splicedeck
Click on "Install Server".
Wait a few minutes for the server to deploy. Once ready, it will show a "Started" state.
In the chat, type
@followed by the MCP server name and your instructions, e.g., "@splicedeckinspect the file at media/talk_01.mov and then draft a vertical clip for party acme-corp"
That's it! The server will respond to your query, and you can continue using it as needed.
Here is a step-by-step guide with screenshots.
splicedeck
A video editor an AI agent drives, running on your own machine.
One call dresses a cut in a template: motion graphics, overlays, captions and a beat grid to cut against. One pass over a source gives you both a cleaned long-form master and vertical clips. And it remembers how each client, channel or show likes to be cut, so the next edit starts where the last one ended.
There is no timeline to drag and no account to create. Nothing is uploaded.
Status: the pipeline runs end to end, and memory reaches the cut
A source becomes a delivered file today. Measured on the reference machine (Windows 11, Python 3.13, ffmpeg 8.1.2) against a real 223 MB
.mov:inspect 2.6 s draft 27 ms splice 27 ms verify 42 ms deliver 157 s -> 1920×1080 h264 + aac, -23.0 LUFS, decodes clean
python -m pytestreports 1425 passed, 2 skipped in about four minutes. Thirty-one verbs reach the CLI and eighteen of them reach an MCP server, both generated from one table so they cannot drift apart.One headline feature does not work yet. Cutting by quoting needs a speech binary that no manifest can currently obtain. Read What does not work before you plan around it.
Install
You need Python 3.12 or newer and ffmpeg 8.x on your PATH. splicedeck neither installs
nor bundles ffmpeg, and docs/first-run.md §4 explains why that is
deliberate.
The setup script asks where the workspace goes, offers to install ffmpeg after showing you the exact command, scaffolds everything and writes an MCP config:
curl -fsSLO https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ihuzaifashoukat/splicedeck/main/install.sh
less install.sh && bash install.shirm https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ihuzaifashoukat/splicedeck/main/install.ps1 -OutFile install.ps1
notepad install.ps1; powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File install.ps1Read it before you run it. A curl | bash one-liner would be a poor advertisement for a
project whose README is largely about a threat model.
If you would rather do it yourself, or want the tests:
uv tool install splicedeck # or: pipx install splicedeck
git clone https://github.com/ihuzaifashoukat/splicedeck.git && cd splicedeck
python -m venv .venv
.venv/Scripts/python -m pip install -e ".[dev]" # Windows
.venv/bin/python -m pip install -e ".[dev]" # macOS, LinuxNot on PyPI yet. There is no release, so uv tool install splicedeck will 404 until
the first tag is pushed. Until then use the script, a clone, or
uv tool install "git+https://github.com/ihuzaifashoukat/splicedeck.git".
docs/install.md has every route, the per-platform ffmpeg commands,
the environment variables, and a prompt you can paste into an AI agent to have it install
and wire up splicedeck for you.
Related MCP server: ittybitty MCP server
Try it
The workspace root is whichever directory you run in, and spd init scaffolds one:
mkdir my-edit && cd my-edit
spd init # bookmarks/ casebook/ elements/ ledger/ media/ profiles/ templates/
mkdir -p casebook/parties/demo
spd ready # what is present, and what each gap blocksinit never overwrites. Re-running it after you have edited a profile fills in
whatever is missing and leaves your edits alone. The files it writes are byte-identical
to the ones this repository ships, and python -m checks.starter --check enforces that.
Then put your footage under media/ and cut:
spd inspect --path media/your-file.mov # mints a source handle
spd draft --party demo --source s1 --bookmark baseline --profile wide-1080
spd apply --sheet c1 --template clean-master # overlays, motion, beat grid
spd splice --sheet c1 --source a --in_ticks 0 --out_ticks 900000 \
--source_in_ticks 0 --cause manual
spd verify --sheet c1
spd deliver --sheet c1Sources must live inside the workspace. A path with a drive letter in it is refused
PATH_OUTSIDE_WORKSPACE before anything is read.
A party is created by a human, by hand, on purpose. draft refuses UNKNOWN_PARTY
until casebook/parties/<name>/ exists.
To drive it from an MCP-capable assistant, register the server:
{"mcpServers": {"splicedeck": {
"command": "C:\\src\\splicedeck\\.venv\\Scripts\\python.exe",
"args": ["-m", "splicedeck.surface.mcp"],
"cwd": "C:\\src\\splicedeck"}}}cwd must be the workspace, because the workspace root is the working directory and
nothing else discovers it. python -m splicedeck.surface.mcp --tools prints the
generated tool list and exits, which is how you tell a broken server from a broken host
configuration. docs/mcp.md is the full guide.
Templates: the look in one call
apply dresses a cut sheet in a named template. It places the overlays, writes the
beat grid the agent then cuts against, and records on the sheet which template it used.
Four ship today:
Template | What it is |
| A calm talking-head master carrying one lower-third and no beat grid |
| A fast-cut vertical: three beat slots with a pulsing accent on each |
| A promo look: full-bleed intro and outro cards around two beat slots |
| One small mark on screen and nothing else |
A template's overlays animate when the optional motion tier is installed, and fall back
to a still imprint when it is not. Six animated compositions ship in
scenes/, written for this project and licensed with it.
