Fix release workflow: clarify MCP tool call syntax to prevent agent bypass#12613
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Fix release workflow: clarify MCP tool call syntax to prevent agent bypass#12613
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Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>
The agent was not calling the update_release MCP tool because the example
syntax was ambiguous. Changed from `update_release({...})` to the explicit
`safeoutputs/update_release(...)` format used in other workflows.
This should help the agent understand it needs to make a direct MCP tool
call rather than writing scripts or files manually.
Also added stronger warnings against creating workaround scripts.
Co-authored-by: pelikhan <4175913+pelikhan@users.noreply.github.com>
Copilot
AI
changed the title
[WIP] Investigate why MCP safe outputs update release tool was not called
Fix release workflow: clarify MCP tool call syntax to prevent agent bypass
Jan 29, 2026
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In workflow run #21493451678, the Copilot agent never called the
update_releaseMCP tool. MCP logs show only atools/listrequest, notools/call. Agent created a workaround script to manually write JSONL but never executed it, leaving/opt/gh-aw/safeoutputs/outputs.jsonlempty.Root cause: Ambiguous JavaScript-like syntax
update_release({...})in the prompt led the agent to interpret it as needing a script workaround rather than a direct MCP tool call.Changes
update_release({...})tosafeoutputs/update_release(...)matching the proven format inissue-monster.mdrelease.lock.ymlwith updated promptBefore:
After:
The explicit
server/toolformat removes ambiguity about whether this is a function call requiring implementation vs a direct MCP tool invocation.Original prompt
💡 You can make Copilot smarter by setting up custom instructions, customizing its development environment and configuring Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. Learn more Copilot coding agent tips in the docs.