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Books

by io.github.pipeworx-io
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Get Book

get_book
Read-onlyIdempotent

Fetch Open Library edition details for a book by ISBN-10 or ISBN-13. Returns title, publish_date, number_of_pages, subjects (up to 10), description, cover_url, and author_keys for follow-up get_author calls.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
isbnYesISBN-10 or ISBN-13

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
titleYesBook title
subjectsYesUp to 10 subject tags
cover_urlYesCover image URL
author_keysYesOpen Library author keys
descriptionYesBook description or summary
publish_dateYesPublication date
number_of_pagesYesNumber of pages

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

  1. Changed2 schema fields changed
    • addedInput schema / examples
      Added value: +[
+  {
+    "isbn": "9780451524935"
+  }
+]
    • changedOutput schema / (root)
      Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "author_keys": {
+      "description": "Open Library author keys",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "cover_url": {
+      "description": "Cover image URL",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "description": {
+      "description": "Book description or summary",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "number_of_pages": {
+      "description": "Number of pages",
+      "type": [
+        "number",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "publish_date": {
+      "description": "Publication date",
+      "type": [
+        "string",
+        "null"
+      ]
+    },
+    "subjects": {
+      "description": "Up to 10 subject tags",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "title": {
+      "description": "Book title",
+      "type": "string"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "title",
+    "publish_date",
+    "number_of_pages",
+    "subjects",
+    "description",
+    "cover_url",
+    "author_keys"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}
  2. Changed2 schema fields changed
    • removedInput schema / examples
      Removed value: -[
-  {
-    "id": 1342
-  }
-]
    • changedOutput schema / (root)
      Previous value: -{
-  "properties": {
-    "authors": {
-      "description": "List of book authors",
-      "items": {
-        "properties": {
-          "birth_year": {
-            "description": "Author birth year or null",
-            "type": [
-              "number",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "death_year": {
-            "description": "Author death year or null",
-            "type": [
-              "number",
-              "null"
-            ]
-          },
-          "name": {
-            "description": "Author name",
-            "type": "string"
-          }
-        },
-        "required": [
-          "name",
-          "birth_year",
-          "death_year"
-        ],
-        "type": "object"
-      },
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    "download_count": {
-      "description": "Number of downloads",
-      "type": "number"
-    },
-    "formats": {
-      "additionalProperties": {
-        "type": "string"
-      },
-      "description": "Available download formats and URLs",
-      "type": "object"
-    },
-    "id": {
-      "description": "Project Gutenberg book ID",
-      "type": "number"
-    },
-    "languages": {
-      "description": "Languages the book is available in",
-      "items": {
-        "type": "string"
-      },
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    "subjects": {
-      "description": "Subject tags for the book",
-      "items": {
-        "type": "string"
-      },
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    "title": {
-      "description": "Book title",
-      "type": "string"
-    }
-  },
-  "required": [
-    "id",
-    "title",
-    "authors",
-    "languages",
-    "subjects",
-    "download_count",
-    "formats"
-  ],
-  "type": "object"
-}New value: +null
  3. Changed1 schema field changed
    • changedOutput schema / (root)
      Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "properties": {
+    "authors": {
+      "description": "List of book authors",
+      "items": {
+        "properties": {
+          "birth_year": {
+            "description": "Author birth year or null",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "death_year": {
+            "description": "Author death year or null",
+            "type": [
+              "number",
+              "null"
+            ]
+          },
+          "name": {
+            "description": "Author name",
+            "type": "string"
+          }
+        },
+        "required": [
+          "name",
+          "birth_year",
+          "death_year"
+        ],
+        "type": "object"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "download_count": {
+      "description": "Number of downloads",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "formats": {
+      "additionalProperties": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "description": "Available download formats and URLs",
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "id": {
+      "description": "Project Gutenberg book ID",
+      "type": "number"
+    },
+    "languages": {
+      "description": "Languages the book is available in",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "subjects": {
+      "description": "Subject tags for the book",
+      "items": {
+        "type": "string"
+      },
+      "type": "array"
+    },
+    "title": {
+      "description": "Book title",
+      "type": "string"
+    }
+  },
+  "required": [
+    "id",
+    "title",
+    "authors",
+    "languages",
+    "subjects",
+    "download_count",
+    "formats"
+  ],
+  "type": "object"
+}
  4. Changed1 schema field changed
    • addedInput schema / examples
      Added value: +[
+  {
+    "id": 1342
+  }
+]
  5. First observed

TDQS

A4.3/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnly, idempotent, openWorld, and non-destructive behavior. The description adds transparency about the specific returned fields, the 'subjects (up to 10)' limit, and the chaining opportunity to get_author, which goes beyond the structured annotations and provides useful behavioral 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?

Two sentences, front-loaded with purpose, and every clause adds value: the lookup method, the input format, the returned fields, and a follow-up hint. No filler or redundancy.

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?

For a simple single-parameter fetch tool with strong annotations and an output schema, the description is complete. It states the input condition, the output highlights, and a relevant follow-up. Nothing essential is missing.

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

Parameters3/5

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

Schema coverage is 100%, and the single parameter 'isbn' is already described as 'ISBN-10 or ISBN-13'. The description repeats this without adding new format constraints, validation rules, or edge-case guidance, so it adds minimal value beyond the schema.

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 clearly states a specific verb ('Fetch'), a specific resource ('Open Library edition details'), and the exact lookup key (ISBN-10 or ISBN-13). It differentiates from siblings like get_book_work (edition vs. work) and search_books (fetch by identifier vs. search) by specifying the input and the returned fields.

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 gives clear context: use this tool when you have an ISBN and need edition-level metadata. It does not explicitly name alternatives or exclusion criteria, but the ISBN-focused scope strongly implies when it should be used. Mentioning author_keys for follow-up get_author calls adds practical guidance.

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

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