list_subscriptionsList the caller's active subscriptions. Returns id, type, params, created_at, last_fired_at, fire_count for each. Use this to review what you're monitoring before adding more or to find an id to cancel.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| include_inactive | No | Include cancelled subscriptions in the response (default false). |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint=false, establishing safety. The description adds valuable behavioral context by specifying the exact return fields and the default behavior of listing only active subscriptions, going beyond the annotations.
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 core purpose, and every sentence adds value—return fields and usage guidance. No filler or 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 list tool with one optional parameter and no output schema, the description fully covers the purpose, return structure, and practical use cases. The annotations address safety and idempotence, leaving no significant gaps.
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 includes a full description for the only parameter (include_inactive), so schema coverage is 100%. The description does not add additional parameter semantics beyond the schema, though it reinforces the active-only default. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
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 clearly states 'List the caller's active subscriptions' with a specific verb, resource, and scope. It also lists the returned fields, making the tool's function unambiguous and distinct from sibling tools like subscribe and unsubscribe.
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 provides explicit usage scenarios: 'review what you're monitoring before adding more' and 'find an id to cancel.' However, it does not name alternatives or provide when-not guidance, so it lacks the explicit exclusion criteria required for a 5.
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, discover_tools, and suggest_questions all serve queries, with ask_pipeworx_beta explicitly identical to ask_pipeworx. Prediction-market tools (polymarket_edges, polymarket_arbitrage, polymarket_fill_risk, bet_research, etc.) also have unclear boundaries, making tool selection tricky for an agent.
Tool names are consistently lowercase snake_case with a mostly verb-first pattern (get_work, search_works, list_subscriptions, validate_claim). Minor deviations exist: some names are noun-first (entity_profile, recent_changes) and prefixes vary (get/search/list/ask/scan), but the overall convention is predictable and readable.
34 tools is far too many for a server named 'crossref', and only three tools actually relate to Crossref. The rest form a sprawling utility belt covering data routing, memory, subscriptions, prediction markets, AI visibility, and npm scanning — a scope mismatch that makes the server feel like a kitchen sink rather than a focused offering.
The Crossref-specific surface is thin: search_works, get_work, and get_journal cover discovery and metadata but lack citation lookup, author search, and funder information. The broader Pipeworx surface is extensive but has no unifying domain, so it's impossible to consider the overall toolset complete for any coherent purpose.