Progressive Discovery

Implement layered MCP discovery with overview, category, and tool detail steps.

3|1|Updated Dec 31, 2025
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/standardbeagle/standardbeagle-tools --skill progressive-discovery
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Progressive Discovery
Source: https://github.com/standardbeagle/standardbeagle-tools/tree/main/plugins/mcp-architect/skills/progressive-discovery
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/standardbeagle/standardbeagle-tools --skill progressive-discovery

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Provides a scalable, guided approach to exposing MCP server capabilities, preventing user overwhelm by progressively revealing tools and documentation.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Layered discovery with a single entry point (info) that lists categories and counts.
  • Category and tool detail views to drill down into capabilities, usage patterns, and definitions.
  • Example workflows include overview → category → tool details and get_help-like deep dives for full documentation.

Quick Start

Request the info tool to display the overview, then drill into a specific category with info(category="Query Tools"), and finally call get_help("tool_name") for full documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions about Progressive Discovery

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I prevent user overload when exposing an MCP server with many tools?▼

Prevent MCP user overload by implementing progressive discovery, a pattern that reveals capabilities through layered guidance with a single entry point, category lists, and detailed tool documentation steps.

What is the best way to structure MCP discovery for scalable tool documentation?▼

Structure MCP discovery using a layered architecture that starts with an overview listing categories and counts, then drills into category-specific tool lists, and finally returns detailed tool documentation.

How do I implement progressive MCP discovery step by step?▼

Call the info tool for an overview, drill into a specific category using info(category="Query Tools"), and finally call get_help("tool_name") to retrieve full documentation for a specific MCP tool.

Can I use progressive discovery to return structured guidance for MCP servers with extra parameters?▼

Yes, progressive discovery tolerates extra parameters and returns structured guidance, ensuring the layered info and discovery pattern remains scalable for MCP servers with extensive tool sets.

When should I not use a single entry point for MCP tool discovery?▼

Avoid a single entry point for MCP discovery if your server exposes only a few tools, as the layered category and detail steps add unnecessary navigation overhead compared to direct tool access.