Slots are enforced. verify refuses to pass a sheet with an unfilled slot, and a cut
landing outside a slot's tolerance is refused SLOT_TOO_TIGHT with the nearest legal
edges returned as ready-to-send calls. That is what lets an agent hit a rhythm it
cannot see.
You can write your own. spd compose --kind template validates and writes a
hand-authored template or element card. It is deliberately CLI-only: the MCP server may
not write to templates/, and docs/templates.md §4 explains the
reasoning rather than treating it as an oversight.
Why memory
An edit is a thousand small judgements and almost all of them repeat. How long to hold after a punchline. Whether this speaker's filler is noise or personality. How big captions have to be on a phone at arm's length. A stateless tool makes you re-supply that context every session, which is why "AI editing" so often produces something technically correct and tonally wrong.
Here, a decision you make once is recorded and reused:
subtitle.size_px = 74
when {surface: vertical, frame: 1080x1920}
set by a render you shipped and kept, 2026-08-02
before 66That record lives in your repository as reviewable text. You can read the diff, correct
a bad entry by editing a line, and git revert a change that made the edits worse. It
is a behaviour changelog, kept in the same place as everything else you version.
Two rules keep it trustworthy:
Nothing durable is written by the model. A record describes something a human did: shipped a render and kept it, restored a moment the cut removed. The agent can point at what happened; it cannot compose what gets remembered.
Every write passes a human gate. No preference is learned silently.
That loop runs today. spd set, ship, keep, restore and discard append acts to
a party's hash-chained ledger and stage a proposal from each one; an act cannot be
appended to a chain that does not verify. spd review then asks for the value blind,
showing the bounds and the shipped cut but never the number, and a matching answer
becomes a sealed case and a regenerated findings.lock.txt. The next draft resolves
against it: the bookmark opens the settings, the casebook overrides the ones a human
settled, and the sheet records which lock it read.
Local first, and complete
A fresh clone with no API keys and no cloud account produces a finished, delivered file on your own machine. That is the baseline, not a degraded mode.
Cloud services can be switched on where they genuinely help, such as a hosted speech API for difficult audio or diarisation, but nothing becomes required and no deliverable depends on one. ffmpeg does the work as a child process. It is never vendored and never linked.
The project also refuses to guess about your hardware. Encoder support is proven by
test-encoding rather than by reading a feature list, because feature lists lie. On the
development machine ffmpeg -encoders advertises an NVIDIA encoder that fails at
runtime, while the Intel one that actually works goes unmentioned in every guide.
What works
One analysis pass, two deliverables. Transcription and analysis run once per source. The long-form master and the vertical clips both read the same results.
Frame-accurate cutting with no audio drift. Audio stays PCM until the mux and is encoded once. The delivered samples are byte-identical to a reference assembly built in Python over 45 and 120 joins. Measured, not asserted.
Templates and motion in one call, with a beat grid the agent cuts against and a still fallback when the motion tier is absent.
Captions that stay legible. Size and contrast floors are enforced by the renderer, and text that would land under a platform's own interface is refused rather than drawn. Glyphs are shaped and rasterised by a pure-stdlib TrueType parser, so imprints are byte-reproducible and committed as goldens.
Vertical framing that admits uncertainty. When the subject cannot be tracked confidently it declines to auto-frame and says why. A confidently wrong crop is worse than an honest refusal, because nobody reviews the one that looked fine.
Rights that hold up. Music, effects and stock footage carry a record of where they came from and what the terms permit. A delivery refuses to run if any asset lacks one.
Typed refusals that carry their own correction. A refusal arrives with
retry_with, a list of ready-to-send calls. There are 102 codes, each with a construction site and a test proving it is reachable.
What does not work
Stated plainly, because a status section that omits this is the reason the last one was worthless.
Not working | Why | Blocks |
Cutting by quoting |
|
|
Subject tracking by model | No detector is pinned or shipped ( |
|
Cancelling from an MCP host | The stdio loop is single-threaded, so nothing can arrive during a |
|
CHANGELOG.md carries the same list, and the two are meant to stay in
sync.
Two tiers below the model one do work. subject: "centre" is geometric and needs
nothing. SPD_SIGHT_LOCATOR=reduce selects a weights-free locator that finds the subject
by temporal-median background subtraction in pure stdlib Python, no numpy and no compiled
extension anywhere.
Checked against a face detector on the reference master, that locator's median agreed to
within 0.1% of frame width. On the same footage it then reported certainty 0.26 and fitted
no path at all, because a speaker who barely moves against a static background leaves
nothing for background subtraction to hold onto. Both of those are the right answer: the
arithmetic is sound, and the honest limit of a weights-free tier is a hole rather than a
centred guess (docs/framing.md §7). Footage with a moving subject
tracks fine.
How you drive it
Through an MCP server and Skills, so any MCP-capable assistant can use it, plus a CLI
exposing exactly the same verbs. Both surfaces are generated from
splicedeck/surface/verbs.py, and python -m checks.golden --check fails the build if
they drift apart.
The server speaks five protocol revisions, 2024-11-05 through 2026-07-28, and
answers both the initialize handshake and server/discover.
