modelcontextprotocol / modelcontextprotocol/python-sdk
Expose `schema_generator` on `FastMCP` for tool params schema generation
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Description
Description
Context
Tool.from_function (in src/mcp/server/fastmcp/tools/base.py) generates the
tool parameters JSON schema via:
parameters = func_arg_metadata.arg_model.model_json_schema(by_alias=True)
This is hardcoded — no way for users to customize the generation. Pydantic 2.11+
supports union_format='primitive_type_array' which produces compact
LLM-friendly schemas like {"type": ["integer", "string"]} instead of
{"anyOf": [...]}. There's no path to enable it without monkey-patching or
post-processing.
Proposal
Add schema_generator: type[GenerateJsonSchema] | None = None to FastMCP.__init__.
When provided, plumb it to both model_json_schema calls:
# tools/base.py
parameters = func_arg_metadata.arg_model.model_json_schema(
by_alias=True,
schema_generator=self.schema_generator or GenerateJsonSchema,
)
# utilities/func_metadata.py
schema = model.model_json_schema(
schema_generator=self.schema_generator or StrictJsonSchema,
)
Use case
from pydantic.json_schema import GenerateJsonSchema
class CompactUnionGen(GenerateJsonSchema):
def __init__(self, by_alias=True, ref_template='#/$defs/{model}'):
super().__init__(
by_alias=by_alias,
ref_template=ref_template,
union_format='primitive_type_array',
)
mcp = FastMCP("srv", schema_generator=CompactUnionGen)
Tradeoff to discuss
func_metadata.py currently uses StrictJsonSchema (warnings → errors). With a
user-supplied generator, strict semantics are lost unless the user extends
StrictJsonSchema themselves. Proposed resolution: document that custom
generators should extend StrictJsonSchema if strict output validation is
desired.
Backward compat
Default None preserves current behavior exactly.
References
No response
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
Start with src/mcp/server/fastmcp/tools/base.py and utilities/func_metadata.py, then trace how FastMCP.init values reach the two model_json_schema calls. The change is done when an optional schema_generator reaches both paths, defaults preserve current behavior, and the strict-schema tradeoff is documented or covered as proposed.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- python
- Domain
- backend-api-design
- Issue type
- Feature
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 55/100