search_gamesFind games by title to compare current prices across stores. Returns cheapest price, deal ID, and availability info for price tracking.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | Maximum number of results to return (default: 10) | |
| query | Yes | Game title to search for |
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| games | Yes | ||
| total | Yes | Total number of games returned |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
Input schema / examplesAdded value: +[
+ {
+ "query": "Baldur's Gate 3"
+ },
+ {
+ "limit": 5,
+ "query": "Cyberpunk 2077"
+ }
+]Output schema / (root)Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+ "properties": {
+ "games": {
+ "items": {
+ "properties": {
+ "cheapest_deal_id": {
+ "description": "Deal ID for the cheapest price offer",
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "cheapest_price": {
+ "description": "Lowest current price across all stores in USD",
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "game_id": {
+ "description": "CheapShark game ID",
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "thumb": {
+ "description": "Thumbnail image URL",
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "title": {
+ "description": "Game title",
+ "type": "string"
+ }
+ },
+ "required": [
+ "game_id",
+ "title",
+ "cheapest_price",
+ "cheapest_deal_id",
+ "thumb"
+ ],
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ "total": {
+ "description": "Total number of games returned",
+ "type": "number"
+ }
+ },
+ "required": [
+ "total",
+ "games"
+ ],
+ "type": "object"
+}Input schema / examplesRemoved value: -[
- {
- "limit": 10,
- "name": "Catan"
- },
- {
- "name": "Ticket to Ride"
- }
-]Output schema / (root)Previous value: -{
- "properties": {
- "count": {
- "description": "Total number of games matching the search",
- "type": "number"
- },
- "games": {
- "items": {
- "properties": {
- "average_user_rating": {
- "description": "Average user rating",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "description": {
- "description": "Preview of the game description",
- "type": [
- "string",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "id": {
- "description": "Board Game Atlas game ID",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "image_url": {
- "description": "Full-size image URL",
- "type": [
- "string",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "max_players": {
- "description": "Maximum number of players",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "max_playtime": {
- "description": "Maximum playtime in minutes",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "min_age": {
- "description": "Minimum recommended age",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "min_players": {
- "description": "Minimum number of players",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "min_playtime": {
- "description": "Minimum playtime in minutes",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "msrp": {
- "description": "Manufacturer suggested retail price",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "name": {
- "description": "Game name",
- "type": "string"
- },
- "num_user_ratings": {
- "description": "Number of user ratings",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "price": {
- "description": "Current price",
- "type": [
- "string",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "primary_designer": {
- "description": "Primary designer name",
- "type": [
- "string",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "primary_publisher": {
- "description": "Primary publisher name",
- "type": [
- "string",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "rank": {
- "description": "Overall rank",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "thumb_url": {
- "description": "Thumbnail image URL",
- "type": [
- "string",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "trending_rank": {
- "description": "Trending rank",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "url": {
- "description": "Board Game Atlas URL for the game",
- "type": [
- "string",
- "null"
- ]
- },
- "year_published": {
- "description": "Year the game was published",
- "type": [
- "number",
- "null"
- ]
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "id",
- "name",
- "year_published",
- "min_players",
- "max_players",
- "min_playtime",
- "max_playtime",
- "min_age",
- "description",
- "image_url",
- "thumb_url",
- "url",
- "price",
- "msrp",
- "average_user_rating",
- "num_user_ratings",
- "rank",
- "trending_rank",
- "primary_publisher",
- "primary_designer"
- ],
- "type": "object"
- },
- "type": "array"
- }
- },
- "required": [
- "count",
- "games"
- ],
- "type": "object"
-}New value: +nullOutput schema / (root)Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+ "properties": {
+ "count": {
+ "description": "Total number of games matching the search",
+ "type": "number"
+ },
+ "games": {
+ "items": {
+ "properties": {
+ "average_user_rating": {
+ "description": "Average user rating",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "description": {
+ "description": "Preview of the game description",
+ "type": [
+ "string",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "id": {
+ "description": "Board Game Atlas game ID",
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "image_url": {
+ "description": "Full-size image URL",
+ "type": [
+ "string",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "max_players": {
+ "description": "Maximum number of players",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "max_playtime": {
+ "description": "Maximum playtime in minutes",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "min_age": {
+ "description": "Minimum recommended age",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "min_players": {
+ "description": "Minimum number of players",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "min_playtime": {
+ "description": "Minimum playtime in minutes",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "msrp": {
+ "description": "Manufacturer suggested retail price",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "name": {
+ "description": "Game name",
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "num_user_ratings": {
+ "description": "Number of user ratings",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "price": {
+ "description": "Current price",
+ "type": [
+ "string",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "primary_designer": {
+ "description": "Primary designer name",
+ "type": [
+ "string",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "primary_publisher": {
+ "description": "Primary publisher name",
+ "type": [
+ "string",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "rank": {
+ "description": "Overall rank",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "thumb_url": {
+ "description": "Thumbnail image URL",
+ "type": [
+ "string",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "trending_rank": {
+ "description": "Trending rank",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "url": {
+ "description": "Board Game Atlas URL for the game",
+ "type": [
+ "string",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ },
+ "year_published": {
+ "description": "Year the game was published",
+ "type": [
+ "number",
+ "null"
+ ]
+ }
+ },
+ "required": [
+ "id",
+ "name",
+ "year_published",
+ "min_players",
+ "max_players",
+ "min_playtime",
+ "max_playtime",
+ "min_age",
+ "description",
+ "image_url",
+ "thumb_url",
+ "url",
+ "price",
+ "msrp",
+ "average_user_rating",
+ "num_user_ratings",
+ "rank",
+ "trending_rank",
+ "primary_publisher",
+ "primary_designer"
+ ],
+ "type": "object"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ }
+ },
+ "required": [
+ "count",
+ "games"
+ ],
+ "type": "object"
+}Input schema / examplesAdded value: +[
+ {
+ "limit": 10,
+ "name": "Catan"
+ },
+ {
+ "name": "Ticket to Ride"
+ }
+]Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive behavior. The description adds transparency by specifying the return values (cheapest price, deal ID, availability info) and the cross-store scope, which is not covered by 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 a single, concise sentence that front-loads the primary purpose and includes key return information. Every word adds value 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 search tool with two parameters and an output schema, the description covers the main purpose and return details. It lacks explicit alternative usage or special behaviors, but the schema and annotations fill most 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?
Schema coverage is 100%, so the parameters are fully documented in the schema. The description adds no additional meaning beyond confirming that 'query' is a game title; 'limit' is not mentioned, but its meaning is already clear from the schema.
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 the verb ('Find'), the resource ('games by title'), and the purpose ('compare current prices across stores'). It distinguishes itself from siblings like search_deals and get_game_details by focusing on title-based search for price comparison.
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 implies when to use the tool (when you need to find games and compare prices), but it does not explicitly mention when not to use it or provide alternatives. No direct references to sibling tools or exclusionary 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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