australian-law-mcp
australian-law-mcp
用于联邦立法登记册的 MCP 服务器。询问澳大利亚法律在任何日期的规定,并在依赖引用之前对照官方登记册进行核对。无需 API 密钥,无需注册。
所有内容均实时来自联邦自己的立法 API:超过 130,000 部法案和立法文书,每部法案的每个汇编版本,可追溯至 1901 年。该登记册是联邦法律的授权来源,并且原生发布时点版本——因此 get_law_as_at 返回的是您指定日期实际生效的文本,而非重建内容。
快速开始
Claude Code:
claude mcp add australian-law -- npx -y australian-law-mcpClaude Desktop、Cursor 或任何其他 stdio MCP 客户端:
{
"mcpServers": {
"australian-law": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "australian-law-mcp"]
}
}
}需要 Node 20 或更高版本。无需安装其他内容——npx 会在首次运行时获取该包。
如果您不希望主机上安装 Node,可以使用 Dockerfile。服务器使用 stdio 通信,因此容器需要 -i 参数:
docker build -t australian-law-mcp .
docker run -i --rm australian-law-mcpRelated MCP server: au-eli-mcp
工具
工具 | 功能 |
| 按名称查找法案和文书。返回其他工具所需的标题 ID。 |
| 当前汇编版本:条款目录、单个章节或分页的全文。附表也可寻址( |
| 同上,但以法律在过去任何日期的状态为准。 |
| 从文本中提取法规引用,并逐一对照登记册检查:法案是否存在、是否生效、所引用的章节是否存在。上游故障返回为 UNVERIFIED,绝不会报告为法律缺失。 |
| 生效或已废除、最新汇编包含的内容、已生效的修正案是否仍未纳入,以及哪些内容对其进行了修正。 |
| 两个日期之间的变化:新增、删除、改写的章节——或单个章节的行级差异。 |
| 对登记册上所有标题的正文进行相关性排序搜索。 |
| 对登记册 API 进行 ping 操作,以便将其他位置的故障归因。 |
docs/tools.md 包含每个工具的参数和完整示例,包括每个工具在无法回答时的行为。
为什么时点版本很重要
税务争议、签证决定、合同和法院案件取决于过去某天的法律状态,而模型通常会错误地以今天的法律作答。登记册保留每个汇编版本及其精确的生效时间窗口:
get_law_as_at titleId=C2004A03348 date=2017-01-05 section=3A
→ As at 2017-01-05: Income Tax Rates Act 1986, Compilation No. 48
s 3A Working holiday makers and working holiday taxable income ...而 verify_citations 是另一方向的护栏——防止模型虚构从未颁布的章节:
verify_citations text="See s 3A and s 999 of the Income Tax Rates Act 1986."
→ [OK] Income Tax Rates Act 1986 [C2004A03348] — in force.
[OK] s 3A exists: "Working holiday makers and working holiday taxable income"
[NOT FOUND] s 999 — Provision 999 was not found in this compilation. It has
28 sections and 6 schedules. Closest by number: s 30, s 29, s 28真实法律被报告为缺失是该类工具最严重的失败,因此网络和 API 错误始终报告为 UNVERIFIED 而非 NOT FOUND,并且只有当引用确实与法案绑定时,章节才会被检查。
同样的规则适用于文本本身。登记册自 1901 年以来以三种不同格式发布,其中最古老的——联邦时代法案的扫描件——完全没有结构标记,只有正文中的编号。这些内容根据其自身的编号进行读取,并且仅当恢复的章节编号从第 1 节开始按顺序排列时,结果才被接受。如果不满足,工具会说明无法读取该汇编版本,而不会报告一个没有章节的法案,或将一个章节的内容归入另一个章节的编号下。
范围
仅限联邦立法,这是设计使然。州登记册要么没有开放 API(维州),要么面临机器人挑战(新州),要么需要注册(昆州)。判例法数据库(AustLII、Jade)不允许自动访问,因此没有判例法工具。ATO 裁定无法通过机器访问。如果这些情况发生变化,范围可以扩大。
数据来源与许可
立法内容来自联邦立法登记册 API,并由澳大利亚联邦根据 CC BY 4.0 许可;所有复制登记册内容的响应均附带登记册要求的署名。本项目独立:与议会法律顾问办公室或澳大利亚政府无关联,也未获其认可。输出为法律信息,而非法律建议——任何法律的授权版本均以登记册上发布的为准。
代码采用 MIT 许可。
开发
npm install
npm test # build + unit tests (offline)
node scripts/smoke.mjs # live API smoke test
node scripts/protocol-test.mjs # stdio round trip against the live APIAvailable Tools
8 toolscheck_frl_healthCheck the register APIARead-only
Pings the Federal Register of Legislation API and reports latency, so failures elsewhere can be attributed.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No parameters | |||
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and openWorldHint=true, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds behavioral insight (pings, reports latency, purpose of attribution) beyond annotations. However, it doesn't specify the exact return format or what 'latency' includes, so it's slightly incomplete.
