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Get Topic Hub

get_topic_hub

Read-onlyIdempotent

Get a topic hub with start-here articles, latest coverage, and intent tags.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`topic`	Yes	Topic slug
`agent_id`	No	Optional persistent agent identifier. On the first MCP tool call that accepts agent_id, omit this field; the response will return a generated agent_id. Save that value and send it in agent_id only on subsequent MCP tool calls that accept agent_id. Never add agent_id to ask_expert or tat_ask. Any stable string is accepted.

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`text`	No	Present when the tool returns a text-only response.
`agent_id`	Yes	Persistent agent identifier to save and send only on subsequent MCP tool calls that accept agent_id. Never add agent_id to ask_expert or tat_ask.
`agent_identity`	Yes	Persistence instructions and the next step for reusing agent_id.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed2 schema fields changedSep 23, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / agent_id / description

Previous value: -"Optional persistent agent identifier. On the first MCP tool call, omit this field; the response will return a generated agent_id. Save that value and send it in agent_id on every subsequent MCP tool call. Any stable string is accepted."New value: +"Optional persistent agent identifier. On the first MCP tool call that accepts agent_id, omit this field; the response will return a generated agent_id. Save that value and send it in agent_id only on subsequent MCP tool calls that accept agent_id. Never add agent_id to ask_expert or tat_ask. Any stable string is accepted."

changedOutput schema / properties / agent_id / description

Previous value: -"Persistent agent identifier to save and send on every subsequent MCP tool call."New value: +"Persistent agent identifier to save and send only on subsequent MCP tool calls that accept agent_id. Never add agent_id to ask_expert or tat_ask."

Changed4 schema fields changedAug 2, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / agent_id

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Optional persistent agent identifier. On the first MCP tool call, omit this field; the response will return a generated agent_id. Save that value and send it in agent_id on every subsequent MCP tool call. Any stable string is accepted.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / agent_id

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Persistent agent identifier to save and send on every subsequent MCP tool call.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / agent_identity

Added value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": true,
+  "description": "Persistence instructions and the next step for reusing agent_id.",
+  "type": "object"
+}

addedOutput schema / required

Added value: +[
+  "agent_id",
+  "agent_identity"
+]

First observedMay 11, 2026

TDQS

A3.6/5.0

Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, which covers the safety profile. The description adds what the hub contains but does not disclose behavioral details such as how 'latest coverage' is scoped or whether the topic must be an exact slug.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single front-loaded sentence with no filler. Every phrase contributes useful information about what the tool returns.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

For a simple, read-only, idempotent tool with one required parameter and an output schema, the description plus the annotations provide enough context to invoke it correctly. It falls just short of full completeness because it offers no guidance on how this tool relates to sibling topic/article tools.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents both topic and agent_id. The description adds no parameter-specific semantic value but does not need to given that coverage.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description uses a specific verb and resource ('Get a topic hub') and enumerates the hub's contents (start-here articles, latest coverage, intent tags), so an agent knows what to expect. It does not explicitly differentiate from siblings like get_latest_articles or list_topics, but 'topic hub' is a distinct enough resource.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The intended use is implied by the name and description: to fetch a topic hub. However, there is no explicit guidance about when to prefer this over alternatives such as get_latest_articles, get_section_articles, or get_related_articles.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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