Failures are typed. A refusal carries its own correction as ready-to-send calls rather than prose an agent has to interpret, so recovery is one turn:
{"ok": false, "verb": "draft", "refused": "BOOKMARK_UNKNOWN",
"plain": "No bookmark by that name is shipped.",
"needs_human": false,
"retry_with": [{"verb": "draft", "args": {"bookmark": "baseline", "party": "demo",
"profile": "wide-1080", "situation": "default", "source": "s1"}}]}Skills
Four skills teach an agent the verb order, the traps between verbs, and how to turn a
refusal into the next correct call. They live in
.claude/skills/, and a clone picks them up with no install at all.
Skill | Fires when |
| Turning a source into a delivered file |
| Carving a 9:16 clip and keeping the subject in frame |
| Any |
| Editing this codebase, or when two documents disagree |
This repository is also a Claude Code plugin and its own marketplace:
claude plugin marketplace add ihuzaifashoukat/splicedeck
claude plugin install splicedeck@splicedeckOr install the skills into any of the agents the skills CLI supports, including
Codex, Cursor, OpenCode, Antigravity, Cline, Gemini CLI, Zed and Windsurf:
npx skills add ihuzaifashoukat/splicedeck # add --list to look firstBoth routes ship the skills only. They do not register the MCP server, because the
server needs an absolute interpreter path and a cwd that neither a plugin nor a skill
installer can know. install.sh writes that for you, and
docs/mcp.md has it by hand.
Every other agent runtime reads AGENTS.md.
Design
The specification is written before the code, deliberately.
Document | What it settles |
The contract every contributor and agent works under | |
The map: runtimes, packages, data flow | |
Clone to delivered file, and the Windows traps | |
Every install route, and a prompt for an AI agent | |
Driving splicedeck from an assistant | |
The core artifact: integer-timed, diffable, human-readable | |
Templates, slots, and what | |
How memory is stored, resolved and gated | |
The threat model, and why memory is an attack surface | |
Styles, and the axes they are points in | |
The verb table and the refusal catalogue | |
The feature areas, and what each has to prove |
Persistent memory in an agent is a security surface, not just a feature. Anything an
attacker can write into it outlives the conversation that planted it. If you read one
document, read docs/security.md.
Non-goals
Assembling a film from many sources. Generating video or music. A timeline GUI. Real-time collaboration. A hosted service. Automatically choosing which moments become clips, since it presents candidates and waits for a person.
Requirements
Python 3.12 or newer, and ffmpeg 8.x on your PATH. No compiled Python extension is
used on any default path, so there is no build step and no platform runtime to install
first. Windows, macOS and Linux; CI covers Ubuntu and Windows, and macOS is untested by
machine.
The motion tier additionally needs Node and an npm install inside scenes/. It is
optional, and a delivery without it falls back to still imprints.
Contributing
Issues and design critique are welcome. CONTRIBUTING.md is the
front door: setup, the checks to run, how to add a verb or a refusal code, and the
things that get a pull request rejected regardless of merit. Read
AGENTS.md first. The twelve hard rules are load-bearing, and a change
that breaks one is rejected on that basis alone.
By taking part you agree to the Code of Conduct.
Security
Please do not open a public issue for a vulnerability. SECURITY.md has
the reporting route and what is in scope.
Licence
Apache-2.0. Copyright 2026 Huzaifa Shoukat.
Available Tools
18 toolsapplyC
Dress a cut sheet in a named template: its overlays and its beat grid.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| dry_run | No | Return the calls this would make instead of making them. | |
| template | Yes | A template id under templates/. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description must carry the full load for behavioral transparency. It only states the action without disclosing side effects, destructive nature, idempotency behavior, permissions, or what happens to existing data. The mention of 'dress' implies modification but lacks necessary detail.
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, front-loaded sentence of 13 words that efficiently conveys the core action and scope. Every word earns its place, with no fluff or repetition.
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 has no output schema and no annotations, yet the description omits operational details such as return values, error conditions, or the effect of the idempotency key. The agent lacks sufficient context to understand the full lifecycle of using this tool, making it incomplete for a complex operation.
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 description adds meaning beyond the schema by explaining that the template applies overlays and beat grid to the sheet. This contextualizes the 'template' and 'sheet' parameters beyond their raw definitions, despite the schema already having 100% coverage.
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 the tool applies a named template to a cut sheet, specifying that it affects overlays and beat grid. The verb 'dress' is domain-specific but still conveys the intended action on a specific resource, distinguishing it from sibling tools like 'draft' or 'splice'.
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, nor does it mention prerequisites, contraindications, or typical workflows. Without any usage context, an agent has no basis to decide between 'apply' and other sibling tools.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
cancelC
Stop a running job and everything it started.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| job | Yes | A job handle. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description must fully disclose behavioral traits. It states the tool stops 'everything it started', hinting at cascading effects, but does not mention whether this is irreversible, whether it requires special permissions, or what happens to dependent processes. The serious consequence of destruction is implied but not explicitly flagged.
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?
Single sentence, minimal words, no redundancy. Every word is necessary and information-dense.
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 destructive, irreversible action on a running resource, the description should explicitly mention return behavior (e.g., success/error feedback), side effects, and safety considerations. With no output schema, the agent is left without important context. The tool's simplicity suggests it could be concise while still warning about consequences.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description does not add any parameter-specific meaning beyond what the schema provides (e.g., what a valid job handle looks like, format, or where to obtain it).
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 uses a clear verb ('Stop') and specific resource ('a running job'), and adds scope ('and everything it started'). While it does not explicitly distinguish itself from siblings, its action is distinct enough to infer purpose.