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 sentence, front-loaded with the verb 'Pings' and directly stateful. Every word earns its place 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 zero-parameter health check, the description communicates the tool's purpose and use case well. However, without an output schema, it would benefit from specifying what 'latency' entails (e.g., milliseconds, status indicator) to fully guide an agent interpreting results.
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?
There are zero parameters, and schema coverage is trivially 100%. With no parameters to document, the baseline of 4 applies; the description appropriately omits parameter details.
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 tool pings the Federal Register of Legislation API and reports latency, which is a specific verb+resource+outcome. It distinguishes itself from sibling data-retrieval tools by focusing on API health rather than legal content.
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 provides clear context for use as an attribution/diagnostic tool ('failures elsewhere can be attributed'), implying use for health checks. It does not explicitly name alternatives or exclusions, but the sibling list makes the distinction obvious.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
compare_versionsCompare an act between two datesARead-only
Shows what changed in an act between two dates: which sections were added, removed or reworded. Give a section number for a line-by-line diff of that provision.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| page | No | ||
| dateA | Yes | yyyy-mm-dd, the earlier date | |
| dateB | Yes | yyyy-mm-dd, the later date | |
| section | No | ||
| titleId | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With readOnlyHint and openWorldHint annotations already indicating a safe read operation, the description adds valuable behavioral context by explaining the output nature (sections added/removed/reworded) and the optional line-by-line diff behavior. It does not contradict annotations and provides extra clarity beyond them.
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 sentences, front-loaded with the primary purpose and followed by the optional behavior. No redundant wording; every sentence contributes meaningful information.
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?
The description covers the core functionality and optional section behavior, which is reasonably complete for a read-only diff tool with no output schema. However, it does not mention what output to expect without a section (summary vs. details) or how it relates to sibling tools like get_amendment_status, leaving slight 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 description coverage is 40%, with only dateA and dateB described. The description clarifies the 'section' parameter ('Give a section number for a line-by-line diff'), but titleId and page remain underspecified. It partially compensates for the coverage gap but leaves key parameter meanings implicit.
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 what the tool does: 'Shows what changed in an act between two dates' with specific detail on the types of changes (added, removed, reworded). It also distinguishes itself by specifying an optional section-level diff, which differs from sibling tools that retrieve single-version text or amendment status.
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 usage for comparing versions of an act over time, but it does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like get_law_as_at or get_amendment_status. It gives context but no exclusions or alternative guidance, leaving the agent to infer the appropriate scenario.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_amendment_statusAmendment status of an actARead-only
Reports whether a title is in force, what its latest compilation incorporates, whether commenced amendments are still unincorporated, and which acts have amended it.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| titleId | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
The annotations already indicate read-only and open-world behavior. The description further clarifies exactly what status questions the tool answers, including details about compilation and unincorporated amendments, going beyond the basic annotations. No contradiction with annotations is present.
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 one sentence and front-loaded with the verb 'Reports'. Every listed item adds value and the sentence is free of fluff, repetition, or unrelated background.
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?
The description sufficiently covers the tool's purpose and key output dimensions for a simple one-parameter tool. However, it does not clarify the titleId input semantics or what the return structure looks like, which is a mild gap given that no output schema is provided.
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 only parameter titleId has no schema description, and the tool description does not explicitly explain titleId's value format or scope. The description's repeated use of 'title' makes the parameter's intent inferable, but the tool still relies on the parameter name for meaning.
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 uses a specific verb ('Reports') and names distinct outcomes: in-force status, latest compilation contents, unincorporated commenced amendments, and amending acts. This clearly identifies the tool's primary function and differentiates it from sibling tools like compare_versions or get_law_text.
