A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive a request for an action. An action context is received where the action context includes an application requesting the action. A set of metadata is searched for metadata corresponding to the action, where the search is limited by the action context. Selected metadata for the action is inserted into a collection. The selected metadata is a result of searching the set of metadata. The selected metadata includes a reference to the set of executable instructions that implements the action and a description of the action. The collection is then returned.