federal-regulations-mcp-server

regulations_get_docket

regulations_get_docket

Read-onlyIdempotent

Pull a rulemaking docket from Regulations.gov by docket ID (e.g. "EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194") — the docket's metadata (title, agency, RIN, abstract) and the documents filed in it (NPRM, final rule, supporting materials) — or read one document by document_id for its file download URLs and attachments, which a docket listing does not carry. Provide exactly one of docket_id / document_id. The docket is the folder holding a rule's whole paper trail; each returned document's objectId feeds regulations_find_comments. A docket often contains hundreds of supporting materials — find one with search_term, or filter document_types to "Proposed Rule"/"Rule" for the rule documents themselves. Requires REGULATIONS_GOV_API_KEY (free at https://api.data.gov/signup/); the Federal Register and eCFR tools work without it.

Tool call template

This tool declares no required parameters. Add optional parameters from the input schema as needed.

{
  "id": 1,
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "arguments": {},
    "name": "regulations_get_docket"
  }
}

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`page`	No	Page number (1–40, default 1). Regulations.gov serves 40 pages, so a docket listing reaches 40 × per_page documents (10,000 at per_page 250); totalPages and nextPage in the response say how far this one goes. Beyond that, narrow with search_term or document_types.
`per_page`	No	Documents per page (at least 5, default 25, capped at 250 with a notice). Regulations.gov requires a minimum page size of 5.
`docket_id`	No	List mode: Regulations.gov docket ID (e.g. "EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194"). Obtain from regulationsGovDocketId on a regulations_search_rules or regulations_list_open_comments row, or docketId from regulations_get_document. The printed docketIds on those tools are not always Regulations.gov IDs ("REG-101355-26" is the IRS's own number for docket IRS-2026-0925). Exactly one of docket_id / document_id.
`document_id`	No	Detail mode: one document by Regulations.gov document ID (e.g. "EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114-3084") — documentId from a docket listing, or regulationsGovDocumentId from regulations_get_document. Returns its download URLs and attachments. Pass it alone, without docket_id or the list filters.
`search_term`	No	List mode: keep only the docket's documents whose text matches, as Regulations.gov full-text search reads it, ranked by relevance instead of newest first. Combines with document_types.
`document_types`	No	List mode: filter the docket's documents to these types. Omit for all. A docket often contains hundreds of "Supporting & Related Material" items — filter to "Proposed Rule"/"Rule" to find the rule documents.

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description
`cap`	No	The most documents 40 pages reach at this per_page (40 × per_page); set with truncated.
`rin`	No	Regulation Identifier Number ("Not Assigned" when none), or null (list mode).
`mode`	No	Which mode produced this result: list (docket_id) or detail (document_id).
`error`	No	Present when the call failed. Absent on success.
`shown`	No	Documents returned on this page.
`title`	No	Docket title (list mode).
`notice`	No	Guidance when per_page was above its ceiling, no documents matched, the page is past the end, documents lie beyond the last page, or a document has no main file.
`abstract`	No	Docket abstract, or null (list mode).
`agencyId`	No	Agency ID (e.g. "EPA"), or null (list mode).
`docketId`	No	Regulations.gov docket ID (list mode).
`document`	No	One document with its download URLs and attachments (detail mode).
`nextPage`	No	Page to request next — present only when a later page holds documents.
`objectId`	No	Docket object ID, or null (list mode).
`documents`	No	Documents filed in the docket (this page; list mode). Download URLs require document_id detail mode.
`truncated`	No	True when the docket holds more documents than 40 pages reach at this per_page, so some are on no page — set on every page of such a docket.
`docketType`	No	Docket type (e.g. "Rulemaking"), or null (list mode).
`modifyDate`	No	Last-modified date, or null (list mode).
`totalPages`	No	Pages of documents at this per_page, at most the 40 Regulations.gov serves; 0 when there are none (list mode).
`documentCount`	No	Documents in the docket matching search_term and document_types, before pagination (list mode).

