Retrieve the public Times of Israel section inventory to use with headlines endpoints. Returns the list of available sections in clean JSON.
Get Times of Israel sections. Returns the public Times of Israel section inventory used by the headlines endpoint.
| 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 does disclose that the data is public and that the result is a section inventory feeding the headlines endpoint. However, it does not describe the output shape, pagination, or explicit read-only safety behavior, which are useful details even for a simple list endpoint.
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 concise sentences with no filler. The first sentence front-loads the action, and the second adds the only meaningful context needed, the relationship to the headlines endpoint.
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 parameterless endpoint with no output schema, the description provides enough to call it correctly: it says what is returned and why it matters. It could specify the exact fields of the section inventory, but the low complexity of the tool makes that a minor omission.
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 for parameter semantics is 4. The description does not need to explain parameter meaning, and the empty input schema already fully conveys that no arguments are required.
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 'Get Times of Israel sections' with a specific verb and resource, and the second sentence clarifies it returns the public section inventory used by the headlines endpoint. This clearly distinguishes it from sibling tools like timesofisrael_article, timesofisrael_headlines, and timesofisrael_news.
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 explains that the sections are 'used by the headlines endpoint,' giving an agent clear context for when this tool is useful: before querying Times of Israel headlines. It does not explicitly name alternatives or state when not to use it, but for a zero-parameter catalog endpoint this context is sufficient.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.