ferric-fred-mcp
Server Quality Checklist
Latest release: v0.3.11
- Disambiguation5/5
Each tool targets a distinct entity or operation (categories, series, tags, releases, sources, observations, regional data) with clear scoping. Even similar tools like get_<scope>_related_tags are differentiated by their context (all, category, release, search). No two tools appear to do the same thing.
Naming Consistency5/5All tool names follow a consistent verb_noun pattern using snake_case: get_<entity> or get_<entity>_<relationship>. The naming is predictable and systematic, making it easy for an agent to infer function from name.
Tool Count4/534 tools is on the higher side but appropriate for a comprehensive FRED API wrapper covering categories, series, releases, sources, tags, observations, and regional data. Each tool serves a distinct API endpoint, so the count is justified.
Completeness5/5The tool set covers the full FRED API domain: browsing hierarchies (categories, releases, sources), searching series and tags, fetching observations, vintage dates, regional data, and updates. No obvious missing operations for a read-only data server.
Average 4.2/5 across 34 of 34 tools scored.
See the Tool Scores section below for per-tool breakdowns.
- No community issues in the last 6 months
- 138 commits in the last 12 weeks
- Last stable release on
- No critical vulnerability alerts
- No high-severity vulnerability alerts
- No code scanning findings
- CI is failing
This repository is licensed under Apache 2.0.
This repository includes a README.md file.
No tool usage detected in the last 30 days. Usage tracking helps demonstrate server value.
Tip: use the "Try in Browser" feature on the server page to seed initial usage.
This repository includes a glama.json configuration file.
If you are the author, simply .
If the server belongs to an organization, first add
glama.jsonto the root of your repository:{ "$schema": "https://glama.ai/mcp/schemas/server.json", "maintainers": [ "your-github-username" ] }Then . Browse examples.
How to sync the server with GitHub?
Servers are automatically synced at least once per day, but you can also sync manually at any time to instantly update the server profile.
To manually sync the server, click the "Sync Server" button in the MCP server admin interface.
How is the quality score calculated?
The overall quality score combines two components: Tool Definition Quality (70%) and Server Coherence (30%).
Tool Definition Quality measures how well each tool describes itself to AI agents. Every tool is scored 1–5 across six dimensions: Purpose Clarity (25%), Usage Guidelines (20%), Behavioral Transparency (20%), Parameter Semantics (15%), Conciseness & Structure (10%), and Contextual Completeness (10%). The server-level definition quality score is calculated as 60% mean TDQS + 40% minimum TDQS, so a single poorly described tool pulls the score down.
Server Coherence evaluates how well the tools work together as a set, scoring four dimensions equally: Disambiguation (can agents tell tools apart?), Naming Consistency, Tool Count Appropriateness, and Completeness (are there gaps in the tool surface?).
Tiers are derived from the overall score: A (≥3.5), B (≥3.0), C (≥2.0), D (≥1.0), F (<1.0). B and above is considered passing.
