Signal Oracle

DepWatch — dependency change preview

depwatch_preview

Read-only

Free preview of breaking changes / new releases for a software dependency. Pass an npm/PyPI package (resolved and fetched live if not already tracked) or a GitHub repo (owner/repo). Returns up to 5 recent changes plus the package's current version. Full history, significance filtering, and the LLM brief are paid via x402.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description
`repo`	No	GitHub owner/repo, e.g. 'facebook/react'
`since`	No	ISO-8601 instant; only changes detected after this
`package`	No	npm or PyPI package name, e.g. 'lodash' or 'react'

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
`hint`	No
`tier`	No
`error`	No
`entity`	No
`source`	No
`changes`	No
`upgrade`	No
`question`	No
`previewCount`	No

TDQS

A4.8/5.0

Behavior5/5

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

Annotations declare readOnlyHint=true and openWorldHint=true. The description aligns by noting data is 'resolved and fetched live if not already tracked', explaining side effects. It also details return content (up to 5 recent changes, current version) and paid limitations, adding full transparency.

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?

Three sentences front-loading purpose, inputs, and output. Every sentence earns its place with no fluff.

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

Completeness5/5

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

Covers all necessary aspects: inputs, outputs (up to 5 changes, version), behavior (live fetch), and limitations (paid features). Output schema exists so detailed return structure is available externally.

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

Parameters5/5

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

Input schema has 100% parameter descriptions. The description adds value by explaining that package and repo are alternatives (mutually exclusive) and clarifying the since parameter as ISO-8601 filter. This enriches schema information.

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?

Description clearly states it provides a free preview of breaking changes/new releases for software dependencies. It specifies inputs (npm/PyPI package or GitHub repo) and distinguishes itself from sibling preview tools by focusing on dependency changes.

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

Usage Guidelines4/5

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

The description indicates when to use the tool (for a free preview of dependency changes) and contrasts with paid full history but does not explicitly state when not to use or compare with similar tools like packagehealth_preview. However, sibling tools cover different domains, so context is clear.

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

All Signal Oracle tools Inspect

Try in Browser

RayrunBuild, deploy, and operate MCP servers without becoming an infrastructure team.ray.runAd

Glama MCP Gateway

Add one secure layer between your agents and this server.

TDQS

A4/5.0

Disambiguation4/5

Most tools target distinct areas (dependency changes, package health, regulatory actions, tariffs, vendor risk), but `preview_feed` is a generic preview that can overlap with the specific preview tools (e.g., `depwatch_preview`), potentially confusing an agent's tool selection.

Naming Consistency3/5

Tool names follow a mix of patterns: most use the suffix `_preview` (e.g., `depwatch_preview`, `regwatch_preview`), but `list_feeds` uses a verb prefix. Additionally, `depwatch` and `tariffwatch` use 'watch' while `packagehealth` does not, introducing inconsistency.

Tool Count5/5

Seven tools is an appropriate number for a monitoring service covering multiple categories (dependencies, health, regulatory, tariffs, vendor risk) without being overwhelming or insufficient.

Completeness2/5

The free tool set only provides previews (up to 5 items) and a listing of feeds, lacking full functionality for detailed queries, history, or actionable results. Users hit a dead end if they need complete data, which is a significant gap.

Resources

Need Help?