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed30 schema fields changedOct 29, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / docket_id / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "const": "",
+    "type": "string"
+  },
+  {
+    "description": "A docket ID.",
+    "pattern": "^[A-Za-z0-9_-]+$",
+    "type": "string"
+  }
+]

changedInput schema / properties / docket_id / description

Previous value: -"Regulations.gov docket ID (e.g. \"EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194\"). Obtain from regulationsGovDocketId on a regulations_search_rules or regulations_list_open_comments row, or docketId from regulations_get_document. The printed docketIds on those tools are not always Regulations.gov IDs (\"REG-101355-26\" is the IRS's own number for docket IRS-2026-0925)."New value: +"List mode: Regulations.gov docket ID (e.g. \"EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194\"). Obtain from regulationsGovDocketId on a regulations_search_rules or regulations_list_open_comments row, or docketId from regulations_get_document. The printed docketIds on those tools are not always Regulations.gov IDs (\"REG-101355-26\" is the IRS's own number for docket IRS-2026-0925). Exactly one of docket_id / document_id."

removedInput schema / properties / docket_id / pattern
```
Removed value: -"^[A-Za-z0-9_-]+$"
```
removedInput schema / properties / docket_id / type
```
Removed value: -"string"
```

addedInput schema / properties / document_id

Added value: +{
+  "anyOf": [
+    {
+      "const": "",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    {
+      "description": "A document ID.",
+      "pattern": "^[A-Za-z0-9_-]+$",
+      "type": "string"
+    }
+  ],
+  "description": "Detail mode: one document by Regulations.gov document ID (e.g. \"EPA-HQ-OW-2022-0114-3084\") — documentId from a docket listing, or regulationsGovDocumentId from regulations_get_document. Returns its download URLs and attachments. Pass it alone, without docket_id or the list filters."
+}

changedInput schema / properties / document_types / description

Previous value: -"Filter the docket's documents to these types. Omit for all. A docket often contains hundreds of \"Supporting & Related Material\" items — filter to \"Proposed Rule\"/\"Rule\" to find the rule documents."New value: +"List mode: filter the docket's documents to these types. Omit for all. A docket often contains hundreds of \"Supporting & Related Material\" items — filter to \"Proposed Rule\"/\"Rule\" to find the rule documents."

changedInput schema / properties / page / description

Previous value: -"Page number (1–40, default 1). Regulations.gov serves 40 pages, so a docket listing reaches 40 × per_page documents (10,000 at per_page 250); totalPages and nextPage in the response say how far this one goes. Beyond that, narrow with document_types."New value: +"Page number (1–40, default 1). Regulations.gov serves 40 pages, so a docket listing reaches 40 × per_page documents (10,000 at per_page 250); totalPages and nextPage in the response say how far this one goes. Beyond that, narrow with search_term or document_types."

changedInput schema / properties / per_page / description

Previous value: -"Documents per page (5–250, default 25). Regulations.gov requires a minimum page size of 5."New value: +"Documents per page (at least 5, default 25, capped at 250 with a notice). Regulations.gov requires a minimum page size of 5."

removedInput schema / properties / per_page / maximum
```
Removed value: -250
```
addedInput schema / properties / per_page / multipleOf
```
Added value: +1
```

changedInput schema / properties / per_page / type

Previous value: -"integer"New value: +"number"

addedInput schema / properties / search_term

Added value: +{
+  "description": "List mode: keep only the docket's documents whose text matches, as Regulations.gov full-text search reads it, ranked by relevance instead of newest first. Combines with document_types.",
+  "type": "string"
+}

removedInput schema / required
```
Removed value: -[
-  "docket_id"
-]
```

changedOutput schema / anyOf

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "not": {
-      "required": [
-        "error"
-      ]
-    },
-    "required": [
-      "docketId",
-      "title",
-      "docketType",
-      "agencyId",
-      "rin",
-      "abstract",
-      "modifyDate",
-      "objectId",
-      "documentCount",
-      "documents",
-      "totalPages"
-    ]
-  },
-  {
-    "required": [
-      "error"
-    ]
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "not": {
+      "required": [
+        "error"
+      ]
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "mode"
+    ]
+  },
+  {
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ]
+  }
+]

changedOutput schema / properties / abstract / description

Previous value: -"Docket abstract, or null."New value: +"Docket abstract, or null (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / agencyId / description

