Fetch The Daily Beast's live parent and child section inventory to power category menus, feeds, and content mapping.
Get The Daily Beast sections. Returns the live public The Daily Beast category inventory (parent and child sections).
| 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 burden of behavioral disclosure. It says 'live public' and 'Returns...', which implies a read-only operation with no authentication required. However, it does not explicitly state that it has no side effects, nor does it describe output format or potential limitations. This is sufficient for a simple list retrieval 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?
Two sentences, zero fluff. The first sentence gives the action, the second adds helpful detail about output. Information is front-loaded and every word earns its place.
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 (no parameters, no output schema, no annotations), the description is nearly complete. It tells the agent what the tool does and what it returns. Minor gaps like whether the output is a flat list or nested tree are not specified, but the mention of 'parent and child' is enough for an agent to make a reasonable call.
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, so the baseline is 4. The description adds value by explaining the return structure ('parent and child sections'), which goes beyond the empty input schema. 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 states a specific verb ('Get'), a clear resource ('The Daily Beast sections'), and adds scope ('parent and child sections'). This distinguishes it from sibling tools like thedailybeast_headlines, thedailybeast_news, and thedailybeast_article, which cover different aspects of the same publication.
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: when you need the category inventory of The Daily Beast, call this tool. However, it does not explicitly state when not to use it or how it differs from sibling tools such as thedailybeast_headlines or thedailybeast_article. For a zero-parameter tool this is adequate but not explicit.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.