cortex_statusMemory health: per-source ingest and embed counts plus last sync times. Use when you need to know whether the memory is fresh or still ingesting, or when a search came back empty and you need to tell the user whether that means "no data yet" or "nothing matched".
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, non-destructive. The description adds the specific data returned (counts and sync times) and purpose (freshness check), which is helpful but not critical beyond annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two concise sentences: first defines the output, second gives usage cases. No unnecessary words, front-loaded with key info.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a zero-parameter, no-output-schema tool, the description fully explains what it returns and when to use it. Nothing is missing.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
No parameters exist, so schema coverage is 100%. The description doesn't need to add param info. Baseline 4 applies.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool provides memory health information: 'per-source ingest and embed counts plus last sync times'. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools by focusing on status rather than asking or recalling.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explicitly tells when to use: 'when you need to know whether the memory is fresh or still ingesting, or when a search came back empty'. This provides clear context and implies when not to use (e.g., for direct queries).
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Add one secure layer between your agents and this server.
There is significant overlap between cortex_ask, cortex_recall, and search, all of which retrieve from the user's memory. cortex_recall explicitly describes itself as a subset of cortex_ask, and search's description is nearly identical to cortex_ask's core function, making it hard for an agent to choose correctly. Other tools are more distinct, but this triple overlap creates real ambiguity.
The naming is inconsistent: memory tools are split between a cortex_* prefix (ask, recall, manifest, status, etc.) and bare fetch/search, with no clear rule for which gets the prefix. Within cortex_*, some are verbs (ask, recall, remember) and some are nouns (manifest, status, connectable_sources), and platform tools use get_/list_/search_ prefixes, resulting in a mixed and unpredictable naming pattern.
13 tools is a reasonable number for a server covering both memory operations and platform information. However, the presence of three overlapping retrieval tools (cortex_ask, cortex_recall, search) slightly inflates the count, suggesting some redundancy rather than each tool earning a unique place.
The server covers core workflows: reading memory (ask, search, recall, fetch, manifest), writing memory (remember, ingest_conversation), checking health (status), and accessing platform info (get_platform_status, get_pricing, list_skills, search_docs). Minor gaps include no explicit update/delete for individual memories and no direct tool to connect new sources (only listings of connectable ones), but these are often user-driven actions.