Tool Search applies progressive discovery to a large tool catalog. Instead of inserting every MCP tool’s complete JSON schema and description into the initial context, Claude receives limited discovery information and loads the full definitions only when a task requires them. This preserves the available context for instructions, repository content, conversation history, and tool results without removing the underlying capabilities.
Anthropic’s Claude Code documentation states that Tool Search keeps MCP context usage low by deferring tool definitions until Claude needs them. Only the tools actually selected enter the working context. Claude Code MCP Tool Search
Anthropic’s advanced-tool-use guidance also describes conventional multi-server configurations consuming tens of thousands of tokens before work begins, while on-demand discovery substantially reduces that overhead. Advanced Tool Use
Option B solves context pressure by destroying required functionality. Option C worsens the constraint by adding more prompt tokens. Option D expands the exact source of context bloat.
The team should also improve server and tool descriptions so discovery returns the correct tools, monitor tool-selection quality, and keep frequently required foundational tools non-deferred only when evaluations justify the additional context cost.
Study Guide references/topics: MCP scaling; Tool Search; progressive discovery; deferred schemas; context-budget management; tool-selection accuracy.
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