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Hacker News Search

hn_search
Read-only

Search Hacker News stories and comments via the Algolia HN API: title, URL, author, points, comment count, timestamp and HN discussion link; sort by relevance or date, optional tag filter (story, comment, ask_hn, show_hn). Pay per call with USDC or USDT on Base via x402. 3 free calls per wallet.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
tagsNoAlgolia tags, e.g. story, ask_hn, show_hn, comment.
queryYesSearch phrase.
walletNoYour EVM wallet address (0x...). Unlocks the free tier (3 free calls per wallet).
api_keyNoOptional AMR enterprise API key.
sort_byNorelevance (default) or date.
x_paymentNoOptional signed x402 payment payload (base64 JSON) for USDC/USDT on Base.
max_resultsNo1-50 (default 10).

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
hitsYes
queryYes
tokenNoToken actually used for payment (USDC, USDT or FREE).USDC
sourceYes
routingYesHow the request was routed (provider, fallback, cache, latency).
sort_byYes
cost_usdcYesPrice charged in stablecoin units (USDC/USDT 1:1); 0 on the free tier.
hit_countYes
fetched_atNoUTC timestamp when the data was fetched.
total_hitsYes
freshness_secondsYesAge of the underlying data in seconds (0 = fetched live).
x_payment_responseNoBase64-encoded x402 settlement receipt (mirrors the X-PAYMENT-RESPONSE header). Only present when the call was paid with `x_payment`.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed1 schema field changed
    • changedOutput schema / (root)
      Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
      +  "description": "Response for ``POST /hn-search``.",
      +  "properties": {
      +    "cost_usdc": {
      +      "description": "Price charged in stablecoin units (USDC/USDT 1:1); 0 on the free tier.",
      +      "title": "Cost Usdc",
      +      "type": "number"
      +    },
      +    "fetched_at": {
      +      "description": "UTC timestamp when the data was fetched.",
      +      "format": "date-time",
      +      "title": "Fetched At",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "freshness_seconds": {
      +      "description": "Age of the underlying data in seconds (0 = fetched live).",
      +      "title": "Freshness Seconds",
      +      "type": "integer"
      +    },
      +    "hit_count": {
      +      "title": "Hit Count",
      +      "type": "integer"
      +    },
      +    "hits": {
      +      "items": {
      +        "properties": {
      +          "author": {
      +            "anyOf": [
      +              {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              {
      +                "type": "null"
      +              }
      +            ],
      +            "default": null,
      +            "title": "Author"
      +          },
      +          "created_at": {
      +            "anyOf": [
      +              {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              {
      +                "type": "null"
      +              }
      +            ],
      +            "default": null,
      +            "title": "Created At"
      +          },
      +          "num_comments": {
      +            "anyOf": [
      +              {
      +                "type": "integer"
      +              },
      +              {
      +                "type": "null"
      +              }
      +            ],
      +            "default": null,
      +            "title": "Num Comments"
      +          },
      +          "object_id": {
      +            "title": "Object Id",
      +            "type": "string"
      +          },
      +          "points": {
      +            "anyOf": [
      +              {
      +                "type": "integer"
      +              },
      +              {
      +                "type": "null"
      +              }
      +            ],
      +            "default": null,
      +            "title": "Points"
      +          },
      +          "story_text": {
      +            "anyOf": [
      +              {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              {
      +                "type": "null"
      +              }
      +            ],
      +            "default": null,
      +            "title": "Story Text"
      +          },
      +          "story_url": {
      +            "title": "Story Url",
      +            "type": "string"
      +          },
      +          "title": {
      +            "anyOf": [
      +              {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              {
      +                "type": "null"
      +              }
      +            ],
      +            "default": null,
      +            "title": "Title"
      +          },
      +          "type": {
      +            "title": "Type",
      +            "type": "string"
      +          },
      +          "url": {
      +            "anyOf": [
      +              {
      +                "type": "string"
      +              },
      +              {
      +                "type": "null"
      +              }
      +            ],
      +            "default": null,
      +            "title": "Url"
      +          }
      +        },
      +        "required": [
      +          "object_id",
      +          "type",
      +          "story_url"
      +        ],
      +        "title": "HnHit",
      +        "type": "object"
      +      },
      +      "title": "Hits",
      +      "type": "array"
      +    },
      +    "query": {
      +      "title": "Query",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "routing": {
      +      "description": "How the request was routed (provider, fallback, cache, latency).",
      +      "properties": {
      +        "cache_hit": {
      +          "default": false,
      +          "description": "True if the result was served from cache.",
      +          "title": "Cache Hit",
      +          "type": "boolean"
      +        },
      +        "fallback_used": {
      +          "default": false,
      +          "description": "True if the primary provider failed and a fallback served the result.",
      +          "title": "Fallback Used",
      +          "type": "boolean"
      +        },
      +        "latency_ms": {
      +          "default": 0,
      +          "description": "End-to-end routing latency in milliseconds.",
      +          "title": "Latency Ms",
      +          "type": "integer"
      +        },
      +        "provider": {
      +          "description": "Name of the upstream provider that served the result.",
      +          "title": "Provider",
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        "providers_tried": {
      +          "description": "Providers attempted, in order.",
      +          "items": {
      +            "type": "string"
      +          },
      +          "title": "Providers Tried",
      +          "type": "array"
      +        }
      +      },
      +      "required": [
      +        "provider"
      +      ],
      +      "title": "RoutingMeta",
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "sort_by": {
      +      "title": "Sort By",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "source": {
      +      "title": "Source",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "token": {
      +      "default": "USDC",
      +      "description": "Token actually used for payment (USDC, USDT or FREE).",
      +      "title": "Token",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "total_hits": {
      +      "title": "Total Hits",
      +      "type": "integer"
      +    },
      +    "x_payment_response": {
      +      "description": "Base64-encoded x402 settlement receipt (mirrors the X-PAYMENT-RESPONSE header). Only present when the call was paid with `x_payment`.",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    }
      +  },
      +  "required": [
      +    "freshness_seconds",
      +    "cost_usdc",
      +    "routing",
      +    "query",
      +    "sort_by",
      +    "hits",
      +    "hit_count",
      +    "total_hits",
      +    "source"
      +  ],
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
  2. Changed4 schema fields changed
    • addedInput schema / properties / max_results / default
      Added value: +10
    • addedInput schema / properties / max_results / maximum
      Added value: +50
    • addedInput schema / properties / max_results / minimum
      Added value: +1
    • changedInput schema / properties / wallet / description
      Previous value: -"Your EVM wallet address (0x...). Unlocks the free tier (3 calls per wallet)."New value: +"Your EVM wallet address (0x...). Unlocks the free tier (3 free calls per wallet)."
  3. Added

