Fetches latest FRED economic indicators: Fed funds rate, CPI, unemployment rate, GDP growth. Cache TTL 1h. Use when the agent needs current US macro indicators. For deeper macro (treasury yields, forex, commodities, indices) use tf_premium_macro.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, and idempotentHint. The description adds operational transparency with cache TTL (1 hour), which informs data freshness expectations, and notes the source (FRED). This goes beyond the structured annotations without contradiction.
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?
The description is two sentences, front-loaded with the tool's purpose, then cache TTL, then usage guidance. Every sentence earns its place with no redundancy or filler.
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, read-only tool with no parameters, the description is complete: it lists the data returned, states the use case, provides an alternative for broader needs, and discloses caching behavior. No output schema is needed because the indicators are enumerated.
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?
The input schema has zero parameters, so the baseline is 4. The description adds useful context about the return contents (specific indicators), which compensates for the lack of parameter documentation.
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?
The description uses a specific verb ('fetches') and resource ('FRED economic indicators') and lists the exact indicators (Fed funds rate, CPI, unemployment rate, GDP growth). It explicitly distinguishes itself from the sibling tf_premium_macro, which covers deeper macro data.
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?
Provides explicit when-to-use guidance: 'Use when the agent needs current US macro indicators.' It also names the alternative tool for deeper macro needs (treasury yields, forex, commodities, indices). This is clear and actionable.
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.
Most tools have clearly distinct purposes (e.g., tf_btc_price vs tf_fear_greed), but there is some overlap between free and premium aggregated tools (e.g., tf_briefing, tf_premium_briefing, tf_premium_agent_context). However, descriptions explicitly differentiate them by content and cost.
All tools follow a consistent pattern: 'tf_' prefix (with 'tf_premium_' for premium ones) and snake_case. Names are descriptive and predictable, e.g., tf_btc_price, tf_earthquakes, tf_premium_macro.
27 tools is on the high side, but the server covers a broad domain (crypto, finance, earthquakes, AI trends, payment system, etc.). Each tool serves a specific purpose, so the count is borderline acceptable but feels slightly heavy.
The tool surface covers a wide range of data feeds: crypto, forex, macro indicators, earthquakes, HN, HuggingFace, prediction markets, payment system, and service status. Minor gaps exist (e.g., no dedicated stock prices tool beyond premium macro, no weather), but overall it's comprehensive for a terminal feed.
