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web_data_github_repository_file

Read structured data from GitHub repository files using cache lookup for reliable access without scraping.

Instructions

Quickly read structured github repository data. Requires a valid github repository file URL. This can be a cache lookup, so it can be more reliable than scraping

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
urlYes

Implementation Reference

  • Handler implementation for web_data_github_repository_file (shared with other web_data_* tools). Triggers the BrightData Datasets API using the specific dataset_id, polls for the snapshot data, and returns the JSON results.
    execute: tool_fn(`web_data_${id}`, async(data, ctx)=>{
        let trigger_response = await axios({
            url: 'https://api.brightdata.com/datasets/v3/trigger',
            params: {dataset_id, include_errors: true},
            method: 'POST',
            data: [data],
            headers: api_headers(),
        });
        if (!trigger_response.data?.snapshot_id)
            throw new Error('No snapshot ID returned from request');
        let snapshot_id = trigger_response.data.snapshot_id;
        console.error(`[web_data_${id}] triggered collection with `
            +`snapshot ID: ${snapshot_id}`);
        let max_attempts = 600;
        let attempts = 0;
        while (attempts < max_attempts)
        {
            try {
                if (ctx && ctx.reportProgress)
                {
                    await ctx.reportProgress({
                        progress: attempts,
                        total: max_attempts,
                        message: `Polling for data (attempt `
                            +`${attempts + 1}/${max_attempts})`,
                    });
                }
                let snapshot_response = await axios({
                    url: `https://api.brightdata.com/datasets/v3`
                        +`/snapshot/${snapshot_id}`,
                    params: {format: 'json'},
                    method: 'GET',
                    headers: api_headers(),
                });
                if (['running', 'building'].includes(snapshot_response.data?.status))
                {
                    console.error(`[web_data_${id}] snapshot not ready, `
                        +`polling again (attempt `
                        +`${attempts + 1}/${max_attempts})`);
                    attempts++;
                    await new Promise(resolve=>setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
                    continue;
                }
                console.error(`[web_data_${id}] snapshot data received `
                    +`after ${attempts + 1} attempts`);
                let result_data = JSON.stringify(snapshot_response.data);
                return result_data;
            } catch(e){
                console.error(`[web_data_${id}] polling error: `
                    +`${e.message}`);
                attempts++;
                await new Promise(resolve=>setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
            }
        }
        throw new Error(`Timeout after ${max_attempts} seconds waiting `
            +`for data`);
    }),
  • server.js:674-745 (registration)
    Dynamic registration loop that creates and registers the web_data_github_repository_file tool (and others) by constructing name, parameters from inputs, and assigning the shared handler.
    for (let {dataset_id, id, description, inputs, defaults = {}} of datasets)
    {
        let parameters = {};
        for (let input of inputs)
        {
            let param_schema = input=='url' ? z.string().url() : z.string();
            parameters[input] = defaults[input] !== undefined ?
                param_schema.default(defaults[input]) : param_schema;
        }
        addTool({
            name: `web_data_${id}`,
            description,
            parameters: z.object(parameters),
            execute: tool_fn(`web_data_${id}`, async(data, ctx)=>{
                let trigger_response = await axios({
                    url: 'https://api.brightdata.com/datasets/v3/trigger',
                    params: {dataset_id, include_errors: true},
                    method: 'POST',
                    data: [data],
                    headers: api_headers(),
                });
                if (!trigger_response.data?.snapshot_id)
                    throw new Error('No snapshot ID returned from request');
                let snapshot_id = trigger_response.data.snapshot_id;
                console.error(`[web_data_${id}] triggered collection with `
                    +`snapshot ID: ${snapshot_id}`);
                let max_attempts = 600;
                let attempts = 0;
                while (attempts < max_attempts)
                {
                    try {
                        if (ctx && ctx.reportProgress)
                        {
                            await ctx.reportProgress({
                                progress: attempts,
                                total: max_attempts,
                                message: `Polling for data (attempt `
                                    +`${attempts + 1}/${max_attempts})`,
                            });
                        }
                        let snapshot_response = await axios({
                            url: `https://api.brightdata.com/datasets/v3`
                                +`/snapshot/${snapshot_id}`,
                            params: {format: 'json'},
                            method: 'GET',
                            headers: api_headers(),
                        });
