Search MCP servers

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are present, so the description carries the behavioral burden. It discloses the keyword-search scope over names and descriptions and states that results include connectability, which is useful beyond the tool name. It omits minor details such as no-results behavior or ordering, but nothing 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 no filler. The core action and matching scope are front-loaded, and the follow-up sentence adds genuine routing value without bloating the definition.

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 two-parameter search tool with no output schema, the description conveys what is returned (candidate servers with connectability) and the recommended next steps. It is slightly vague about what 'connectability' entails, but the agent has enough information to invoke the tool correctly.

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%, with the query parameter already carrying an example and the limit parameter documented with bounds. The description adds little parameter-level detail beyond the schema, so the baseline of 3 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?

The description names a specific verb ('Search'), a concrete resource ('MCP registry index'), and the matching mechanism (keyword search over names and descriptions). It also mentions returning candidate servers, making the tool's role as a discovery entry point unambiguous and distinct from the sibling tools.

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 clearly implies when to use this tool: when you need to find servers by task description. It also routes the agent to describe_mcp_server / list_mcp_tools as follow-ups. It does not explicitly exclude alternatives like sync_registry, but the workflow cue provides adequate usage guidance.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.