MCP Webscan Server

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It describes the core behavior (fetching HTML, CSS selection, Markdown conversion) and fallback behavior (uses body tag if selector doesn't match). However, it doesn't mention error handling, rate limits, authentication needs, or performance characteristics that would be important for a web fetching tool.

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 efficiently structured in three sentences: purpose statement, optional functionality, and return value. Every sentence earns its place by adding distinct information without redundancy. It's appropriately sized for a tool with two parameters and clear functionality.

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 tool with no annotations and no output schema, the description provides good coverage of what the tool does, how parameters interact, and what it returns. It could be more complete by mentioning potential limitations (e.g., JavaScript-rendered content, timeouts) or authentication requirements, but covers the essential functionality well given the context.

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 schema has 100% description coverage, providing excellent parameter documentation. The description adds value by explaining the relationship between parameters (selector is optional, affects what gets converted) and the overall workflow (fetch → optionally select → convert to Markdown). It provides context beyond individual parameter descriptions.

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 clearly states the tool's purpose with specific verbs ('fetches', 'select', 'convert') and resources ('HTML content', 'URL', 'Markdown format'). It distinguishes from siblings like 'check-links' or 'extract-links' by focusing on content retrieval and conversion rather than link analysis or crawling.

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 through its functional explanation (fetch HTML, optionally select with CSS, convert to Markdown), but doesn't explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'crawl-site' for multiple pages or 'extract-links' for link extraction. No explicit when-not or alternative guidance is provided.

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