Fetch headlines from a supported Vox section by providing its slug, returning current headlines for news monitoring, research, or content curation.
Get Vox section headlines. Returns fresh headlines from one public Vox section.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| section | Yes | Vox section slug |
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 carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions 'fresh headlines' but doesn't disclose what 'fresh' means, whether results are paginated, what the response format looks like, or any rate limits. For a read-only tool, this is a moderate gap but not severe.
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 short sentences with no wasted words. It front-loads the core action and resource, then adds the freshness qualifier. It could be slightly more informative, but it is appropriately concise.
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 simple single-parameter tool with a fully documented enum, the description is mostly complete. However, with no output schema and no annotations, an agent might want to know what the response looks like (e.g., list of headline strings vs. objects) and whether 'fresh' implies a time window. These are minor gaps for a straightforward headlines 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?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents the 'section' parameter as a Vox section slug with an enum of valid values. The description adds minimal meaning beyond the schema, only implying that the section must be a public Vox section. Baseline 3 is appropriate since the schema does the heavy lifting.
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 ('Vox section headlines'), and clarifies it returns headlines from one public Vox section. It doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like nyt_headlines or vox_news, but the resource is clear enough for an agent to understand the basic function.
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 context: it's for fetching headlines from a single Vox section, and the required 'section' parameter makes that clear. However, it doesn't explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like vox_news or vox_sections, nor does it mention any exclusions or prerequisites.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.