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives (e.g., when to cancel vs stop via inspect, or cleanup implications). The description lacks any context about prerequisites (e.g., job must be running) or when not to use it.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
captionC
Build caption imprints for a cut sheet from the source's words.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| style | No | A style slot name. null uses the settled finding. | |
| motion | No | Which caption renderer to use. 'still' draws a static block per caption; 'scene' highlights each word as it is spoken. | still |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description must carry the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It does not mention side effects, idempotency (despite the 'key' parameter), destructive potential, or auth requirements. The phrase 'Build caption imprints' hints at creation but lacks depth on behavior.
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, front-loaded sentence with zero waste. Every word contributes meaning, and it efficiently conveys the core purpose without padding.
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?
Given the tool has four parameters, no output schema, and no annotations, the description omits crucial details such as the meaning of 'caption imprints', the behavior of the 'motion' enum, or the format of the result. The agent would lack sufficient context to use the tool confidently.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds modest context by linking 'cut sheet' to the required 'sheet' parameter and 'source's words' to the tool's input, but it does not elaborate on the 'key', 'style', or 'motion' parameters beyond what the schema already provides.
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 the action ('Build') and resource ('caption imprints for a cut sheet from the source's words'), distinguishing it from sibling tools like 'preview' or 'watch' by focusing on imprint creation rather than viewing. However, the phrase 'caption imprints' is somewhat jargon-heavy and could be more universally understood.
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 (e.g., 'preview', 'hear', 'draft'). It neither specifies prerequisites nor warns against misuse, leaving the agent without context for choosing 'caption' over siblings.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
carveC
Cut a span of a master cut sheet out into its own clip sheet at a different delivery shape.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| sheet | Yes | The master cut sheet handle to carve from. | |
| profile | Yes | The clip's delivery profile name. | |
| subject | No | Which cached framing path to write into the clip: largest, centre, or none. | largest |
| in_ticks | Yes | First deliverable tick of the master kept. | |
| out_ticks | Yes | First deliverable tick of the master not kept. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It only describes the high-level operation without mentioning side effects, idempotency behavior, or what happens to the original master sheet. The schema includes a 'key' parameter for idempotency, but the description ignores this, leaving the agent uninformed about repeatable invocation.
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 of 14 words, front-loaded with the action verb and resource. It is efficient and contains no fluff. However, the extreme brevity sacrifices important context, preventing a higher score.
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?
Given the tool has 6 parameters (4 required), no output schema, and no annotations, the description is too minimal. It does not explain return values, prerequisites, or the effect of optional parameters like 'subject' and 'key'. An agent would lack sufficient information to invoke the tool correctly without inspecting the schema.
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?
Schema coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description does not add any meaning beyond the parameter names and schema descriptions. It does not explain 'profile' or 'subject' in the context of carving, nor does it clarify the relationship between 'in_ticks' and 'out_ticks'. No extra value is provided.
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 uses a specific verb ('Cut') and identifies the resource ('master cut sheet', 'clip sheet', 'delivery shape'). It clearly distinguishes from siblings like 'splice' (joining) and 'draft' (creating) by describing a unique extraction operation. However, the term 'delivery shape' is domain-specific and not explained, slightly reducing clarity.
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 explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'splice' or 'draft'. It does not state prerequisites, when-not-to-use, or mention the idempotency key's role in avoiding duplicate clips. The usage context is implied but not clarified.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
colourB
Decide the colour treatment for a cut sheet, including whether a transfer stage is inserted.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| look | No | A look slot name declared in the party's kit. Null uses the settled finding. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| target_range | No | sdr, hlg, or pq. | sdr |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description must disclose side effects and safety profile, but it only states that it decides colour treatment without indicating whether it modifies the cut sheet, requires permissions, or what the output is. The phrase 'including whether a transfer stage is inserted' hints at a possible mutation but is ambiguous.
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 that immediately states the verb and object, with no wasted words. However, it is under-specified, which is a completeness issue rather than a conciseness issue.
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 has four parameters with an enum and no output schema, requiring the description to explain return values and effects. The description does not cover what happens after the decision, what a 'transfer stage' is, or what the caller should expect, making the tool under-explained.
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?
All four parameters have schema descriptions (100% coverage), so the description itself adds no additional meaning to the parameters. The term 'cut sheet' aligns with the `sheet` parameter, but no deeper semantics are provided 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 uses the specific verb 'Decide' with the resource 'cut sheet' and mentions a key aspect (transfer stage insertion), making its function clear and distinct from sibling tools like apply or preview.
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?
No usage guidance is provided; the description does not mention when to use this tool over alternatives or any prerequisites/exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
deliverB
Encode and mux the finished deliverable for a cut sheet.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| motion | No | Which overlay renderer to use. null adopts whatever the sheet's caption job was built with, and 'still' otherwise. An explicit value that disagrees with the caption job refuses. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description bears full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It only states the core operation, omitting key traits such as whether the tool is asynchronous, idempotent (beyond the key parameter), destructive, or requires specific sheet states. The one-word 'finished' implies a prerequisite but does not elaborate on failure modes or side effects.
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, well-constructed sentence that front-loads the main action without filler. It earns a 4 for efficiency, though a second sentence elaborating on usage or behavior would have made it a 5.
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?
