US Federal Register document by document number: title, agencies, document type, publication date and effective date. $0.005 per call via x402 (USDC on Base); response includes a provenance chain and an Ed25519 attestation.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | Yes | ||
| payment | No | Encoded x402 X-PAYMENT header value. Omit to receive the payment requirements (free quote). |
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the burden. It discloses a concrete per-call cost, the x402/USDC payment channel, and non-obvious response elements (provenance chain, Ed25519 attestation). It does not explicitly state read-only semantics, but 'lookup'/document retrieval makes it evident.
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 sentences with no filler; the resource and returned fields come first, and payment/attestation details are packed into the second sentence. Every clause adds information.
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 simple lookup with no output schema and no annotations, it covers the required inputs, output fields, cost, and response extras. The main omission is the lack of a concrete id format/example, but schema maxLength and the phrase 'document number' are enough for basic invocation.
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?
Schema covers payment, and the tool description adds that id is a document number, which is the core missing meaning for the required parameter. It stops short of specifying document number format or examples, so it only partially compensates for the 50% schema coverage.
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?
Identifies a specific resource (US Federal Register documents) and a lookup verb, and enumerates the key fields returned (title, agencies, document type, dates). It does not explicitly differentiate itself from sibling lookup tools, but the Federal Register scope is distinct enough.
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?
No guidance on when to choose this tool over alternatives or when not to use it. The 'by document number' phrase implies an access path, but there is no mention of exclusions or related tools for other document types.
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.
Each tool targets a unique dataset and operation: lookups by ID, summary aggregations, time series, or search. Even tools with similar descriptors (e.g., FMRArea lookup vs. search, FDA vs. CPSC recalls) are clearly separated by resource and output type.
All tool names are lowercase snake_case and mostly follow a `domain_resource_kind` pattern such as `fda_recall_lookup` and `cpsc_recall_monthly_summary`. A few outliers like `bank_profile_lite`, `cpi_us_monthly`, and `us_debt_to_penny` break the dominant suffix convention but remain readable.
24 tools is on the high side for a single server, but this appears to be an aggregator of many independent public datasets, so each tool represents a distinct data source and has a purpose. It is slightly above the ideal ergonomic range but not bloated or redundant.
As a read-only attested-data lookup service, the set provides good coverage with both point lookups and aggregate summaries across many domains. The main gaps are the lack of a catalog/discovery endpoint and search support for most identifier-based lookups, but agents can work around those with known identifiers.