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations (readOnlyHint=true, openWorldHint=true) already cover read-only and open-world behavior. The description adds the payment model (pay per call via x402 with USDC/USDT on Base, 3 free calls per wallet) and the sort/tag options, which are behavioral details beyond the schema. No contradictions with annotations.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

The description is concise, with the core purpose first, followed by return fields, sorting, tags, and payment info. It is front-loaded and free of redundant language, though it could be tightened slightly by merging the payment sentence. Overall well-structured.

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?

With an output schema present, return values are covered. The description explains purpose, main features, sorting, and payment, which is sufficient for a search tool. Missing explicit usage guidance and any note on error behavior, but these are minor given the simplicity of the operation.

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 each parameter is already documented. The description mentions sort_by and tags but does not add new semantics beyond the schema's own descriptions. It reinforces the free-tier detail for the wallet parameter, but that is behavioral rather than parameter-specific. Baseline 3 is appropriate.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The description clearly states it searches Hacker News stories and comments, lists the returned fields (title, URL, author, points, etc.), and specifies sorting and tag filters. It is specific to HN and distinct from siblings like news_search or reddit_search by naming the exact resource and API.

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 description implies usage for HN searches but does not explicitly contrast with alternatives or state when not to use it. It lacks guidance like 'use for HN content; for general news use news_search.' The context is clear enough that an agent could infer it, but explicit exclusions are absent.

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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