Tool Scores
- Behavior3/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is known. The description adds the specific output fields and an example id, but does not disclose further behavioral traits such as error behavior or existence requirements. This is adequate for a simple read-only tool.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single concise sentence that front-loads the action, provides an example, and lists the return fields. It is directly scannable and contains no unnecessary words or repetition.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool is simple with one well-documented parameter, strong annotations, and an output schema. The description covers the core purpose and return fields sufficiently for an agent to select and invoke the tool correctly. No additional context is needed.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The single parameter release_id is fully described in the schema with a minimum value and an example. The description repeats the same example (53 = GDP) but adds no additional semantic meaning beyond what the schema already provides. With 100% schema coverage, the baseline score of 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the action (fetch), the resource (a FRED data release by id), and the scope (returns its name, press-release flag, and link). This specific field list distinguishes it from sibling tools like get_release_series or get_release_dates that fetch related data rather than the release metadata itself.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines2/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. It does not mention that this is for release metadata only, nor does it reference sibling tools like get_release_series or get_release_dates. The only implied usage is having a release id.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, destructiveHint. Description adds behavioral context: pagination metadata, optional search text, sort direction, and result limit. This goes beyond annotations to clarify filtering and output structure.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Description is a single, well-structured sentence that front-loads the main purpose and lists optional filters efficiently. No unnecessary words, every clause adds value.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the presence of an output schema and rich annotations, the description covers the tool's core functionality and optional parameters. It does not discuss return details, but output schema handles that. Minor gap: could mention sorting default (tags ordered by series count), but that's in schema for 'sort' parameter.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents each parameter. Description provides overall context ('pagination metadata') but does not add detail beyond what the schema provides for individual parameters. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose4/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Description clearly states 'List the tags used by the series in a FRED release' with additional details like pagination metadata. However, it does not explicitly differentiate from sibling tools like get_release_related_tags, though the context 'tag facets for browsing a release' hints at its specific purpose.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines3/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Description implies usage: use when you need tags of a release with optional filters. But no explicit when-not or direct alternatives among siblings (e.g., get_tags vs get_release_tags). Usage context is implied but not explicit.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint and idempotentHint. The description adds useful behavioral context: explains what vintage dates represent and mentions sort/limit support. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two concise sentences, front-loaded with purpose, no fluff. Every sentence adds value.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a read-only list tool with output schema, the description covers what vintage dates are and mentions key parameters. Lacks typical use case examples but is sufficient.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% and descriptions of parameters are already provided. The description only loosely references sort and limit without adding new meaning.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Clearly states the verb 'list' and the resource 'vintage dates of a FRED series'. Adds context explaining that these are dates of revisions/new releases, which distinguishes it from other series tools like get_observations or get_series_updates.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines2/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like get_observations or get_series_updates. Does not specify prerequisites or exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare read-only and idempotent behavior, so the burden is low. The description adds context about pagination metadata and sorting/limits, which enriches understanding beyond annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences, front-loaded with the primary action, no wasted words. Efficient and clear.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple list tool with full schema and annotations, the description adequately covers purpose and behavior. Lacks usage guidelines, but annotations and schema fill other gaps.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description mentions pagination metadata and supports sort direction and limit, but does not add significant detail beyond the schema's existing descriptions.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool lists releases for a FRED data source, with a specific verb and resource, and distinguishes from siblings by specifying 'produced by a FRED data source' rather than all releases.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines2/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
No guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like get_releases or get_source. The description does not provide context for exclusion or mention sister tools.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior3/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already cover read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive behavior, so the bar is lower. However, the description adds no additional behavioral context beyond what the schema provides (e.g., default ordering is in schema for sort). It simply restates the operation without extra transparency about edge cases or response behavior.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is exactly two sentences, front-loaded with the primary purpose and concisely listing optional capabilities. No filler or redundant information; every sentence earns its place.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a 5-parameter tool with 100% schema coverage, read-only annotations, and an output schema, the description provides sufficient information for an agent to select and invoke the tool correctly. It captures the core behavior and optional filters without needing to explain return values or safety details.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema fully documents all parameters. The description's mention of 'search text', 'sort direction', and 'result limit' summarizes the schema but does not add new meaning or clarify relationships beyond what is already in the parameter descriptions.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the resource (tags) and operation (list tags that co-occur with all seed tags within a FRED release), and distinguishes it from siblings like get_related_tags by specifying 'within a FRED release' and 'all of them' (AND semantics).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines3/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies the use case (when you have seed tags and want co-occurring tags within a release), but it does not explicitly mention alternatives or exclusions, such as when to prefer get_related_tags or get_release_tags. No explicit when/when-not guidance is provided.