tool-selection

Tool Selection Rubric

When evaluating tool selection in agent traces:

1. MCP Over Bash

If a Databricks MCP tool exists for the operation, the agent MUST use it:

• SQL queries → mcp__databricks__execute_sql (not Bash + databricks sql)
• File uploads → mcp__databricks__upload_to_volume (not Bash + databricks fs cp)
• Job management → mcp__databricks__create_job, mcp__databricks__run_job (not REST API via curl)
• Cluster ops → mcp__databricks__create_cluster (not CLI via Bash)
• Workspace files → mcp__databricks__workspace_get_object (not Bash + databricks workspace export)

2. Correct Tool for Task

• SQL execution → execute_sql (not notebook execution)
• Reading docs → Read tool (not fetching via curl)
• File creation → Write tool for local, volume upload for remote
• Schema inspection → execute_sql with DESCRIBE or SHOW (not list_tables for column details)