Retrieve Philstar's public editorial sections across English, Filipino, and Cebuano editions, listing every page that publishes stories.
Get Philstar sections. Returns the public Philstar editorial section inventory: every English, Filipino (Pilipino Star Ngayon, Pang-Masa) and Cebuano (Banat, The Freeman) section page that lists stories.
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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 burden of behavioral disclosure. It usefully notes the data is 'public' and enumerates the scope of the inventory, but it does not describe the return structure, pagination, or any operational details. This is adequate for a simple read-only listing but not richly transparent.
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 that front-loads the core action ('Get Philstar sections') and then adds necessary scoping detail. Every clause earns its place with no redundancy or 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?
For a zero-parameter inventory tool, the description adequately covers what is returned and the publication scope. The lack of an output schema means return format is not specified, but the phrase 'section page that lists stories' gives enough context for an agent to invoke the tool correctly.
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 tool has zero parameters and an empty input schema, so there is no parameter semantics burden on the description. The baseline of 4 applies because no parameter documentation is needed.
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 'Get' and the resource 'Philstar sections', and specifies that it returns the editorial section inventory across English, Filipino, and Cebuano publications. It differentiates itself from article/headline/news tools by focusing on the section inventory, though it does not explicitly name sibling tools.
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 the tool is for retrieving section pages rather than individual articles or headlines, but it does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like philstar_news or philstar_headlines. No exclusions or alternative routing are provided.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.