Previous value: -"Agency ID (e.g. \"EPA\"), or null."New value: +"Agency ID (e.g. \"EPA\"), or null (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / docketId / description

Previous value: -"Regulations.gov docket ID."New value: +"Regulations.gov docket ID (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / docketType / description

Previous value: -"Docket type (e.g. \"Rulemaking\"), or null."New value: +"Docket type (e.g. \"Rulemaking\"), or null (list mode)."

addedOutput schema / properties / document

Added value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": false,
+  "description": "One document with its download URLs and attachments (detail mode).",
+  "properties": {
+    "abstract": {
+      "description": "Document abstract, or null.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "attachments": {
+      "description": "Attachments in upload order, withheld ones included.",
+      "items": {
+        "additionalProperties": false,
+        "description": "One attachment with its available formats.",
+        "properties": {
+          "formats": {
+            "description": "Available file formats for the attachment; empty when the file is withheld.",
+            "items": {
+              "additionalProperties": false,
+              "description": "One downloadable file format.",
+              "properties": {
+                "fileUrl": {
+                  "description": "Download URL.",
+                  "type": "string"
+                },
+                "format": {
+                  "description": "File format (e.g. \"pdf\").",
+                  "type": "string"
+                },
+                "size": {
+                  "description": "File size in bytes, or null.",
+                  "type": [
+                    "number",
+                    "null"
+                  ]
+                }
+              },
+              "required": [
+                "format",
+                "fileUrl",
+                "size"
+              ],
+              "type": "object"
+            },
+            "type": "array"
+          },
+          "restrictReasonType": {
+            "description": "Why the file is withheld (e.g. \"Copyrighted\"), or null when Regulations.gov gives no reason.",
+            "type": [
+              "string",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "title": {
+            "description": "Attachment title.",
+            "type": "string"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "title",
+          "formats",
+          "restrictReasonType"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "docketId": {
+      "description": "Docket the document is filed in, or null.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "documentId": {
+      "description": "Regulations.gov document ID.",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "documentType": {
+      "description": "Document type (e.g. \"Supporting & Related Material\"), or null.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "fileFormats": {
+      "description": "The document's main file in each format; empty when it has none — the content may then be in its attachments.",
+      "items": {
+        "additionalProperties": false,
+        "description": "One downloadable file format.",
+        "properties": {
+          "fileUrl": {
+            "description": "Download URL.",
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "format": {
+            "description": "File format (e.g. \"pdf\").",
+            "type": "string"
+          },
+          "size": {
+            "description": "File size in bytes, or null.",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "format",
+          "fileUrl",
+          "size"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "frDocNum": {
+      "description": "Federal Register document number — chains back into regulations_get_document. Null when absent.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "objectId": {
+      "description": "Document object ID — chains into regulations_find_comments(document_object_id). Null when absent.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "pageCount": {
+      "description": "Pages in the document, or null when Regulations.gov counts none.",
+      "type": [
+        "number",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "postedDate": {
+      "description": "Posted date, or null.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "restrictReasonType": {
+      "description": "Why the document's content is withheld (e.g. \"Copyrighted\"), or null.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "title": {
+      "description": "Document title, or null.",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "withdrawn": {
+      "description": "True when the document was withdrawn; null when Regulations.gov does not say.",
+      "type": [
+        "boolean",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "documentId",
+    "docketId",
+    "title",
+    "documentType",
+    "postedDate",
+    "frDocNum",
+    "objectId",
+    "withdrawn",
+    "abstract",
+    "pageCount",
+    "fileFormats",
+    "attachments",
+    "restrictReasonType"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / documentCount / description