Given the tool has 3 parameters (one required), no output schema, and no annotations, the description is insufficiently complete. It fails to explain what the tool returns, whether it is synchronous, or what state the sheet must be in before calling. For a tool performing encoding and muxing—operations that could be slow or error-prone—this information is critical for correct invocation.
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?
Schema coverage is 100%—all three parameters (key, sheet, motion) already have clear descriptions in the schema. The tool description adds no additional meaning about parameter usage, constraints, or interactions. A baseline of 3 is appropriate since the description does not degrade understanding but also does not enhance it.
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 the tool's action with specific verbs ('encode and mux') and identifies the resource ('finished deliverable for a cut sheet'). This verb+resource combination is distinct from sibling tool names like 'inspect', 'draft', or 'preview', enabling an agent to differentiate it easily.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool vs alternatives. Siblings like 'preview' or 'verify' might be used before or after delivery, but the description does not mention prerequisites, sequencing, or conditions that would help an agent decide between them.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
draftC
Start a new cut sheet for a party from a source, a bookmark and a delivery profile.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| party | Yes | A party identifier — a directory under casebook/parties/. | |
| source | Yes | A source handle. | |
| profile | Yes | A delivery profile name. | |
| bookmark | Yes | A bookmark name. | |
| situation | No | The name of a situation block declared in that party's party.toml. | default |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral transparency. The description implies a state change ('start a new cut sheet'), but it doesn't disclose what this operation does beyond creation (e.g., does it write files? interact with an API? trigger a workflow?). It doesn't mention destructive potential or idempotency behavior (despite having a 'key' parameter). It is adequate but leaves many behavioral questions unanswered.
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 that names three key building blocks (source, bookmark, delivery profile). It is not verbose, but it is terse to the point of lacking important context. The sentence structure is straightforward but not front-loaded with enough clarifying detail. Some wasted opportunity exists because it could briefly explain the domain jargon without being much longer.
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?
There is no output schema, so the description could compensate but does not explain what the tool returns or how to use the result. With six parameters (four required), the description only briefly references three of them and does not cover 'key' or 'situation'. The sibling tools suggest a workflow (inspect, splice, verify, deliver) but the description does not position draft within that pipeline. Overall, the description feels incomplete for a tool that probably initiates a multi-step process.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds slight context by naming three parameters (source, bookmark, delivery profile) that are part of the tool's core inputs, but does not explain what these domain concepts mean or how they relate to each other. The 'party' parameter is mentioned in vague terms ('directory under casebook/parties/'), but the description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema. The 'key' parameter hint at idempotency but the description does not address it.
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 tells us the tool starts 'a new cut sheet for a party' given source, bookmark, and delivery profile, but it uses domain jargon ('cut sheet', 'bookmark', 'delivery profile') without explanation. Among sibling tools like inspect, splice, verify, deliver, it's not instantly clear what distinguishes 'draft' from other actions. The verb 'start' and noun 'cut sheet' provide a basic purpose, but the domain terms make it vague for a general AI agent.
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 siblings like splice, deliver, or verify. It doesn't mention prerequisites (e.g., must party exist? Must source be valid?), nor does it explain that the idempotency key is optional but recommended. The agent has no context for deciding to call draft over other tools in the set.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
hearA
Transcribe a source to words with timings, reading the result as text before anything encodes.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| tier | No | draft, local, or cloud. | local |
| source | Yes | A source handle. | |
| consent | No | Consent token. Required only when tier is cloud. | |
| language | No | BCP-47 tag, or auto. | auto |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description must disclose behavioral traits. It mentions 'reading the result as text before anything encodes' but does not explain what 'encodes' means, whether the operation is read-only, requires permissions, or has rate limits. Important behaviors like output format or side effects are missing.
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 that is front-loaded with the action and avoids redundancy. Every word serves a purpose with no wasted space.
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?
While the description explains the core transcription function, it omits details about the return format (how timings are represented), the role of 'tier' and 'consent', and does not compensate for the lack of an output schema. Given four parameters and no output schema, the description is not fully complete.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100% with minimal per-parameter descriptions (e.g., 'A source handle', 'draft, local, or cloud.'). The tool description adds meaning by stating the tool transcribes to words with timings and reads as text, enriching the context beyond the schema alone.
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 the tool transcribes a source to words with timings, using a specific verb ('transcribe') and resource (source). It also adds nuance about reading the result as text before encoding, which distinguishes it from siblings like 'caption'.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as 'caption', 'draft', or 'sound'. The description only states what it does without offering context on when it is appropriate or not.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
inspectC
Read a media file's shape and mint a source handle for it.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| path | Yes | Workspace-relative path to a media file. | |
| include | No | Extra maps to compute: any of 'quiet', 'loudness'. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It implies a read-like operation ('Read'), but also mentions 'mint a source handle', which suggests creating something (a handle) and may have side effects. The description does not disclose whether this operation is reversible, requires authentication, or has rate limits. The term 'mint' is ambiguous and could mislead an agent about the tool's side effects.
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 of moderate length, conveying the core purpose concisely. It is front-loaded and contains minimal redundancy. However, it could be slightly more compact by removing 'a media file's shape and' since 'Read a file' might suffice.
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?
Given that no output schema is provided, the description should clarify what a 'source handle' is and whether the tool returns it or something else. It also doesn't mention that 'include' is optional or what defaults apply. The tool has 18 siblings with various media actions (draft, splice, verify, etc.), but the description provides no context for how 'inspect' fits with those. The description is incomplete for a tool that mints a handle.
