The MCP surface is exactly nine control tools. They are the stable interface over a catalog that can grow independently:

| Tool | Purpose | Charges money? |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [`search_tools`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/search_tools) | Find a provider-neutral job and its catalog tools. | No |
| [`inspect_tool`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/inspect_tool) | Read one selected catalog tool's live contract. | No |
| [`run_tool`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/run_tool) | Execute one catalog tool and settle its charge. | Yes |
| [`get_run`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/get_run) | Read an existing run, its result, artifacts and cost. | No |
| [`get_wallet`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/get_wallet) | Read balance, holds and available spend. | No |
| [`list_apps`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/list_apps) | Check which human-connected apps are available and ready. | No |
| [`get_files`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/get_files) | List files, renew reference URLs and check storage usage. | No |
| [`upload_file`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/upload_file) | Import a reference or prepare a browser/CLI upload. | No |
| [`delete_file`](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/delete_file) | Permanently delete an authorised workspace file. | No |

## The normal loop

```text
search_tools → inspect_tool → list_apps (when relevant) → run_tool → get_run → get_wallet
```

Use `tool_id` returned by `search_tools` for inspection and execution, and the returned `run_id` for retrieval. The retired MCP and CLI names are not aliases. HTTP keeps resource paths; see [transports](https://scrollport.com/docs/reference/transports).

## What is not a control tool

Categories, capabilities, providers and catalog tools are catalog data. `list_apps` reports readiness, but connection approval and management remain human dashboard actions. Skills are agent-side recipes. None becomes another MCP tool.

Check [list_apps](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/list_apps) when a workflow depends on a connected account, start with [search_tools](https://scrollport.com/docs/control-tools/search_tools) for catalog work, or follow the [manual tool walkthrough](https://scrollport.com/docs/guides/first-run) when you need the explicit sequence.