Building MCP tool catalogs for teams
Organize tools by business domain so every team ships with clarity and control.
Key Takeaways
- Tool catalogs make MCP tools discoverable and manageable.
- Clear naming and grouping improve agent tool selection.
- Catalog governance prevents over-exposure of tools.
- LegacyAI generates catalogs from OpenAPI specs.
Why tool catalogs matter
A tool catalog is the map an AI agent uses to understand what is available. Without a well-structured catalog, agents choose tools inconsistently and teams struggle to govern access.
Catalog design principles
- Use clear, action-oriented tool names.
- Group tools by business domain.
- Separate read-only and write tools.
- Provide short descriptions and examples.
Governance tips
Assign owners for each tool group and review catalogs regularly. This prevents drift and keeps tool permissions aligned with business needs.
FAQ
How many tools should a catalog have?
Start small. Too many tools can confuse agents. Expand only after validating usage.
Should tools be grouped by team or by function?
Group by business domain or workflow so the agent can find the right tool quickly.
Can I hide tools from certain teams?
Yes. Use scoped auth and tool toggles to control visibility.
How does LegacyAI build catalogs?
LegacyAI generates a catalog from your OpenAPI spec and lets you group or disable tools.
How often should catalogs be reviewed?
Review catalogs monthly or after major API changes.
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