DC Hub: Data Center, Power Grid & Energy Intelligence

Find Alternative Facilities

find_alternatives

Read-onlyIdempotent

Identifies comparable data center facilities from one seed site, returning ranked alternatives with similarity scores and match/difference details for site discovery.

Instructions

Use this when the user wants data center facilities similar to one they like ("what else looks like this?"). Example: "Find alternatives to the Ashburn QTS campus for about 50MW." — find_alternatives facility_id=. Params: facility_id or name (the target, required); optional capacity_mw, radius_km, limit. Returns: ranked alternatives, each with similarity_score, match_reasons, and key_differences versus the target. Do NOT use to score one site (use score_facility or analyze_site) or to compare a known short-list head-to-head (use compare_sites); this DISCOVERS candidates from a single seed facility.

Input Schema

Name	Required	Description
`limit`	No	Max results to return (1-500; default varies by tool)
`match_on`	No	Optional similarity dimension to weight, e.g. capacity, operator, fiber, market
`radius_km`	No	Search radius in km for candidate alternatives around the seed facility
`facility_id`	Yes	The seed facility id/slug (required) to find alternatives to, from a prior search result — there is no `name` param; an undeclared key is silently stripped
`exclude_operator`	No	If true, exclude facilities from the same operator as the seed

Output Schema

Name	Required	Description	Default
No arguments

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.

Changed9 schema fields changedv2.12.45Oct 22, 2026

changedOutput schema / additionalProperties
```
Previous value: -{}New value: +true
```

removedOutput schema / description

Removed value: -"DC Hub envelope: tool data fields ride at the top level beside these keys."

removedOutput schema / properties / _entity

Removed value: -{
-  "description": "Payload class (facility|market|iso_grid|queue_results|deal|report|response); branch on it.",
-  "type": "string"
-}

removedOutput schema / properties / _front_door

Removed value: -{
-  "additionalProperties": {},
-  "description": "First-tool hint: plan_query(intent) returns the ordered plan.",
-  "properties": {},
-  "type": "object"
-}

removedOutput schema / properties / _return_loop

Removed value: -{
-  "additionalProperties": {},
-  "description": "Next-session delta call (get_changes).",
-  "properties": {},
-  "type": "object"
-}

removedOutput schema / properties / citation

Removed value: -{
-  "anyOf": [
-    {
-      "additionalProperties": {},
-      "properties": {},
-      "type": "object"
-    },
-    {
-      "type": "string"
-    }
-  ],
-  "description": "How to attribute DC Hub: {source, url, license, cite_as, retrieved_at}, or the attribution line as a string."
-}

removedOutput schema / properties / provenance

Removed value: -{
-  "additionalProperties": {},
-  "description": "Source, method, as_of, verification_counts, license, cite_as; quote it when citing.",
-  "properties": {},
-  "type": "object"
-}

removedOutput schema / properties / quota

Removed value: -{
-  "additionalProperties": {},
-  "description": "Caller quota state (remaining calls, tier).",
-  "properties": {},
-  "type": "object"
-}

removedOutput schema / properties / site_evaluation_handoff

Removed value: -{
-  "anyOf": [
-    {
-      "items": {
-        "additionalProperties": {},
-        "properties": {},
-        "type": "object"
-      },
-      "type": "array"
-    },
-    {
-      "additionalProperties": {},
-      "properties": {},
-      "type": "object"
-    }
-  ],
-  "description": "Follow-up calls [{tool, parameters, why}] when the payload carries coordinates."
-}

Changed8 schema fields changedv2.12.43Oct 15, 2026

changedOutput schema / description

Previous value: -"DC Hub envelope: structuredContent mirrors the JSON payload in content[0].text — tool-specific data fields ride at the top level alongside these envelope keys."New value: +"DC Hub envelope: tool data fields ride at the top level beside these keys."

changedOutput schema / properties / _entity / description

Previous value: -"Payload class discriminator (e.g. facility|market|iso_grid|queue_results|deal|report|response) — branch on this before parsing the rest."New value: +"Payload class (facility|market|iso_grid|queue_results|deal|report|response); branch on it."

changedOutput schema / properties / _front_door / description

Previous value: -"In-band front-door hint (first workflow-entry tool of a session): call plan_query(intent) first for the ordered multi-step plan."New value: +"First-tool hint: plan_query(intent) returns the ordered plan."

changedOutput schema / properties / _return_loop / description

Previous value: -"Suggested next-session delta call (get_changes since=24h) so you pull only what changed."New value: +"Next-session delta call (get_changes)."

changedOutput schema / properties / citation / description

Previous value: -"Machine-readable citation: how to attribute DC Hub (dchub.cloud) for this payload. Normally an OBJECT {source, url, license, cite_as, retrieved_at}; a bare string is accepted and carries the attribution line itself."New value: +"How to attribute DC Hub: {source, url, license, cite_as, retrieved_at}, or the attribution line as a string."

changedOutput schema / properties / provenance / description

Previous value: -"Collection-level provenance block: {source, method, as_of, verification_counts, cite_url_template, license, cite_as}. Quote the verification level when citing."New value: +"Source, method, as_of, verification_counts, license, cite_as; quote it when citing."

changedOutput schema / properties / quota / description

Previous value: -"Caller quota state (remaining calls, tier) when available."New value: +"Caller quota state (remaining calls, tier)."

changedOutput schema / properties / site_evaluation_handoff / description

Previous value: -"Pre-built follow-up calls (analyze_site / get_water_risk args) when the payload carries coordinates — an array of {tool, parameters, why} entries."New value: +"Follow-up calls [{tool, parameters, why}] when the payload carries coordinates."

