If a vendor ships a docs MCP (Microsoft Learn, Context7-style indexes), start there so you are not quoting stale memory.
If the docs only live in a GitHub repo, use a read-only repo query such as GitMCP. Do not dump the whole tree into context.
Use fetch or a browser only when the page is neither in a repo nor in an official index. Bound the call: outline first, body second.
Filter this site’s search and knowledge categories. If results blow the window, read the tool-result-size guide.