Previous value: -"Total documents in the docket (before pagination)."New value: +"Documents in the docket matching search_term and document_types, before pagination (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / documents / description

Previous value: -"Documents filed in the docket (this page)."New value: +"Documents filed in the docket (this page; list mode). Download URLs require document_id detail mode."

changedOutput schema / properties / error / properties / data / properties / reason / description

Previous value: -"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `auth_required`: REGULATIONS_GOV_API_KEY is not configured, or Regulations.gov rejected the key that is. `not_found`: No docket exists with that ID. `rate_limited`: Regulations.gov returned 429 (1,000 requests/hour per key). `upstream_unavailable`: Regulations.gov returned a 5xx, timed out, or could not be reached at all. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."New value: +"Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `auth_required`: REGULATIONS_GOV_API_KEY is not configured, or Regulations.gov rejected the key that is. `target_required`: Neither docket_id nor document_id was given. `multiple_targets`: Both docket_id and document_id were given. `filter_requires_list_mode`: search_term or document_types was given with document_id, which reads one document and takes no filters. `not_found`: No docket exists with that docket_id, or no document with that document_id. `rate_limited`: Regulations.gov returned 429 (1,000 requests/hour per key). `upstream_unavailable`: Regulations.gov returned a 5xx, timed out, or could not be reached at all. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler."

changedOutput schema / properties / error / properties / data / properties / reason / examples

Previous value: -[
-  "auth_required",
-  "not_found",
-  "rate_limited",
-  "upstream_unavailable"
-]New value: +[
+  "auth_required",
+  "target_required",
+  "multiple_targets",
+  "filter_requires_list_mode",
+  "not_found",
+  "rate_limited",
+  "upstream_unavailable"
+]

addedOutput schema / properties / mode

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Which mode produced this result: list (docket_id) or detail (document_id).",
+  "enum": [
+    "list",
+    "detail"
+  ],
+  "type": "string"
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / modifyDate / description

Previous value: -"Last-modified date, or null."New value: +"Last-modified date, or null (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / notice / description

Previous value: -"Guidance when the docket has no documents, when the page is past the end, or when documents lie beyond the last page."New value: +"Guidance when per_page was above its ceiling, no documents matched, the page is past the end, documents lie beyond the last page, or a document has no main file."

changedOutput schema / properties / objectId / description

Previous value: -"Docket object ID, or null."New value: +"Docket object ID, or null (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / rin / description

Previous value: -"Regulation Identifier Number (\"Not Assigned\" when none), or null."New value: +"Regulation Identifier Number (\"Not Assigned\" when none), or null (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / title / description

Previous value: -"Docket title."New value: +"Docket title (list mode)."

changedOutput schema / properties / totalPages / description

Previous value: -"Pages of documents at this per_page, at most the 40 Regulations.gov serves; 0 when there are none."New value: +"Pages of documents at this per_page, at most the 40 Regulations.gov serves; 0 when there are none (list mode)."

Changed4 schema fields changedSep 25, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / docket_id / description

Previous value: -"Regulations.gov docket ID (e.g. \"EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194\"). Obtain from a Federal Register document's docketId (regulations_get_document) or an agency rulemaking reference."New value: +"Regulations.gov docket ID (e.g. \"EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194\"). Obtain from regulationsGovDocketId on a regulations_search_rules or regulations_list_open_comments row, or docketId from regulations_get_document. The printed docketIds on those tools are not always Regulations.gov IDs (\"REG-101355-26\" is the IRS's own number for docket IRS-2026-0925)."

changedOutput schema / properties / documents / items / properties / commentEndDate / description