Changed4 schema fields changedAug 30, 2026

removedInput schema / $schema

Removed value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"

changedInput schema / properties / facility_id / description

Previous value: -"The seed facility id/slug (or use name) to find alternatives to, from a prior search result"New value: +"The seed facility id/slug (required) to find alternatives to, from a prior search result — there is no `name` param; an undeclared key is silently stripped"

addedInput schema / required
```
Added value: +[
+  "facility_id"
+]
```

removedOutput schema / $schema

Removed value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"

Changed5 schema fields changedv2.3.20Aug 14, 2026

removedOutput schema / properties / citation / additionalProperties
```
Removed value: -{}
```

addedOutput schema / properties / citation / anyOf

Added value: +[
+  {
+    "additionalProperties": {},
+    "properties": {},
+    "type": "object"
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "string"
+  }
+]

changedOutput schema / properties / citation / description

Previous value: -"Machine-readable citation: how to attribute DC Hub (dchub.cloud) for this payload."New value: +"Machine-readable citation: how to attribute DC Hub (dchub.cloud) for this payload. Normally an OBJECT {source, url, license, cite_as, retrieved_at}; a bare string is accepted and carries the attribution line itself."

removedOutput schema / properties / citation / properties
```
Removed value: -{}
```
removedOutput schema / properties / citation / type
```
Removed value: -"object"
```

Changed1 schema field changedv2.3.12Jul 28, 2026

changedOutput schema / (root)

Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+  "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+  "additionalProperties": {},
+  "description": "DC Hub envelope: structuredContent mirrors the JSON payload in content[0].text — tool-specific data fields ride at the top level alongside these envelope keys.",
+  "properties": {
+    "_entity": {
+      "description": "Payload class discriminator (e.g. facility|market|iso_grid|queue_results|deal|report|response) — branch on this before parsing the rest.",
+      "type": "string"
+    },
+    "_front_door": {
+      "additionalProperties": {},
+      "description": "In-band front-door hint (first workflow-entry tool of a session): call plan_query(intent) first for the ordered multi-step plan.",
+      "properties": {},
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "_return_loop": {
+      "additionalProperties": {},
+      "description": "Suggested next-session delta call (get_changes since=24h) so you pull only what changed.",
+      "properties": {},
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "citation": {
+      "additionalProperties": {},
+      "description": "Machine-readable citation: how to attribute DC Hub (dchub.cloud) for this payload.",
+      "properties": {},
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "provenance": {
+      "additionalProperties": {},
+      "description": "Collection-level provenance block: {source, method, as_of, verification_counts, cite_url_template, license, cite_as}. Quote the verification level when citing.",
+      "properties": {},
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "quota": {
+      "additionalProperties": {},
+      "description": "Caller quota state (remaining calls, tier) when available.",
+      "properties": {},
+      "type": "object"
+    },
+    "site_evaluation_handoff": {
+      "anyOf": [
+        {
+          "items": {
+            "additionalProperties": {},
+            "properties": {},
+            "type": "object"
+          },
+          "type": "array"
+        },
+        {
+          "additionalProperties": {},
+          "properties": {},
+          "type": "object"
+        }
+      ],
+      "description": "Pre-built follow-up calls (analyze_site / get_water_risk args) when the payload carries coordinates — an array of {tool, parameters, why} entries."
+    }
+  },
+  "type": "object"
+}

Changed7 schema fields changedv2.3.6Jul 2, 2026

addedInput schema / properties / exclude_operator / description

Added value: +"If true, exclude facilities from the same operator as the seed"

addedInput schema / properties / facility_id / description

Added value: +"The seed facility id/slug (or use name) to find alternatives to, from a prior search result"

addedInput schema / properties / limit / description

Added value: +"Max results to return (1-500; default varies by tool)"

changedInput schema / properties / limit / maximum

Previous value: -9007199254740991New value: +500

changedInput schema / properties / limit / minimum

Previous value: --9007199254740991New value: +1

addedInput schema / properties / match_on / description

Added value: +"Optional similarity dimension to weight, e.g. capacity, operator, fiber, market"

addedInput schema / properties / radius_km / description

Added value: +"Search radius in km for candidate alternatives around the seed facility"

First observedv2.1.19Jun 8, 2026

TDQS

A4.1/5.0

Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare it as read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive. The description adds useful behavior beyond that: it discovers candidates from one seed and returns ranked alternatives with similarity_score, match_reasons, and key_differences.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is front-loaded with the use case and example, and the final sentence efficiently routes to alternatives. It is slightly weakened by a parameter sentence containing inaccurate extras and by return details that partly duplicate the output schema.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Purpose and sibling routing are complete, and annotations plus the output schema cover safety and return shape. However, the description's incorrect parameter guidance means it is not fully reliable as a standalone invocation guide.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters2/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

The schema has 100% description coverage and explicitly says there is no `name` param, but the description incorrectly says 'facility_id or name' and mentions an optional `capacity_mw` that is not in the schema. It also omits the actual `match_on` and `exclude_operator` parameters, creating active confusion despite the schema being correct.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

States a specific verb and resource: finding data center facilities similar to a seed facility. The example and sibling exclusions make it clearly distinct from score_facility, analyze_site, and compare_sites.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines5/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

Explicitly says when to use it, gives a concrete example, and names when not to use it with alternative tools. It also clarifies that this discovers candidates from a single seed rather than comparing a known short-list.

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

Deploy Server