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate readOnly, idempotent, not destructive. The description adds behavioral context about pagination metadata and support for sort direction/limit, which aligns with annotations. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness4/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single concise sentence that covers the core purpose and key features. It is front-loaded with the main action and resource. Could be slightly improved with structured clarity, but overall efficient.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple list tool with two parameters and an output schema, the description provides sufficient context: what is listed, with pagination metadata, and supported parameters. It is complete enough for an agent to understand the tool's behavior.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so parameters are fully described in the schema. The description simply echoes that sort direction and limit are supported, adding no additional semantic detail beyond what the schema provides.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states it lists FRED data sources, provides a concrete example (Bureau of Economic Analysis), and specifies it includes pagination metadata. This distinguishes it from sibling tools like get_source (singular) and get_source_releases.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines3/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives. It only describes what the tool does, with no exclusions or conditions. While sibling context suggests it is for listing all sources, no direct guidance is provided.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior3/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is clear. The description adds useful behavioral nuance about co-occurrence with all seed tags and category scoping, but does not detail return format or pagination. With annotations covering safety, this is adequate but not exceptional.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences, front-loaded with the core purpose, and no redundant wording. Every word contributes to understanding the tool's function and options.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the output schema exists and annotations cover safety, the description provides sufficient context for a read-only, moderately complex tool. It explains the core behavior and optional filters, though it could mention default ordering or the root category, but these are already in the schema.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so parameters are already fully documented. The description only loosely echoes the optional filters ('Optionally filter by search text; supports sort direction and a result limit') without adding meaning beyond the schema. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb ('list') and identifies the resource ('tags') with a clear scope ('co-occur with all of them within a FRED category'). It also explains the practical use case ('refine a category browse by discovering adjacent tags'), which distinguishes it from global tag tools like get_related_tags.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Provides clear usage context ('within a FRED category', 'refine a category browse') that signals when to use this tool. However, it does not explicitly mention alternatives or exclusions (e.g., when to use get_related_tags instead), so it falls short of a full 5.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint=false, covering the safety profile. The description adds functional details beyond annotations: it mentions pagination metadata, optional search text filtering, sort direction, and result limits. No contradictions with annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two sentences, front-loaded with the primary action ('List the tags'), and each clause adds relevant functional detail. No verbose or irrelevant content.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the read-only nature, complete parameter schema, and existing output schema, the description is sufficient. It covers the core purpose, optional filtering/pagination, and correct scope. Minor omission: category_id is not explicitly mentioned in the description, but schema handles it.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with descriptions for all four parameters. The description summarizes search_text, sort, and limit functionality, which aligns with schema descriptions. It adds minor context about pagination metadata but does not significantly enhance understanding beyond the schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool lists tags used by series in a FRED category, explicitly identifying it as tag facets for browsing a category. This specific verb+resource formulation distinguishes it from siblings like get_tags (global tags) and get_category_series (series within a category).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines3/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The phrase 'the tag facets for browsing a category' implies when this tool is appropriate, but it does not explicitly state when to use it versus alternatives or mention exclusions. No other tools are referenced as alternatives, so guidance remains implicit.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds meaningful behavioral context about ALFRED point-in-time/vintage behavior and the constraint that realtime_start/realtime_end be used together, going beyond the annotations without contradicting them.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences front-load the core purpose, then efficiently summarize optional capabilities and the special ALFRED case. Every sentence earns its place with no filler or redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For an 11-parameter read-only tool with an output schema, the description covers the primary function, optional transforms, and the critical ALFRED usage nuance. Parameter-level constraints live in the schema, so the description does not need to repeat them; the only notable gap is lack of sibling-tool differentiation.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already explains every parameter (units enums, aggregation method, realtime constraints, etc.). The description restates some high-level capabilities and adds a compound hint for realtime_start/realtime_end, but it does not materially add meaning beyond the rich schema, so baseline 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose4/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Description uses a specific verb ('Fetch') and clearly identifies the resource ('a FRED series' observations') with output described as date/value pairs plus ALFRED real-time periods. It is unambiguous but does not explicitly distinguish itself from sibling tools like get_series_data or get_series_vintagedates, so it misses the top score.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Provides clear context for when to use the tool (fetching observations with optional date range, units, aggregation, sort, limit) and gives explicit ALFRED guidance: realtime_start/realtime_end must be set together, and same date gives a point-in-time snapshot. It does not name alternative tools or state exclusions, so it stops short of a 5.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint. The description adds value by mentioning pagination metadata (total count, offset, limit) and ordering capabilities, providing behavioral context beyond the annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single, well-structured sentence that is front-loaded with the core action (list series) and additional behaviors (pagination, ordering). Every part is concise and relevant.