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 explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance is provided, nor are alternative sibling tools named. The description implies that this tool is appropriate when amendment/status information is needed, but it does not specify exclusions or preferred alternatives.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_law_as_atRead an act as it stood on a dateARead-only
Returns the compilation of a Commonwealth act that was in force on the given date — the register keeps every historical version. Same output shape as get_law_text.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| date | Yes | yyyy-mm-dd | |
| full | No | ||
| page | No | ||
| section | No | ||
| titleId | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and openWorldHint=true, so the tool is known to be a safe read operation. The description adds context that the register retains every historical version and that the output shape matches get_law_text, providing useful behavioral details beyond the 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 two sentences, with the core purpose in the first sentence and a cross-reference in the second. It is front-loaded, concise, and free of superfluous text.
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 5 parameters and no output schema, the description is incomplete. It does not explain pagination (page), section filtering (section), or the 'full' flag, nor does it define 'compilation' in detail. The reference to get_law_text hints at output structure but does not fully convey the behavior for all parameters.
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?
With schema coverage only at 20%, the description is expected to explain parameter meanings. It only hints at the 'date' parameter ('on the given date') and does not address 'titleId', 'full', 'page', or 'section'. This leaves agents without guidance for most inputs, failing to compensate for the schema's lack of detail.
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 'Returns' and the resource 'Commonwealth act' with the specific temporal qualifier 'as it stood on the given date'. It also distinguishes from siblings by noting 'Same output shape as get_law_text', which signals a relationship to a likely current-version tool.
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 this tool—when needing a historical version on a specific date—and contrasts it with get_law_text via 'Same output shape as get_law_text'. However, it does not explicitly state when not to use it or mention alternatives like compare_versions or search_full_text.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
get_law_textRead the current text of an actARead-only
Returns the latest compilation of a Commonwealth act or instrument. Without a section number it lists the table of sections; with one it returns that provision. Set full=true for the whole text, paginated.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| full | No | Return the full text instead of the table of sections | |
| page | No | ||
| section | No | Section number, e.g. "3A" or "90-5" | |
| titleId | Yes | Register title id, e.g. C2004A03348 |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already cover read-only and open-world behavior. The description adds meaningful behavioral context: default table of sections, section-specific provision retrieval, and paginated full-text mode. It does not contradict the 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?
Two sentences, no filler, and the most important information is front-loaded. Every clause contributes meaning.
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?
The tool is simple and well-annotated, and the description covers default behavior, section mode, and full-text mode. Minor gap: the page parameter's semantics are only implied by 'paginated' and not explicitly tied to request/response mechanics.
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 covers 75% of parameters but leaves 'page' undocumented. The description explains the interplay of section and full parameters, and 'paginated' hints at the page parameter's purpose, adding value beyond 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 uses a specific verb ('Returns') and clearly identifies the resource ('the latest compilation of a Commonwealth act or instrument'). It distinguishes itself from siblings like get_law_as_at by emphasizing 'latest' and from search tools by describing structured text retrieval.
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 clearly implies this is for current text retrieval, not historical or as-at versions, by saying 'latest compilation.' However, it does not explicitly name alternative tools or state when not to use this tool, so it stops short of full usage guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_full_textFull-text search across all legislationARead-only
Searches the body text of every act and instrument on the register for a phrase, ranked by relevance. Slower and broader than search_law.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | ||
| match | No | exact = the phrase verbatim (default), all = every word, any = any word | |
| phrase | Yes |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate readOnlyHint=true, so the description's 'slower' note adds performance context beyond the annotation. However, it does not mention potential rate limits, result size limitations, or other side effects, which might be relevant given the 'slower' warning. It is not contradictory, but additional transparency could be given.
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 directly states the purpose and a key comparative attribute. There is no redundancy or fluff; every word contributes to clarity.
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 the tool's simplicity and the presence of annotations (read-only) and a straightforward schema, the description adequately covers the core context. It does not need to explain return values since there is no output schema, and the 'slower and broader' hint provides performance context useful for agent decision-making.
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 description only explicitly covers the 'phrase' parameter ('for a phrase'), while 'limit' and 'match' are not addressed. The schema partially covers 'match' via its description, but 'limit' is left with no context beyond its name. The description adds some value by stating the search target, but it does not meaningfully enhance understanding of the other parameters, staying at a baseline level.
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 a specific action (searches) on a specific resource (body text of every act and instrument) and includes a distinct scope (all legislation). It differentiates from siblings like search_law and get_law_text by emphasizing the full-text, cross-document nature and relevance ranking.
