layer_infoGet an ArcGIS Feature/Map Service layer's schema by url: fields (name + type), geometry type, total record count, and capabilities.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| url | Yes | Feature/Map Service layer url, e.g. ".../FeatureServer/0". |
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already mark the operation as read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive. The description adds value by disclosing exactly what will be returned (fields, geometry type, record count, capabilities), which goes beyond the annotations and gives the agent a good sense of the tool's output.
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 a single, well-structured sentence that front-loads the core purpose and enumerates the return value details efficiently. Every word earns its place with no redundancy.
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 1-parameter tool with strong annotations, the description is complete: it states what the tool does, how it is invoked (by URL), and what information the agent can expect to receive. There is no output schema, but the description itself provides the necessary outcome details, making it sufficient for the agent to decide correct usage.
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 already provides a description of the url parameter with an example. The description's mention of 'by url' adds minimal semantic meaning beyond what the schema already provides, so the baseline of 3 is appropriate given 100% schema coverage.
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 ('Get') and a specific resource ('ArcGIS Feature/Map Service layer's schema'), and explicitly lists the key information returned. This clearly distinguishes it from sibling tools like query_layer, which presumably queries actual 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?
The phrase 'by url' clearly indicates that the tool requires a layer URL and is meant for retrieving schema metadata. It does not explicitly name alternatives or state when not to use it, but the context is reasonably clear given the described purpose.
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.
Several tools overlap heavily: ask_pipeworx, ask_pipeworx_beta, ask_pipeworx_grounded, deep_research, and validate_claim all route questions to similar data sources, and ask_pipeworx_beta is explicitly identical to ask_pipeworx right now. The many polymarket tools also blur together despite detailed descriptions.
Most names are snake_case, but there is no consistent verb_noun pattern: ask_pipeworx, bet_research, entity_profile, layer_info, pipeworx_trending, recent_changes, and validate_claim follow different stylistic conventions. The pattern is readable but feels like several naming vocabularies were merged.
34 tools is well over the comfortable range and most of them are unrelated to the apparent ArcGIS Johnson City purpose. Only search_datasets, layer_info, and query_layer actually serve GIS needs; the remaining 31 tools form a sprawling Pipeworx meta-platform bolted onto the same server.
The ArcGIS portion covers discover-schema-query reasonably well for read-only open data, and the Pipeworx side has broad coverage with subscriptions, memory, feedback, and research workflows. However, the surface is defined by two unrelated domains, making it hard to judge true completeness for any one stated purpose.