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool has 4 parameters (1 required), an output schema exists, and the description covers purpose and primary behaviors, it is fairly complete. Minor gaps like error handling are acceptable for this type of tool.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, and the description mentions parameters like ordering, sort direction, and limit. However, it does not add additional meaning beyond what the schema descriptions already provide. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool lists FRED series published in a release and mentions pagination metadata. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools by specifying the resource (series in a release) and the verb (list).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines3/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description indicates the tool supports ordering, sort direction, and limit, but does not provide explicit guidance on when to use this versus alternatives like get_release or get_release_dates. Usage context is implied but no exclusions or when-not-to-use are given.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior3/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare read-only, open-world, and idempotent behavior. The description adds pagination metadata details (total count, offset, limit), which is useful context beyond annotations, but no additional side-effect information or edge cases.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two concise sentences, front-loaded with purpose, no fluff. Every word earns its place.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a read-only search tool with an output schema, annotations, and fully described parameters, the description is adequate. It covers core behavior and return metadata without needing to explain every option.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100% with all parameters documented (text, limit, order_by, sort). The description doesn't add parameter-level detail beyond mentioning 'text' implicitly, so it stays at baseline.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the verb 'Search', the resource 'FRED series', and the key parameter 'text'. It also mentions the return of pagination metadata, distinguishing it from tools like get_series (specific series retrieval) and other search-related tools for tags.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The context is clear: use this tool to find series by text. It doesn't explicitly name alternatives or exclusions, but the purpose strongly implies when to use it.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior3/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is clear. The description adds the tree-walking semantics and the role of id 0, providing some context beyond annotations, but no additional behavioral details like pagination or ordering.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two sentences, front-loaded with the action and resource, and every word adds value. It is highly concise without being under-specified.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple one-parameter read-only tool with full annotations and an output schema, the description is complete. It clearly explains the tool's purpose and the special root category case.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100% and the parameter description already explains the root id 0. The tool description adds no new parameter information beyond what the schema provides, hence baseline 3.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses specific verb 'List' and identifies the resource as 'child categories of a FRED category', with a clear note about id 0. It distinguishes from sibling tools by stating it is 'the primary way to walk the category tree downward'.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies when to use the tool (to traverse down the category tree) and gives the special instruction for id 0. However, it does not explicitly mention alternatives or when-not-to-use, so it falls short of a perfect score.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already provide readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint. The description adds specific metadata fields returned, which is helpful behavioral context beyond the annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Single sentence, well-front-loaded with the verb 'Fetch metadata' and includes key details. No unnecessary words.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the simple single-parameter tool and the presence of an output schema, the description adequately lists the returned metadata fields, making it complete for agent use.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, and the description provides an example of series_id but does not add meaning beyond what the schema already states. Baseline 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool fetches metadata for a FRED series by its id, listing specific metadata fields (title, frequency, etc.), distinguishing it from sibling tools that deal with categories, releases, or tags.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines3/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage for retrieving series metadata but does not explicitly state when to use vs. alternatives or when not to use it. Sibling tools are listed but no comparison is made.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior3/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already provide readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint, covering safety and idempotency. The description adds no new behavioral details beyond confirming it fetches data. It does not contradict annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single, well-structured sentence that conveys the tool's purpose and relationship to a sibling tool without any unnecessary words. Every part is informative.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's low complexity (one required parameter, simple purpose), and availability of an output schema, the description is complete enough. It covers what the tool does and how it relates to another tool.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with one parameter (series_id) described in the schema. The description does not add extra meaning or constraints beyond what the schema provides, so baseline score applies.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description explicitly states the purpose: 'Fetch the release a FRED series belongs to', with a specific verb and resource. It also notes this is the reverse of get_release_series, distinguishing it from a sibling tool.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description clearly indicates when to use this tool (given series id, find its release) and contrasts it with get_release_series, providing context on the relationship. While it doesn't explicitly state when not to use it, the context is sufficient.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior3/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint. The description adds no behavioral context beyond what annotations provide, so it meets the baseline but adds little extra value.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences, front-loaded with the main action and sibling reference. No wasted words.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple tool with one parameter, comprehensive annotations, and an output schema (not shown but exists), the description is complete, including the reverse relationship hint.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema description covers the single 'series_id' parameter with an example. Description does not add further parameter details, so baseline score of 3 is appropriate given 100% schema coverage.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the action ('List the tags'), the resource ('FRED series'), and explicitly distinguishes from a sibling tool ('the reverse of get_tags_series').