                        if (['running', 'building'].includes(snapshot_response.data?.status))
                        {
                            console.error(`[web_data_${id}] snapshot not ready, `
                                +`polling again (attempt `
                                +`${attempts + 1}/${max_attempts})`);
                            attempts++;
                            await new Promise(resolve=>setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
                            continue;
                        }
                        console.error(`[web_data_${id}] snapshot data received `
                            +`after ${attempts + 1} attempts`);
                        let result_data = JSON.stringify(snapshot_response.data);
                        return result_data;
                    } catch(e){
                        console.error(`[web_data_${id}] polling error: `
                            +`${e.message}`);
                        attempts++;
                        await new Promise(resolve=>setTimeout(resolve, 1000));
                    }
                }
                throw new Error(`Timeout after ${max_attempts} seconds waiting `
                    +`for data`);
            }),
        });
    }
  • Dataset configuration entry defining the id ('github_repository_file'), dataset_id, description, and input schema (url) used to generate the tool 'web_data_github_repository_file'.
        id: 'github_repository_file',
        dataset_id: 'gd_lyrexgxc24b3d4imjt',
        description: [
            'Quickly read structured github repository data.',
            'Requires a valid github repository file URL.',
            'This can be a cache lookup, so it can be more reliable than scraping',
        ].join('\n'),
        inputs: ['url'],
    }, {
  • Helper wrapper function applied to all tool handlers, adding rate limiting, stats tracking, logging, and error handling.
    function tool_fn(name, fn){
        return async(data, ctx)=>{
            check_rate_limit();
            debug_stats.tool_calls[name] = debug_stats.tool_calls[name]||0;
            debug_stats.tool_calls[name]++;
            debug_stats.session_calls++;
            let ts = Date.now();
            console.error(`[%s] executing %s`, name, JSON.stringify(data));
            try { return await fn(data, ctx); }
            catch(e){
                if (e.response)
                {
                    console.error(`[%s] error %s %s: %s`, name, e.response.status,
                        e.response.statusText, e.response.data);
                    let message = e.response.data;
                    if (message?.length)
                        throw new Error(`HTTP ${e.response.status}: ${message}`);
                }
                else
                    console.error(`[%s] error %s`, name, e.stack);
                throw e;
            } finally {
                let dur = Date.now()-ts;
                console.error(`[%s] tool finished in %sms`, name, dur);
            }
        };
    }
Behavior3/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses key behavioral traits: it's a read operation ('read'), uses caching ('cache lookup'), and offers reliability benefits ('more reliable than scraping'). However, it lacks details on error handling, rate limits, authentication needs, or what 'structured data' entails. It adds value but leaves gaps for a tool with no annotation coverage.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is concise and well-structured in three sentences: purpose, requirement, and benefit. Each sentence adds value without redundancy. It could be slightly more front-loaded by integrating the requirement into the purpose, but overall it's efficient with zero waste.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given no annotations, 0% schema coverage, and no output schema, the description is moderately complete. It covers the core purpose, input requirement, and a key behavioral trait (caching/reliability). However, for a tool that reads data, it lacks details on output format, error cases, or performance characteristics, which are important given the complexity implied by 'structured data' and caching.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The schema description coverage is 0%, with one parameter ('url') documented only by type. The description adds semantic context: 'Requires a valid github repository file URL,' specifying the URL must be for a GitHub repository file. This clarifies beyond the schema's generic 'uri' format. However, it doesn't detail URL format examples or constraints, leaving some ambiguity.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose4/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description clearly states the tool's purpose: 'Quickly read structured github repository data.' It specifies the verb ('read'), resource ('github repository data'), and quality ('structured'). However, it doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like 'scrape_as_markdown' or 'scrape_as_html' that might also read GitHub content, though the mention of 'cache lookup' hints at a distinction.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines3/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides some usage context: 'Requires a valid github repository file URL' and implies when to use it ('can be more reliable than scraping'). However, it doesn't explicitly state when to choose this tool over alternatives like 'scrape_as_markdown' for GitHub files or other web_data_* tools for different sources. The guidance is implied but not comprehensive.

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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