box

name	box
description	Work with Box content via the Box MCP server. Use when the user needs to search, read, upload, or organize files in Box, run Box AI queries, or extract structured metadata. This skill covers best-practice workflow patterns — it does not replicate tool documentation.

Box MCP Skill

The Box MCP server exposes tools for content management, search, AI, hubs, collaboration, and document generation. The MCP schema already describes each tool's parameters, so this skill focuses on how to use them well.

Mandatory guardrails live in .cursor/rules/box.mdc. That file covers confirmation gates for destructive actions, hub modifications, file comments, Doc Gen output locations, externally shared folders, content display preferences, and Box AI governance. This skill does not duplicate those rules — read and follow them in every session.

Search

• When the user refers to a folder by name, use search_folders_by_name first to resolve the folder ID, then scope subsequent file searches to that folder.
• Prefer search_files_metadata over keyword search when the user's query maps to known metadata fields or templates — it returns more precise results.

File writes

• When uploading new files with upload_file, prefer writing to a dedicated output folder rather than the root or the same folder as source files. Ask the user where to place output if it isn't obvious.

Metadata and structured extraction

• Prefer ai_extract_structured over ai_extract_freeform when a metadata template exists. Check for available templates first (e.g., via context or prior results) and infer the best match. Only ask the user if no template can be determined. Always tell the user which template was selected.
• When extracting from multiple files, process them in batches and summarize results clearly — don't dump raw JSON unless asked.
• Use ai_extract_structured_from_fields_enhanced when the user needs custom field definitions without a pre-existing template.

Box AI

• Use get_file_content to retrieve file content.
• Use ai_qa_single_file for questions about one document, ai_qa_multi_file for cross-file analysis, and ai_qa_hub when the user has an existing hub.
• Box AI responses include citations — surface them when possible so the user can verify answers.

General guidelines

• Call who_am_i at the start of a session if you need to verify permissions or identify the authenticated user.
• When listing folder contents, paginate if needed and summarize large directories rather than printing every item.
• Prefer reading file details with get_file_details before operating on a file — it confirms the file exists and shows current state.
• For exploratory or demo usage, prefer working within a dedicated folder rather than operating across the user's entire Box account.
• Avoid granting or assuming broad enterprise-wide access. Default to least-privilege — only access the folders and files the task requires.