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides a clear context by naming the sibling tool 'get_tags_series' as the reverse operation, implying when to use each. However, it does not include explicit when-not or alternative scenarios.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive behavior. The description adds behavioral context by mentioning 'pagination metadata' and describing the tool as a browse axis, which is beyond what annotations provide. No contradiction.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three concise sentences, front-loaded with the primary action. Each sentence adds value: purpose, analogy, capabilities. No unnecessary words.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's simplicity (2 optional parameters, rich annotations, output schema present), the description covers the essential purpose and key features. It doesn't explain return values, but the output schema handles that. Minor gap: could clarify pagination metadata structure, but overall sufficient.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents both parameters (sort and limit) with descriptions. The description adds little beyond stating 'Supports sort direction and a result limit', which doesn't provide additional semantic detail over the schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the verb 'List' and resource 'FRED data releases', providing an example 'Gross Domestic Product'. It differentiates from sibling tools by describing it as a browse axis parallel to categories, thus distinguishing it from other release-related tools like get_release.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides context for when to use this tool ('A browse axis parallel to categories'), implying it's for browsing releases similarly to category browsing. However, it lacks explicit exclusions or guidance on when to use alternatives like get_release or get_release_dates.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, destructiveHint false. Description adds that it lists co-occurring tags, which is key behavioral context. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences, no redundancy, every word adds value. Front-loaded with core operation.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Complete enough given the 5 parameters and output schema. Does not specify tag ordering (by series count) but that can be inferred from schema or default behavior.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with clear descriptions for all 5 parameters. The description's mention of optional text filtering, sort direction, and limit adds minimal value beyond the schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Description clearly states the verb 'list' and the resource 'tags that co-occur with all seed tags among series matching a full-text search'. It distinguishes from siblings like 'get_related_tags' by specifying the co-occurrence and series search constraints.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Description implies usage when seed tags and a search text are given, and optional filters. It does not explicitly mention alternatives or when not to use, but the specific scenario is clear.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint=false. The description adds context about pagination metadata and optional sorting/filtering, which is valuable beyond annotations. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two concise sentences that front-load the main purpose and include key capabilities. No superfluous text.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
With full schema coverage, output schema present, and strong annotations, the description is adequate. It could mention what pagination metadata includes, but the output schema likely covers that. Overall complete for the tool's complexity.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. The description rephrases what the schema says (optional filter, sort, limit). It does not add new meaning or usage details beyond the schema descriptions.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool lists tags on series matching a full-text search, with specific details like pagination and optional filters. It differentiates from siblings like get_series_tags (for a specific series) by focusing on search results.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage for narrowing down search results via tags, and mentions optional filtering. It does not explicitly state when not to use or list alternatives, but the purpose is sufficiently clear for agent selection.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already cover safety (readOnly, idempotent, non-destructive). The description adds behavioral context about pagination metadata and ordering/sort/limit capabilities, which helps the agent understand output shape and options beyond the schema.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single, information-dense sentence that introduces the action, the scope, and the key features. No wasted words.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness4/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the output schema and annotations, the description is sufficient. It explains the AND-tag behavior, pagination, and supported options, though it doesn't detail return fields beyond 'pagination metadata' (covered by output schema).
