MCP server providing seamless access to Apple Developer Documentation with smart search and wildcard support
The server provides 6 well-structured tools with explicit JSON Schema definitions and clear descriptions. All tools have proper naming (verb-prefixed), descriptions between 54-196 characters, and documented input schemas. However, there are notable gaps: (1) Missing output schema documentation, while tools return structured responses, the response shape is not documented in tool definitions, forcing LLMs to infer response structure; (2) Parameter descriptions lack specificity about formats, ranges, and constraints, e.g., 'query' in discover_technologies has no guidance on max length, special characters, or matching behavior; (3) No error handling guidance, tools do not document failure modes or recovery paths; (4) Tool descriptions lack context about when to use each tool vs. alternatives (e.g., when to use search_symbols vs. get_documentation); (5) No tool annotations (readOnlyHint, idempotentHint) despite all tools being read-only operations. All tools are well-named and have descriptions, placing this in the 'Fair' to 'Good' range, but missing documentation conventions cost points.
Select the framework/technology to scope all subsequent searches and documentation lookups
Report the currently selected technology and how to change it
Explore and filter available Apple technologies/frameworks before choosing one
Get detailed documentation for specific symbols within the selected technology. Use this for known symbol names or paths (e.g., "View", "ButtonStyle", "documentation/SwiftUI/GridItem").
Get the current version information of the Apple Doc MCP server
Search the selected technology with symbol-first results. Exact symbol names are resolved directly when possible, wildcard queries support * and ?, and broader keyword searches return symbols first with articles and guides listed separately.
No output schema documentation. Tools return structured responses (array of {text, type} objects), but the response shape is not documented in tool definitions. LLMs must infer what fields to expect and cannot plan downstream tool calls with confidence.
Missing parameter constraints and format guidance. Parameters like 'query' (discover_technologies, search_symbols), 'path' (get_documentation), and 'identifier' (choose_technology) lack descriptions of acceptable length, special characters, exact vs. wildcard matching, and error behavior. The 'pageSize' parameter in discover_technologies mentions 'max 100' but no minimum.
| Scored | Grade | Overall | Spec posture | Rubric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-22 | C | 60 | 2026-07-28+ | v2 |
| 2026-03-09 | C | 62 | - | v1 |
No tool annotations despite deterministic, read-only semantics. All 6 tools are read-only operations with deterministic behavior (idempotent). Missing readOnlyHint and idempotentHint annotations mean clients cannot optimize caching, deduplication, or execution order.
No error handling guidance or recovery hints. Tools do not document failure modes (e.g., technology not found, invalid symbol path, network timeout). When a tool fails, LLMs have no guidance on whether to retry, call an alternative tool, or ask the user.
Missing tool disambiguation context. Descriptions do not explain when to use search_symbols vs. get_documentation, or when choose_technology vs. get_version is relevant. This forces LLMs to waste reasoning cycles and risks tool misselection.