Fetch current headlines from a chosen The Daily Beast section by providing its slug. Get clean JSON headlines for any listed category.
Get The Daily Beast section headlines. Returns fresh headlines from one public The Daily Beast category hub.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| section | Yes | The Daily Beast section slug |
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 full responsibility. It discloses that headlines are 'fresh' and from a 'public' hub, implying no authentication and a read-only action, but it omits pagination, rate limits, and response shape. This is minimal but not misleading.
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 main purpose front-loaded in the first. The second sentence adds 'fresh' and 'public' without redundancy, making it efficient and well-structured.
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 (one enum parameter, no output schema), and the description explains its basic function adequately. However, without an output schema, it doesn't specify the structure of returned headlines (titles, links, limits), leaving a gap for agents that need to process the response.
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 coverage is 100%: the single parameter has a full enum and a description ('The Daily Beast section slug'). The description adds no new parameter-level detail beyond implying that 'section' selects which hub's headlines to fetch, so the baseline 3 applies.
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 states a specific verb ('Get') and resource ('The Daily Beast section headlines'), making the core function clear. It also mentions returning headlines from one public category hub, but does not differentiate from sibling tools like thedailybeast_news or thedailybeast_sections.
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 guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus siblings such as thedailybeast_news or thedailybeast_sections. The description only states what it does, leaving the agent to infer selection criteria from the tool name alone.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.