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 explicitly contrasts with the sibling tool search_law by noting it is 'slower and broader', which tells the agent when to prefer this tool over the alternative. It does not provide exhaustive usage scenarios, but the comparative hint is actionable.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
search_lawSearch Australian legislation by nameARead-only
Finds Commonwealth acts and legislative instruments on the Federal Register of Legislation by title. Returns title ids for the other tools. Falls back to full-text matching when nothing matches by name.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| limit | No | ||
| query | Yes | Words from the title, e.g. "income tax rates" |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations declare readOnlyHint and openWorldHint, and the description adds value beyond that by disclosing that the tool returns title IDs and falls back to full-text matching. This provides practical operational context without contradicting the 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 three concise sentences with no wasted words. It front-loads the core purpose and includes only essential additional details about return values and fallback behavior.
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 straightforward search tool with two parameters and no output schema, the description fully covers the tool's purpose, return values, and matching behavior. It leaves no critical gaps for an agent to understand when and how to use it.
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 schema already describes the query parameter with an example ('income tax rates'), covering 50% of parameters. The description reinforces the 'by title' semantics but does not add significant new meaning for the limit parameter, making the guidance adequate yet not exceptional.
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 tool 'Finds Commonwealth acts and legislative instruments on the Federal Register of Legislation by title', using a specific verb and resource. It distinguishes itself from the sibling search_full_text by noting it searches by title and falls back to full-text matching.
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 provides clear context, explaining that it returns title ids for other tools and falls back to full-text when name matching fails. However, it does not explicitly name alternatives or state conditions to avoid using this tool, so it stops short of full explicit guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
verify_citationsCheck statute citations against the registerARead-only
Extracts Australian statute citations from text and checks each against the Federal Register of Legislation: does the act exist, is it still in force, does the cited section exist in the current compilation. Use before presenting legal citations to a user. An upstream failure is reported as UNVERIFIED, never as a missing law.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| text | Yes | Text containing the citations to check |
TDQS
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint and openWorldHint, so they convey safety. The description goes beyond by disclosing critical behavioral semantics: it retrieves from an open world ('openWorldHint' context), and crucially, it specifies the failure mode: 'An upstream failure is reported as UNVERIFIED, never as a missing law.' This adds essential behavioral context beyond annotations and is crucial for correct interpretation.
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 three sentences, each earning its place: the first states the core action, the second provides a usage guideline, and the third adds a critical caveat. No wasted words, front-loaded with the verb.
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 the tool's moderate complexity (checking citation existence and status), the description covers the key behavioral expectations without going into excessive detail. It does not detail the return format or edge cases with multiple citations, but the read-only nature and the explicit UNVERIFIED rule cover the most important usage aspects.
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?
There is only one parameter, `text`, and schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline of 3 applies. The description's mention of 'text' aligns with the parameter, but it does not add detail beyond what the schema already documents (e.g., no format, length, or examples).
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 uses a specific verb+resource construction: 'Extracts Australian statute citations from text and checks each against the Federal Register of Legislation.' It clearly details what is checked (act existence, in-force status, section existence) and distinguishes this from siblings by focusing on verification against the register.
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 explicitly states when to use the tool: 'Use before presenting legal citations to a user.' This provides clear usage context, but it does not explicitly mention alternatives or when not to use the tool, though the sibling list implies alternatives exist.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Tool Schema Changelog
Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
8 tool updates
v0.1.3- First observed
check_frl_health - First observed
compare_versions - First observed
get_amendment_status - First observed
get_law_as_at - First observed
get_law_text - First observed
search_full_text - First observed
search_law - First observed
verify_citations
TDQS
Scored across 8 tools
Most tools have clearly distinct purposes. The only mild ambiguity is between get_law_text and get_law_as_at, but the descriptions make the current-versus-historical distinction explicit. search_law and search_full_text are also separable by title-search versus full-text-search.
All tool names follow a consistent snake_case verb_noun pattern, such as search_law, get_law_text, compare_versions, and verify_citations. The get_ and search_ prefixes group related operations predictably, with no mixed conventions.
Eight tools is well-scoped for a legal research server. Each tool provides a distinct capability without redundancy, and the count feels neither thin nor bloated for the domain.
The toolset covers the core legislative research workflow: finding laws, retrieving current and historical text, checking amendment status, comparing versions, and verifying citations. There are no obvious dead ends or missing operations for the stated purpose of working with the Federal Register of Legislation.
Maintenance
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