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Fetch URL as Text

fetch_url
Read-only

Fetch a public http(s) URL and return its main text content as plain text.

Input Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
urlYesThe http(s) URL to fetch. Private/loopback hosts are rejected.

Output Schema

NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
resultYes

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. First observed

TDQS

A3.6/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnly, openWorld, non-idempotent and non-destructive, so the safety profile is covered. The description usefully adds that output is the page's main text as plain text, but says nothing about redirects, non-HTML content, size limits, or rendering of dynamic pages — relevant for an open-world fetch. With annotations carrying the load, this is adequate but thin.

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?

One sentence, front-loaded with the action and scope, with no filler. Every clause (public, http(s), main text, plain text) carries information.

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 one-parameter tool with full annotations and an output schema, the description covers purpose, scope and return shape sufficiently. Remaining gaps (redirect handling, content-type behavior, size limits) are secondary but would matter for open-world fetches.

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 coverage is 100% and the single url parameter is fully documented in the schema, including that private/loopback hosts are rejected. The description's 'public http(s) URL' phrasing reinforces but does not extend that, so the schema is doing the work — baseline 3.

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 names a specific verb (fetch) and resource (public http(s) URL) and states the transformation applied (main text content as plain text). It is clear what the tool does, but it never names or contrasts with the sibling search_web, so an agent must infer the fetch-vs-search distinction.

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?

Usage is only implied: 'public http(s) URL' signals the eligibility constraint, but there is no explicit when-to-use guidance and no mention of search_web as the alternative for discovering URLs. An agent can guess the routing but is not told it.

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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