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema descriptions cover 100% of parameters, including tag_names semantics ('all' tags). The description mentions ordering and limit but doesn't add new semantics; baseline 3 is appropriate as schema does the heavy lifting.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb ('List'), identifies the resource ('FRED series'), and specifies the filter ('carrying ALL of the given tags (faceted discovery)'). This clearly distinguishes it from siblings like get_series (all series) or get_series_tags (tags for a series).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
It states a clear context: 'faceted discovery' for finding series by multiple tags. It does not explicitly list when not to use or name alternatives, but the 'ALL' qualifier differentiates it from tag search (get_related_tags) and series search.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive. The description adds that id 0 is the root and that the returned data includes name and parent id, which is useful behavioral context beyond the annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
A single sentence that front-loads the action and includes parenthetical detail without redundancy. Every word earns its place.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's simplicity, rich annotations, and an existing output schema, the description covers the essential usage context completely.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema already provides 100% coverage, describing category_id as the FRED category id with 0 as root. The description repeats the root information but adds no new parameter semantics.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the verb 'fetch', the resource 'FRED category', and the input 'by its id', and specifies the output fields (name and parent category id). This distinguishes it from sibling tools that fetch children, related tags, or series.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
It clearly implies usage when you have a category id and need its metadata, but does not explicitly mention alternatives or exclusions, so it stops short of full guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare read-only, idempotent, open-world, and non-destructive behavior. The description adds value by warning that results are 'Often empty' and explaining that this represents cross-links to sibling topics, which is useful behavioral context beyond the annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single, front-loaded sentence that conveys purpose, distinctions, and a behavioral warning in under 25 words. Every phrase contributes information; no filler.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple single-parameter read-only tool with rich annotations and an output schema, the description provides everything needed: purpose, distinction from hierarchy, and empty-result warning. No missing information that the agent needs to select and call the tool correctly.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100% — the sole parameter category_id is fully documented in the schema. The description adds no additional parameter-level detail, so the baseline of 3 applies.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb ('List') and clearly identifies the resource ('categories related to a FRED category'). It distinguishes itself from the parent/child hierarchy, setting it apart from the sibling tool get_category_children. The phrase 'cross-links to sibling topics elsewhere in the tree' further clarifies the unique purpose.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides clear context: it is for related/cross-link categories, not the hierarchy. It also notes 'Often empty', implying limited utility. However, it does not explicitly name alternative tools like get_category_children, so it stops short of explicit when-to-use/when-not-to-use guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive behavior. The description adds useful context about pagination metadata (total count, offset, limit) and supports ordering/sort/limit, which are not fully captured by the annotations. No contradictions with annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single, well-structured sentence that leads with the primary action and then lists key features. Every word contributes value, and there is no redundancy or filler.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's moderate complexity, the presence of annotations, a complete input schema, and an output schema, the description adequately covers the essential behavior. It mentions pagination and ordering, which are key aspects, and does not need to explain return values since an output schema exists.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The input schema has 100% description coverage, so parameters are already well-documented. The description adds a high-level summary of capabilities ('ordering, sort direction, result limit') but does not provide significant additional detail beyond the schema. The baseline of 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's purpose: to list FRED series belonging to a category. It uses specific verbs ('List') and identifies the resource ('FRED series that belong to a category'), which distinguishes it from sibling tools like get_category (category info) or get_category_children (subcategories).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description provides clear context on when to use the tool (when you need series in a category) but does not explicitly mention alternatives or when not to use it. The purpose is unambiguous enough for an agent to infer usage, but it lacks the explicit exclusions or alternative tool references seen in higher-scoring examples.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already cover readOnly, idempotent, and nondestructive behavior. Description adds value by disclosing the unpaginated list and wrapping format as {count, sources}, which is beyond what annotations provide.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two concise sentences with no wasted words. Purpose is front-loaded, and format details follow efficiently.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the low complexity, rich annotations, and presence of output schema, the description fully completes the picture by specifying the return format and unpaginated nature.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% and already describes the 'release_id' parameter sufficiently. Description adds no additional semantic detail beyond the schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Description clearly states the action ('List'), the resource ('FRED data sources a release draws from'), and explicitly distinguishes from the sibling tool 'get_source_releases' by calling it the reverse.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Implicitly provides usage guidance by referencing the reverse operation, but lacks explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use criteria.