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 input schema already has high coverage (100%) with descriptions for both 'path' (workspace-relative path) and 'include' (extra maps to compute). The description does not add any additional semantics beyond the schema, so the baseline score of 3 is appropriate.
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 the tool's purpose: reading a media file's shape and minting a source handle. The verb 'Read' and noun 'media file' are specific, though the term 'shape' is somewhat vague. It distinguishes from siblings like 'inspect' (which is the tool itself) and 'stock', 'sound', 'colour' that likely deal with different aspects.
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 like 'draft', 'verify', or 'preview'. It does not mention any prerequisites (e.g., file existence, permissions) or exclusions (e.g., unsupported media types). The agent is left to infer context from the tool name alone.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
placeB
Place an element onto a cut sheet at a tick for a hold.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| fields | No | Values for the element's declared text slots. | |
| element | Yes | An element name from elements/. | |
| at_ticks | Yes | When it appears. | |
| hold_ticks | Yes | How long it stays. At least one frame in the sheet's cadence. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. The description implies a write/mutation operation ('Place an element') but does not state whether it is destructive, reversible, or requires specific permissions. It adds value by specifying placement constraints (at a tick, for a hold) but fails to disclose other essential behaviors like idempotency (though 'key' parameter hints at it) or effects on existing sheet elements.
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, focused sentence that states the core action without unnecessary detail. It could be improved by placing domain-specific terminology in a more front-loaded manner, but overall it is appropriately 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?
Given the complex domain (cut sheets, elements, ticks, holds) and lack of output schema, the description is partially complete. It explains the what, where, and when but omits return values or side effects. With no annotations and no output schema, more detail is warranted for a tool with 6 parameters and nested objects, especially to clarify the 'fields' object and idempotency behavior.
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 covers all parameters with descriptions (100% coverage), and the description complements this by explaining the domain-specific action for the main parameters ('at a tick' and 'for a hold'). However, the description does not clarify the 'fields' parameter syntax or the role of 'key', leaving some semantic gaps.
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 specifies the action ('Place an element'), the target ('onto a cut sheet'), and the conditions ('at a tick for a hold'). It distinguishes from siblings like 'splice' or 'draft' which suggest different operations. However, it does not differentiate from potential similar tools like 'apply', and lacks a verb-resource structure that fully clarifies domain-specific terms like 'element', 'cut sheet', 'tick', and 'hold'.
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 its siblings. With 17 siblings including tools like 'inspect', 'draft', and 'preview', an agent has no context for choosing 'place' over alternatives. There is no mention of prerequisites (e.g., must a sheet be created first?), exclusions, or typical use cases.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
previewC
Preview a bounded span of a cut sheet at a chosen rung.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| rung | No | Preview ladder rung: 1 h264_qsv, 2 libx264, 3 mpeg4. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| in_ticks | No | Start of the span to encode. | |
| out_ticks | No | End of the span. -1 means the whole sheet. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are present, so the description must disclose behavioral traits like read-only vs. mutation, side effects, or permissions. The description only states the action without mentioning whether 'preview' is a read operation, what it produces, or any state changes. This is a serious 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 a single, front-loaded sentence that efficiently communicates the core action with zero wasted words. Every part is meaningful.
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 has 4 parameters and no output schema, yet the description does not explain what preview produces (e.g., a video clip, thumbnail, or report), whether it modifies state, or what the output format is. Critical operational context is missing.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description echoes the parameter concepts (bounded span, rung) but does not add new semantic meaning beyond what the schema already provides. No additional context or constraints are introduced.
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 uses the verb 'Preview' and the resource 'bounded span of a cut sheet at a chosen rung', clearly indicating the action and target. However, given sibling tools like 'inspect', 'hear', and 'watch', it does not differentiate preview from those, so it misses the chance to clarify the unique purpose.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as 'inspect' or 'hear'. There are no explicit use cases, prerequisites, or exclusion criteria, leaving the agent without decision support.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
quoteB
Locate where something was said in a source, and get the tick range it was said in.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| text | No | Words to look for. Empty means everything in the range. | |
| limit | No | Maximum hits to return. | |
| source | Yes | A source handle. | |
| in_ticks | No | Start of the window to search. | |
| out_ticks | No | End of the window. -1 means end of source. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description should reveal behavior. It states what the tool does but does not disclose matching rules (case sensitivity, partial matches), error handling (e.g., text not found), or side effects. Returns tick range but format unspecified.
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, clear sentence with no wasted words. However, it could be slightly more structured (e.g., listing output) without becoming verbose.
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 tool with 5 parameters, no annotations, and no output schema, the description is too minimal. It fails to explain the return format, ordering of results, or behavior when no match is found – critical for correct agent invocation.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so each parameter already has a clear description. The tool description adds no additional meaning beyond what the schema provides – baseline 3 is appropriate.
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 uses a specific verb ('Locate') and resource ('something said in a source') and clearly states the output ('get the tick range'). This distinguishes it from sibling tools like 'hear' (listen) or 'caption' (transcribe).
