Retrieve PhoneArena section listings for recent news, current-month news, and year-to-date reviews to source headlines and structure editorial content.
Get PhoneArena sections. Returns the public PhoneArena listings accepted by the headlines endpoint: recent news, current-month news and current-year reviews.
| 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?
No annotations are provided, so the description must carry behavioral disclosure. It states the tool returns public listings, implying a read-only operation, and enumerates the content categories. It does not mention rate limits, auth, or error conditions, but for a simple getter this is acceptable. No contradiction with annotations (none).
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?
A single, efficient sentence that front-loads the purpose and then elaborates on the return content. No filler or redundant 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?
Given the simplicity (no parameters, no output schema), the description provides enough context to understand what the tool returns and how it relates to the headlines endpoint. It could specify the return format (e.g., array of strings) but is otherwise complete for a simple enumeration tool.
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 takes zero parameters and the schema is empty, so the description has nothing to add. The description confirms the tool is parameterless, which matches the schema. Baseline of 4 for zero-parameter tools is appropriate.
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?
Clearly states it retrieves PhoneArena sections and enumerates the exact listings (recent news, current-month news, current-year reviews). This distinguishes it from sibling tools like phonearena_headlines and phonearena_news, and explicitly ties to the headlines endpoint, making its role unambiguous.
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?
Explains that the returned sections are accepted by the headlines endpoint, implying it should be used to obtain valid section values before calling phonearena_headlines. While it doesn't explicitly name alternatives or when-not conditions, the context is sufficient for a simple enumeration tool.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.