
      +          "type": "array"
      +        },
      +        "outPath": {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        "trace": {
      +          "const": "stopped",
      +          "type": "string"
      +        }
      +      },
      +      "required": [
      +        "trace",
      +        "outPath",
      +        "artifacts"
      +      ],
      +      "type": "object"
      +    }
      +  ],
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
  4. Changed3 schema fields changedv0.17.11
    • addedInput schema / properties / includeCost
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Include per-command agent-cost (cost.wallClockMs, …) in structuredContent. Defaults to off; the default response shape is unchanged.",
      +  "type": "boolean"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos",
      -  "android",
      -  "linux",
      -  "web",
      -  "apple"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "apple",
      +  "android",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos"
      +]
    • addedInput schema / properties / responseLevel
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Response verbosity: token-cheap digest / default (today) / full. Defaults to default; the default response shape is unchanged.",
      +  "enum": [
      +    "digest",
      +    "default",
      +    "full"
      +  ],
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
  5. Changed1 schema field changedv0.17.7
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "ios",
      -  "macos",
      -  "android",
      -  "linux",
      -  "apple"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos",
      +  "android",
      +  "linux",
      +  "web",
      +  "apple"
      +]
  6. Changed5 schema fields changedv0.17.6
    • addedInput schema / properties / iosXctestDerivedDataPath
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Derived data path for external iOS XCTest runner execution.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / iosXctestEnvDir
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Writable directory for iOS XCTest runner env overlays.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / iosXctestrunFile
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "Externally built iOS XCTest runner .xctestrun artifact path.",
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • addedInput schema / properties / mcpOutputFormat
      Added value: +{
      +  "description": "MCP text content format. Defaults to optimized agent-friendly text; use json for JSON text. Structured content is always returned separately.",
      +  "enum": [
      +    "optimized",
      +    "json"
      +  ],
      +  "type": "string"
      +}
    • changedInput schema / properties / platform / enum
      Previous value: -[
      -  "ios",
      -  "android",
      -  "macos",
      -  "linux",
      -  "apple"
      -]New value: +[
      +  "ios",
      +  "macos",
      +  "android",
      +  "linux",
      +  "apple"
      +]
  7. First observedv0.16.9

TDQS

A4.1/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

With no annotations, the description carries the behavioral burden and does disclose meaningful behavior: the start/stop state machine, artifact return at end of capture, artifact path pairing, and a 90-second timeout. It does not mention any side effects or permission requirements, but the self-contained behavior is well covered.

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?

Three sentences, each carrying distinct information: the core capability, the path-pairing rule, and the timeout. The most important verb and resource are front-loaded.

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 stateful capture tool, it covers the essential operational concerns (start/stop, artifact path, return timing, timeout) and an output schema exists. It could be more explicit about the start response versus the stop response, but nothing critical is missing for invoking correctly.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters4/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema coverage is 89%, so the schema already documents most parameters. The description adds value beyond that by explaining that path must be shared between matching start and stop requests, which is not evident from the schema alone.

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 identifies a specific action (start/stop trace-log capture) and a concrete outcome (returning the resulting artifact), so an agent knows what the tool does. It does not explicitly differentiate trace from sibling tools like record or perf, but the trace-log capture resource is distinctive enough to avoid most ambiguity.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It gives clear operational context: start or stop capture, reuse the same artifact path across matching requests, and expect completion within 90s. It does not list alternative sibling tools or when-not conditions, which prevents a 5.

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

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