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get_available_engines

Retrieve available search engines to configure and customize search queries within the SearXNG MCP server.

Instructions

Get information about available search engines

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault

No arguments

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
resultYes

Implementation Reference

  • The implementation of the 'get_available_engines' tool handler using FastMCP.
    @mcp.tool()
    def get_available_engines() -> Dict[str, Any]:
        """Get information about available search engines"""
        logger.info("Fetching available engines information")
        try:
            response = client.get(urljoin(SEARXNG_URL, "/config"))
            response.raise_for_status()
            result = response.json()
            logger.info("Successfully retrieved engine information")
            return result
        except httpx.HTTPError as e:
            logger.error(f"HTTP error occurred while fetching engines: {str(e)}")
            raise
        except Exception as e:
            logger.error(f"Unexpected error while fetching engines: {str(e)}")
            raise
Behavior2/5

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

No annotations provided, so description carries full disclosure burden. While 'Get' implies read-only behavior, description omits details on caching, authentication requirements, whether results are user-specific or global, and what the output structure contains (though output schema exists).

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?

Single 6-word sentence with no redundancy. Efficiently front-loaded but arguably too minimal given lack of annotations and contextual guidelines that could have been included without sacrificing clarity.

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?

Adequate for a simple discovery tool with existing output schema (which handles return value documentation). However, misses opportunity to explain relationship to 'search' sibling or define what makes an engine 'available'. Minimal viable description.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Zero input parameters with 100% schema coverage (empty object). Per rubric, baseline score is 4 for zero-parameter tools since there are no semantics to clarify beyond the schema.

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

Purpose4/5

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

States specific verb ('Get') and resource ('available search engines'), distinguishing it from sibling 'search' (which performs searches vs. this which discovers them). However, 'information' is vague regarding what specific data is returned (names, capabilities, endpoints?).

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

Usage Guidelines2/5

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

Provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus the 'search' sibling, nor prerequisites for calling it. Description states what it does but not why or when an agent should invoke it.

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

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