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool vs. alternatives (e.g., 'hear' for listening, 'inspect' for metadata). No exclusions or prerequisites mentioned.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
soundC
Resolve the sound plan for a cut sheet: the music lane, its level, and the loudness target.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| music | No | An asset handle to place on the sound lane. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| target_loudness | No | A loudness target name from the delivery profile. | |
| music_level_millibel | No | Music level in millibel. Bounds are declared in code; an out-of-bounds value is refused, never clamped. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations exist, so the description must fully disclose behavioral traits. It only says 'resolve' without explaining what that entails (e.g., does it modify state? require authorization? revertible?). The presence of an idempotency key (key param) hints at safe retries, but this is neither stated nor elaborated. The description fails to clarify whether the tool is read-only or mutating, a critical 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?
A single, front-loaded sentence of 17 words. Every phrase ('resolve the sound plan', 'music lane', 'level', 'loudness target') directly contributes to understanding. No fluff or redundancy. Excellent conciseness for a tool with 5 parameters.
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?
Despite good parametric documentation in the schema, the description omits crucial details: what the tool returns (no output schema), the nature of 'resolve' (analysis vs. mutation), edge cases (e.g., out-of-bounds music level is refused, not clamped), and required permissions. For a tool with no annotations and moderate complexity, this brief description leaves an agent underinformed.
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?
Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description adds 'the music lane, its level, and the loudness target', which maps to music, music_level_millibel, and target_loudness, reinforcing their roles. However, it does not explain parameters beyond what the schema already states (e.g., 'key' for idempotency, 'sheet' as the cut sheet handle). No new semantic value is provided.
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 identifies the tool's purpose: resolving a sound plan for a cut sheet, specifying the music lane, its level, and loudness target. This distinguishes it from siblings like 'hear' or 'preview' which likely involve playback or review, not planning. However, the verb 'resolve' is somewhat vague—could mean compute, finalize, or apply—reducing precision.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'draft', 'apply', or 'hear'. The description implies use when setting up a sound plan, but does not state exclusions, prerequisites, or typical workflows. Without this, an agent may misuse the tool in contexts better served by a sibling.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
spliceC
Add a segment to the cut sheet, or amend an existing segment's edges.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| why | No | One line for the human reviewer. Never reaches pixels. | |
| cause | Yes | speech, manual, restored, or pad. | |
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. | |
| source | Yes | A source key from the sheet's sources[]. | |
| segment | No | When given, amend that segment instead of adding one. | |
| in_ticks | Yes | First deliverable tick kept (the body entry's in). | |
| out_ticks | Yes | First deliverable tick not kept (the body entry's out). | |
| source_in_ticks | Yes | Source tick where the kept range begins (pick.in); pick.out is derived. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only mentions adding or amending segments but omits critical behaviors such as idempotency (key parameter), error conditions (e.g., missing sheet or source), or the effect of the 'segment' parameter. The hint about 'why' never reaching pixels is a minor detail but insufficient overall.
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, front-loaded with the key actions. It is concise and avoids excess words, though it could be slightly more structured to separate the two modes (add vs. amend) for clarity.
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?
Given the tool's complexity (9 parameters, 6 required, no output schema, no annotations), the description is too brief. It does not explain what a 'cut sheet' is, what happens on success, error handling, or how the output is returned. The agent has insufficient context to use the tool correctly without additional knowledge.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents each parameter. The description adds minimal semantic value beyond the schema—it loosely maps 'amend' to the 'segment' parameter but does not elaborate on tick semantics or the relationship between parameters. The baseline of 3 is appropriate.
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 the action ('Add a segment' or 'amend an existing segment's edges') and the resource ('cut sheet'). It is specific and distinguishes the tool's purpose from generic operations, though it could benefit from clarifying what a 'cut sheet' is in the context of the sibling tools.
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 splice versus other tools like 'carve', 'stock', or 'sound'. There is no mention of prerequisites, alternatives, or contexts where this tool is appropriate or inappropriate.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
stockC
Search licensed third-party music and hits, and record the rights for one that fits.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| key | No | Idempotency key. | |
| kind | Yes | music, hit, footage, still or typeface. | |
| limit | No | Maximum candidates. | |
| terms | No | Search terms. | |
| acquire | No | A candidate id from a previous call. Downloads it and records its rights. | |
| refresh | No | Asset handles to re-capture terms for, or the single token '*'. | |
| seconds_min | No | Reject anything shorter, in whole seconds. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description bears full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It merely says 'search and record rights' without detailing side effects (e.g., that acquire downloads and creates a record, or that the tool is idempotent via the 'key' parameter). The schema descriptions fill some gaps, but the tool description itself lacks essential behavioral context.
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, front-loaded sentence of 14 words. It is concise and efficient, but it sacrifices precision and completeness for brevity. It could be slightly improved without losing conciseness, but it is not verbose.
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?
Given the tool's complexity (7 parameters, no output schema, no annotations), the description is too sparse. It fails to explain the search-then-acquire workflow, the role of the idempotency key, or the meaning of the 'refresh' and 'seconds_min' parameters. The description is inadequate for correctly invoking the tool in all scenarios.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100% (all 7 parameters have descriptions). The tool description adds minimal additional meaning beyond the schema – it maps 'search' to 'terms' and 'record rights' to 'acquire', but does not clarify other parameters like 'refresh', 'seconds_min', or 'kind'. Baseline 3 is appropriate given high schema coverage and limited added value from the description.
