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 and idempotentHint, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds value by specifying the scope ('caller's active subscriptions') and enumerating the returned fields (id, type, params, etc.), which is useful since there is no output schema. No contradictions.
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 with no wasted words. It front-loads the main purpose, then provides return fields and usage guidance—everything listed earns its place.
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?
Given that this is a simple list tool with one optional parameter and no output schema, the description fully covers what the tool returns, the scope of results, and when to use it. The sibling tools and annotations provide additional context without needing further elaboration.
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 single parameter include_inactive is fully described in the schema (100% coverage), so the description doesn't need to add parameter details. The phrase 'active subscriptions' softly relates to the parameter but doesn't enrich the schema meaning beyond baseline.
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', providing a specific verb and resource. It gives the return fields, but does not explicitly distinguish from sibling tools like subscribe/unsubscribe, though the read vs. write distinction is implicit.
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?
It offers clear context: 'Use this to review what you're monitoring before adding more or to find an id to cancel.' This tells when to use the tool but does not explicitly address when not to use it or name alternatives.
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.
Many tools have heavily overlapping purposes: ask_pipeworx, ask_pipeworx_beta, ask_pipeworx_grounded, deep_research, discover_tools, and suggest_questions all serve lookup/discovery in similar ways, and the five polymarket_* tools plus bet_research blur together. The six genuinely GovInfo-specific tools are distinct, but an agent would struggle to pick between the numerous meta and market tools, especially when the server is supposed to be about government information.
Most tools follow a readable verb_noun pattern (list_collections, search_packages, get_granule, resolve_entity), but there are deviations: domain-prefixed nouns like polymarket_arbitrage, noun-ish names like pipeworx_trending, and verb phrases like ask_pipeworx_beta or generate_llms_txt. Overall it is mixed yet still navigable, not chaotic.
36 tools is excessive for a server named Govinfo: only about six tools (list_collections, search_packages, get_package, list_granules, get_granule, search_within) actually serve that domain, while the remaining ~30 are Pipeworx meta-tools, prediction-market helpers, memory utilities, and AI-visibility checks. The count is bloated relative to the apparent scope and dilutes the server's identity.
The core GovInfo workflow is present — list collections, search packages, fetch package metadata, list and fetch granules, and semantically search within fetched text. However, there is no tool that directly downloads or returns the full text/PDF/XML content of a package or granule; agents only get links, so a full-document workflow requires an external fetch. The unrelated tools do not fill that gap and instead distract from the domain.