canon_citeReady-to-paste citation strings (markdown, plain, apa, bibtex) for one entry, with the reviewed date. Use when writing a report that quotes the canon.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| id | Yes | ||
| site | Yes | ||
| format | No |
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 readOnlyHint=true, the safety profile is pre-declared; the description adds the useful behavioral context that the tool returns preformatted citations (markdown, plain, apa, bibtex) and includes the reviewed date, rather than returning entry content.
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?
Two focused sentences with no filler; the output promise is front-loaded and the usage sentence 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 three simple parameters, enum constraints in the schema, and no output schema, the description adequately conveys the tool's output and purpose. It lacks only explicit notes on edge cases or how site/id combine to identify the entry.
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 description coverage is 0%, so the description must carry parameter meaning. It mentions citation formats, which helps the format parameter, and 'one entry' hints at id, but it does not explain what id/site refer to or how to choose a site.
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 identifies a specific verb and resource: producing ready-to-paste citation strings for a single canon entry. It is distinct from sibling retrieval/search tools, though it doesn't explicitly name an alternative.
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 gives an explicit use case: 'Use when writing a report that quotes the canon.' It doesn't discuss when not to use it or contrast with canon_get_entry/canon_search, so it stops short of full routing guidance.
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.
Each tool has a clearly distinct job: searching, fetching entries, mapping entities, running formulas, batching computations, verifying receipts, citing, listing sites, monitoring changes, and looking up regulatory thresholds. Even the related compute/batch/verify tools are cleanly separated by single vs. batch execution and verification responsibility.
All tools share the canon_ prefix and use lowercase snake_case, which makes the set feel consistent and predictable. However, the suffixes mix bare resource nouns (canon_sites, canon_thresholds, canon_entity) with verb phrases (canon_describe_formula, canon_list_formulas, canon_get_entry), so the naming convention is not perfectly uniform.
Thirteen tools is well within the ideal range for a reference-and-computation API, and each tool covers a distinct capability without redundancy. The count feels proportionate to the breadth of the finance canon domain.
The surface is complete for a read-only reference service: search, entry retrieval, entity resolution, contract lookup, formula inspection, computation, batch execution, receipt verification, citations, change monitoring, site stats, and regulatory thresholds. There are no obvious dead ends or missing core operations.