create-tool
Create xmcp Tool
You are helping the user create a new xmcp tool. Follow this interactive workflow.
Step 1: Gather Information
Before generating any code, ask the user these questions using AskUserQuestion:
-
Tool name (if not provided as argument): What should the tool be named? (Use kebab-case)
-
Handler type: Ask which handler type they need:
- Standard - For data queries, calculations, API calls (returns string/JSON)
- Template Literal (HTML) - For HTML widgets with external scripts
- React Component - For interactive stateful widgets (.tsx file)
-
Schema fields: What parameters should the tool accept? Ask for:
- Parameter name
- Type (string, number, boolean, enum, array, object)
- Description
- Whether it's optional
- Any validation rules
-
Annotations: Ask about behavior hints:
- Is it read-only? (doesn't modify environment)
- Is it destructive? (may delete or modify data)
- Is it idempotent? (repeated calls have same effect)
- Does it interact with external world? (openWorldHint)
-
Widget support (if Template Literal or React): Ask if they need:
- OpenAI tool invocation messages (invoking/invoked status)
- Widget accessibility (widgetAccessible)
- Widget-to-tool communication
Step 2: Generate the Tool
Create the tool file in src/tools/ with the appropriate extension:
.tsfor Standard and Template Literal handlers.tsxfor React Component handlers
File Location
src/tools/{tool-name}.ts # or .tsx for React
Tool Structure Reference
Every xmcp tool has three main exports:
// 1. Schema (optional) - Define parameters with Zod
export const schema = { /* ... */ };
// 2. Metadata (optional) - Tool configuration
export const metadata: ToolMetadata = { /* ... */ };
// 3. Handler (required) - Default export function
export default function handler(params) { /* ... */ }
Quick Reference
Essential Imports
import { z } from "zod";
import { type InferSchema, type ToolMetadata } from "xmcp";
Handler Types Summary
| Type | Use Case | File Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (string) | Simple queries, calculations | .ts |
| Standard (async) | API calls, database queries | .ts |
| Template Literal | HTML widgets, iframes, scripts | .ts |
| React Component | Interactive stateful UIs | .tsx |
| No Parameters | Tools that don't need input | .ts |
| With Extra Args | Auth/context-dependent tools | .ts |
Annotations Quick Reference
| Annotation | Use When |
|---|---|
readOnlyHint: true |
Tool doesn't modify environment |
destructiveHint: true |
Tool may delete/modify data |
idempotentHint: true |
Repeated calls have same effect |
openWorldHint: true |
Tool interacts with external world |
Detailed Templates
For complete code templates including:
- Schema patterns (simple, validation, enum, optional, object)
- Metadata patterns (basic, annotations, OpenAI widgets, MCP Apps UI)
- All handler type templates (A through G)
- Return value patterns
- Type imports reference
Read: references/templates.md
Checklist After Generation
- File created in
src/tools/{tool-name}.ts(or.tsx) - Schema uses
.describe()for all parameters - If using metadata, ensure it has descriptive
nameanddescription - Appropriate annotations set based on tool behavior
- Handler matches the chosen type
- All imports are correct
Suggest running pnpm build to verify the tool compiles correctly.
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