Previous value: -"Comment-period end date; when set, open for comment."New value: +"The UTC instant the comment period ends, or null. Periods end at 11:59 PM Eastern, so \"2023-05-31T03:59:59Z\" is the close date 2023-05-30 the Federal Register prints."

addedOutput schema / properties / documents / items / properties / commentPeriodOpen

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Whether the document is open for comment now, as Regulations.gov reports it (its openForComment); null when Regulations.gov doesn't say.",
+  "type": [
+    "boolean",
+    "null"
+  ]
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / documents / items / required

Previous value: -[
-  "documentId",
-  "objectId",
-  "title",
-  "documentType",
-  "postedDate",
-  "frDocNum",
-  "commentEndDate",
-  "withdrawn"
-]New value: +[
+  "documentId",
+  "objectId",
+  "title",
+  "documentType",
+  "postedDate",
+  "frDocNum",
+  "commentEndDate",
+  "commentPeriodOpen",
+  "withdrawn"
+]

Changed8 schema fields changedSep 25, 2026

changedInput schema / properties / page / description

Previous value: -"Page number (1-based). Regulations.gov caps a query at 20 pages (5,000 records); beyond that, narrow with document_types."New value: +"Page number (1–40, default 1). Regulations.gov serves 40 pages, so a docket listing reaches 40 × per_page documents (10,000 at per_page 250); totalPages and nextPage in the response say how far this one goes. Beyond that, narrow with document_types."

changedInput schema / properties / page / maximum
```
Previous value: -20New value: +40
```

changedOutput schema / anyOf

Previous value: -[
-  {
-    "not": {
-      "required": [
-        "error"
-      ]
-    },
-    "required": [
-      "docketId",
-      "title",
-      "docketType",
-      "agencyId",
-      "rin",
-      "abstract",
-      "modifyDate",
-      "objectId",
-      "documentCount",
-      "documents"
-    ]
-  },
-  {
-    "required": [
-      "error"
-    ]
-  }
-]New value: +[
+  {
+    "not": {
+      "required": [
+        "error"
+      ]
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "docketId",
+      "title",
+      "docketType",
+      "agencyId",
+      "rin",
+      "abstract",
+      "modifyDate",
+      "objectId",
+      "documentCount",
+      "documents",
+      "totalPages"
+    ]
+  },
+  {
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ]
+  }
+]

addedOutput schema / properties / cap

Added value: +{
+  "description": "The most documents 40 pages reach at this per_page (40 × per_page); set with truncated.",
+  "type": "number"
+}

addedOutput schema / properties / nextPage

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Page to request next — present only when a later page holds documents.",
+  "type": "number"
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / notice / description

Previous value: -"Guidance when the docket has no documents."New value: +"Guidance when the docket has no documents, when the page is past the end, or when documents lie beyond the last page."

addedOutput schema / properties / totalPages

Added value: +{
+  "description": "Pages of documents at this per_page, at most the 40 Regulations.gov serves; 0 when there are none.",
+  "type": "number"
+}

changedOutput schema / properties / truncated / description

Previous value: -"True when documentCount exceeds the returned set / 5,000 ceiling."New value: +"True when the docket holds more documents than 40 pages reach at this per_page, so some are on no page — set on every page of such a docket."

