Current time in a named IANA timezone.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| url | No | HTTPS URL to normalize or cite | |
| host | No | Public hostname | |
| json | No | JSON text to validate; discarded after the check | |
| zone | No | IANA timezone name |
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?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. 'Current time' implies a read-only side-effect-free operation, which is helpful, but it does not disclose network requirements, whether the time is fetched live, timezone edge cases (DST, invalid zone), or return format. The misleading schema params (url, host, json) also create unaddressed behavioral confusion.
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?
A single sentence of seven words, front-loaded with the core verb and object. Every word earns its place and there is no filler.
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 no annotations, no output schema, and a schema polluted with irrelevant parameters, the description is under-specified. The agent cannot tell what the tool returns (time string? timestamp? ISO 8601?), how zone errors are handled, or whether url/host/json are actual inputs or cataloging leftovers.
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 each parameter has a description, but three of the four params (url, host, json) appear unrelated to a timezone tool and likely were inherited from sibling tools. The description mentions 'IANA timezone' which maps to the 'zone' param, but it does not explain or disambiguate why the other params exist, actively undermining trust in 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 states a specific action ('Current time') and resource ('named IANA timezone') in a concise way, which makes the core purpose clear. However, it does not distinguish this from the sibling tool 'utc', which could plausibly serve a similar function.
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?
No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'utc'. There is no mention of prerequisites, limitations, or exclusions. The description only states what the tool does, not when it should be selected.
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.
Most tools have distinct outputs, but there are overlapping clusters: citation and normalize-url both return host information, timezone/utc-time/iana-zones all revolve around time, and domain-shape/punycode-ok both target hostnames. An agent would need to read descriptions carefully to avoid picking the wrong one.
Naming style is inconsistent: some names are verbs (normalize-url, validate-json, inspect-robots), some are nouns (citation, compatibility, timezone), and some are quirky compounds (punycode-ok, iana-zones). The consistent lowercase/hyphen formatting is the only pattern.
Eleven tools is not an unreasonable count by itself, but the server is named for punycode host checking while many tools are unrelated URL, time, and JSON utilities. The set feels padded rather than deliberately scoped.
The tool surface has no coherent domain to be complete against: a punycode host checker would need at least IDN conversion or comparison, while the URL/time/JSON utilities appear as unrelated extras. Significant coverage gaps would likely force agents to combine or externalize work.