verify_checksumCompare a caller-provided SHA-256 digest with the canonical digest declared in the public dataset machine index. This bounded check does not download or re-hash large artifact bytes.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| sha256 | Yes | ||
| dataset | Yes | Dataset family ID such as D02, or its catalog slug. | |
| filename | Yes |
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnly, idempotent, and non-destructive behavior, so the bar for extra disclosure is lower. The description adds valuable behavioral context beyond annotations by stating that the check is bounded and does not download or re-hash large artifact bytes, which helps agents understand cost and side effects.
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 tight sentences with no filler. The core comparison action is front-loaded, and the bounded/no-download behavior is stated immediately after, making the most decision-relevant information prominent.
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 verification tool with rich annotations, the description covers the operation, the data source, and a key performance characteristic. It does not describe the return value or mismatch behavior, but the tool name and 'verify' semantics make the expected outcome reasonably inferable.
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?
Schema description coverage is only 33%, so the description must compensate for undocumented parameters. It meaningfully clarifies sha256 as the caller-provided digest and dataset as being indexed in the public machine index, but filename semantics are still left implicit and not described in either the schema or the description.
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 states a specific verb and resource: compare a caller-provided SHA-256 digest against the canonical digest in the public dataset machine index. This clearly distinguishes the tool from sibling metadata, download, schema, and search tools, and the title reinforces the purpose.
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?
The description gives clear context for when to use this tool: for checksum verification without downloading or re-hashing artifact bytes. It does not explicitly name alternative tools or exclusion conditions, but the bounded nature of the check implies the intended use case clearly.
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.
Each tool targets a clearly distinct operation: catalog discovery (list/search), metadata retrieval, download URL retrieval, schema retrieval, and checksum verification. The only potential overlap is between metadata and download URL, but the descriptions make their boundaries explicit.
Tool names consistently follow a snake_case verb_noun pattern: get_*, list_datasets, search_datasets, verify_checksum. The naming style is uniform and every verb accurately reflects the action.
Six tools is a well-scoped set for a public dataset metadata and access server. Each tool covers a necessary step in the discovery-to-download workflow without redundancy.
The workflow is complete for the stated domain: discover datasets, inspect metadata and schema, obtain download URLs, and verify checksums. Direct dataset bytes are intentionally not proxied, so this is not a gap given the server's defined purpose.