Changed16 schema fields changedSep 20, 2026

removedOutput schema / properties / abstract / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedOutput schema / properties / abstract / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / agencyId / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedOutput schema / properties / agencyId / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / docketType / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedOutput schema / properties / docketType / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```
removedOutput schema / properties / documents / items / properties / commentEndDate / anyOf
```
Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]
```
addedOutput schema / properties / documents / items / properties / commentEndDate / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / documents / items / properties / frDocNum / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedOutput schema / properties / documents / items / properties / frDocNum / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / modifyDate / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedOutput schema / properties / modifyDate / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / objectId / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedOutput schema / properties / objectId / type
```
Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / properties / rin / anyOf

Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "type": "string"
-  },
-  {
-    "type": "null"
-  }
-]

addedOutput schema / properties / rin / type

Added value: +[
+  "string",
+  "null"
+]

Changed6 schema fields changedAug 22, 2026

changedInput schema / $schema

Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"

addedInput schema / additionalProperties
```
Added value: +false
```

changedOutput schema / $schema

Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"

addedOutput schema / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "not": {
+      "required": [
+        "error"
+      ]
+    },
+    "required": [
+      "docketId",
+      "title",
+      "docketType",
+      "agencyId",
+      "rin",
+      "abstract",
+      "modifyDate",
+      "objectId",
+      "documentCount",
+      "documents"
+    ]
+  },
+  {
+    "required": [
+      "error"
+    ]
+  }
+]

addedOutput schema / properties / error

Added value: +{
+  "additionalProperties": {},
+  "description": "Present when the call failed. Absent on success.",
+  "properties": {
+    "code": {
+      "description": "JSON-RPC error code for this failure.",
+      "maximum": 9007199254740991,
+      "minimum": -9007199254740991,
+      "type": "integer"
+    },
+    "data": {
+      "additionalProperties": {},
+      "properties": {
+        "reason": {
+          "description": "Machine-readable failure mode. Declared by this tool: `auth_required`: REGULATIONS_GOV_API_KEY is not configured, or Regulations.gov rejected the key that is. `not_found`: No docket exists with that ID. `rate_limited`: Regulations.gov returned 429 (1,000 requests/hour per key). `upstream_unavailable`: Regulations.gov returned a 5xx, timed out, or could not be reached at all. Other values are possible when a failure originates below the handler.",
+          "examples": [
+            "auth_required",
+            "not_found",
+            "rate_limited",
+            "upstream_unavailable"
+          ],
+          "type": "string"
+        },
+        "recovery": {
+          "additionalProperties": {},
+          "description": "Actionable next step for the caller.",
+          "properties": {
+            "hint": {
+              "type": "string"
+            }
+          },
+          "required": [
+            "hint"
+          ],
+          "type": "object"
+        },
+        "retryable": {
+          "description": "Whether retrying may succeed.",
+          "type": "boolean"
+        }
+      },
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "message": {
+      "description": "Human-readable description of what went wrong.",
+      "type": "string"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "code",
+    "message"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}

removedOutput schema / required

Removed value: -[
-  "docketId",
-  "title",
-  "docketType",
-  "agencyId",
-  "rin",
-  "abstract",
-  "modifyDate",
-  "objectId",
-  "documentCount",
-  "documents"
-]

First observedJun 16, 2026

TDQS

A4.8/5.0

Behavior5/5

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

Beyond readOnly/idempotent annotations, it discloses the API-key requirement, pagination ceiling, per_page bounds, and the practical implication of large dockets with hundreds of supporting materials. It also flags that document objectIds feed regulations_find_comments, adding useful workflow context.

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 dense but front-loaded, starting with the core action and then adding mode selection, filtering, and auth details. Every sentence contributes operational guidance for a complex dual-mode tool.

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?

Given the presence of an output schema, the description provides everything else an agent needs: mode selection, parameter pitfalls, auth, pagination limits, and filtering strategy. Nothing material is missing for correct invocation.

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?

Schema coverage is already 100%, but the description adds real semantic value: it distinguishes list-mode docket_id from detail-mode document_id and warns that printed docket IDs are not always Regulations.gov IDs. It also explains search_term ranking and document_types filtering beyond the schema text.

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 states a specific verb and resource, clearly splitting docket listing from single-document detail mode. It distinguishes itself from siblings by explaining that documents feed regulations_find_comments and that docket and document IDs come from other regulations tools.

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?

It gives explicit operating modes and the exact-one-of docket_id/document_id rule, plus guidance on search_term and document_types for large dockets. It names related tools and API-key requirements, but does not fully spell out when an agent should prefer this tool over every sibling such as regulations_get_document.

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

All federal-regulations-mcp-server tools Inspect

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