Fetch HuffPost top stories from its homepage as clean JSON, including each item's title, URL, and image when available.
Get HuffPost top stories. Returns HuffPost's current top stories from its homepage, with no parameters. Each item has its title, URL and image where available. Summary, author and publication time are not returned.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v1.17.5Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full burden and does so reasonably well: it declares the parameter-free nature and explicitly describes the return shape (title, URL, image where available) plus what is deliberately omitted (summary, author, publication time). It does not state how many stories are returned or whether the feed is cached/refreshed, so it stops short of a 5.
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?
Three tight sentences, front-loaded with purpose and immediately followed by scope and return details. Every sentence adds information the agent needs; nothing is redundant.
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?
Because there is no output schema, the description must describe return values, and it does so by listing included fields and excluded fields. It is complete enough to call correctly, though it omits item count/pagination and refresh cadence for a homepage feed.
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?
Zero parameters, which is the baseline 4 case. The description correctly confirms "with no parameters," reinforcing the empty schema and preventing the agent from hunting for filter options.
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?
States a specific verb+resource ("Get HuffPost top stories") and scopes it to the homepage, which helps separate it from section- or article-level siblings. However, it does not explicitly distinguish itself from the closely-named huffpost_headlines sibling, leaving some ambiguity about which top-feed tool to pick.
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 notes there are no parameters, implying a no-arg fetch, but gives no when-to-use guidance and never names alternatives such as huffpost_headlines or huffpost_sections. The agent must infer when this is preferable to the sibling headline tool.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.