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 states 'Search licensed third-party music and hits, and record the rights for one that fits.' It identifies a verb+resource but is partially inaccurate: the schema allows searching footage, stills, and typefaces in addition to music and hits. The purpose is vaguely clear but not fully aligned with the tool's capabilities.
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?
No guidance is given on when to use this tool versus its many siblings (e.g., inspect, hear, preview). There is no mention of prerequisites, alternatives, or when not to use it. The description implies a search-and-acquire workflow but offers no explicit selection criteria.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
trialC
Find out what this machine can actually do, by test-encoding rather than by reading a feature list.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| what | No | Which surveys to run. | |
| force | No | Ignore the cached result and re-run the test encodes. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden. It mentions 'test-encoding' and cached results (via force param), but does not disclose side effects, performance characteristics, or what the tool actually runs internally. Minimal behavioral insight.
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?
Single sentence, no fluff. Front-loaded with action verb. Could be slightly more structured, but efficiency is good.
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?
No output schema and low parameter count (2, none required). Description does not explain return values or what 'surveys' are. For a discovery tool, it is moderately complete but leaves gaps for an AI agent to interpret correctly.
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?
Schema coverage is 100% (both parameters have descriptions in the input schema). The description adds the context of 'test-encoding' but does not provide additional semantics beyond what the schema already states. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
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 the tool's purpose is to discover machine capabilities via test-encoding rather than feature lists. It uses a specific verb ('find out') and resource ('capabilities'), but does not differentiate from sibling tools like 'inspect' or 'hear'.
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?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. The description implies it is for exploration, but does not specify when not to use it or provide alternative tool names for missing filtering functionality.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
verifyC
Run every gate against a cut sheet and report what passes and what blocks.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| sheet | Yes | A cut sheet handle. |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description carries full behavioral disclosure burden. It states the tool 'run[s] every gate' and reports pass/block status, but doesn't mention side effects (e.g., does it modify the sheet?), permissions needed, failure modes, or performance implications (e.g., is it expensive for many gates?).
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, clear sentence that efficiently communicates core purpose. Could arguably be more specific (e.g., defining 'gate'), but is not verbose or wasteful.
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?
Given 1 parameter with full schema coverage and no output schema, the description is adequate for basic use. However, given absence of annotations and output schema, the description could better explain what 'passes' vs 'blocks' means in the return format to compensate.
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 has 100% description coverage defining 'sheet' as 'A cut sheet handle', so the baseline is 3. The description doesn't add further parameter semantics (e.g., what a valid handle looks like), but the schema is sufficient for this single parameter.
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 uses specific verbs ('run every gate') and identifies the domain ('cut sheet'), clearly differentiating it from sibling tools like 'inspect' or 'draft'. However, it doesn't explain what a 'gate' is, which slightly reduces clarity for agents unfamiliar with the domain jargon.
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?
No explicit guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus siblings like 'inspect' (which might also analyze a sheet) or 'draft'. It implies verification use via 'report what passes and what blocks' but lacks exclusions or comparative context.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
watchB
Track shot changes and the subject through a source, producing a framing path.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| source | Yes | A source handle. | |
| subject | No | largest, centre, or none. | largest |
| out_shape | No | Target frame shape the path is planned for, as width:height. | 9:16 |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations provided, the description must fully disclose behavior. It states the tool tracks shot changes and framing path, implying analysis rather than output creation. However, it does not mention whether this tool modifies state, requires specific permissions, or what system constraints apply.
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 waste, front-loading the core action and output. It is appropriately succinct.
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?
Given the tool deals with framing paths and output shape, the absence of an output schema is notable. The description does not explain what 'framing path' means or what the tool returns, and the sibling tools list is large with no differentiation hints. The description lacks sufficient context for effective tool selection.
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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents all three parameters. The description mentions 'track shot changes and the subject' which implies the 'subject' and 'source' parameters but adds no extra detail beyond the schema. Baseline of 3 is appropriate.
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 uses specific verbs ('track shot changes and the subject') and a clear resource ('source'), producing a 'framing path'. While it distinguishes the tool's purpose, it could better differentiate from siblings like 'inspect' or 'hear' that might also analyze a source.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as 'inspect', 'hear', or 'preview'. The description does not mention non-use cases, context, or prerequisites.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
18 tool updates
v0.0.0- First observed
apply - First observed
cancel - First observed
caption - First observed
carve - First observed
colour - First observed
deliver - First observed
draft - First observed
hear - First observed
inspect - First observed
place - First observed
preview - First observed
quote - First observed
sound - First observed
splice - First observed
stock - First observed
trial - First observed
verify - First observed
watch
TDQS
Most tools have clearly distinct purposes (e.g., inspect reads media, draft starts a cut sheet, splice adds segments, hear transcribes). A few pairs like 'splice' and 'place' could be confused in the abstract, but descriptions differentiate them. Overall, an agent can reliably distinguish tools.
All tool names are single-word verbs in lowercase, following a highly consistent pattern. Names like 'splice', 'carve', and 'trial' are domain-appropriate and uniform, with no mixing of conventions.
18 tools cover a comprehensive media editing workflow—ingest, editing, verification, delivery, and auxiliary operations. The count feels well-scoped for the domain, with each tool serving a necessary function and no redundancy.
The toolset covers the core editing lifecycle well (from source intake to final delivery). Minor gaps exist, such as a lack of tools for deleting segments, managing sources, or listing projects, but these are not critical to the main editing flow.
Maintenance
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