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint=false. The description adds value beyond annotations by clarifying the tool is a reverse lookup and providing hierarchical context ('where it sits in the category tree'). No contradictions or omissions. Slight deduction because it could mention the output structure explicitly, but output schema reduces need.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is a single, well-structured sentence. It starts with the action verb, includes the core purpose, and adds context efficiently. No unnecessary words.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool has a single parameter, full annotations, an output schema, and a clear description that distinguishes it from siblings, the description is complete. It provides all needed context for an agent to select and invoke correctly.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% and the input schema provides a detailed description for series_id with examples. The tool description does not add extra parameter information, but that is acceptable since the schema fully covers it. Baseline of 3 is appropriate.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses the verb 'List' and explicitly states the action: 'list the categories a FRED series belongs to'. It also provides context by noting it's the reverse of get_category_series, clearly differentiating it from siblings. The purpose is specific and unambiguous.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description gives clear usage context by naming the alternative tool (get_category_series) and explaining the reverse relationship. This helps the agent choose between them. However, it does not explicitly state when not to use this tool or provide exclusion criteria.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint. Description adds return details (group, popularity, series count) and filtering behavior, providing useful context beyond annotations.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two concise sentences with front-loaded main action. Every sentence adds value without redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given full schema coverage and presence of output schema, the description covers the tool's purpose, optional parameters, and return structure adequately for selection and invocation.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with parameter descriptions already present. Description reiterates filtering by search text but does not add significant new semantics beyond what the schema provides.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Clearly states 'Browse or search FRED's tag vocabulary' with specific verb-resource pair. Distinguishes from sibling tools like get_related_tags by focusing on the whole vocabulary with optional filtering.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Explains optional filtering by search text and return content. Implies browsing vs. filtering, but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus sibling tag tools like get_category_tags.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior5/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
The description adds substantial behavioral context beyond the readOnlyHint/idempotentHint annotations: all six arguments are required, the output is nested under a top-level meta object (mirroring FRED's envelope), and the API returns the full unpaged cross-section, which can exceed 250,000 characters for county. This is exactly the kind of detail that helps an agent anticipate response size and structure.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is dense but every sentence earns its place: purpose, required arguments, output structure, and a critical size warning. It is front-loaded with the core purpose and remains focused without redundant phrasing.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
With an output schema present and full parameter documentation, the description fills the remaining contextual gaps: the meta envelope layout, the unpaged nature of the response, and the practical size implications. It gives an agent everything needed to invoke the tool correctly and interpret the result.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so the schema already documents all six parameters thoroughly (e.g., units being a free-text label, date format, region_type enum). The description restates that all arguments are required but does not add new parameter-level insights beyond what is in the schema, matching the baseline for full schema coverage.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description opens with a specific verb ('fetch') and precise resource ('region cross-section for a series group'), enumerating the region types (state, county, MSA, country, BEA). This clearly distinguishes it from the many series/data siblings in the tool list, such as get_series_data or get_observations.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description clearly indicates when to use the tool: when a regional breakdown of a series group is needed for a specific date. The size caveat ('prefer state, bea, or country unless you need that granularity') provides practical guidance on region_type selection, but it does not explicitly name alternative tools or state when not to use it compared to siblings.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior5/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, openWorldHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, establishing a safe read operation. The description adds valuable behavioral context beyond annotations: it specifies that the tool returns 'pagination metadata' and that tags co-occur with *all* seed tags (AND semantics), which clarifies the actual behavior.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is two sentences, succinct, and front-loaded with the core operation. The first sentence states purpose and use case; the second covers optional filtering and return format. No wasted words.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The tool has a moderate number of parameters (4) but a rich schema and output schema, plus strong annotations. The description covers purpose, usage context, filtering, and return/pagination behavior. The presence of an output schema removes the need to detail return values. This is complete for a read-only listing tool.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds minor context by framing tag_names as 'seed tags' and mentioning 'search text' and 'pagination metadata,' but the schema already describes each parameter well (e.g., sort order defaults, minItems for tag_names). No significant additional semantic value is provided.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the tool's function: given seed tags, list tags that co-occur with all of them. It uses a specific verb ('list') and resource ('tags') and distinguishes itself from siblings like get_tags or scoped related-tag tools by emphasizing 'co-occur with all' and 'adjacent tags'.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explicitly suggests when to use it: 'use it to discover adjacent tags and refine a faceted search.' It also mentions optional search_text filtering. However, it does not name alternative tools (e.g., get_category_related_tags) or state when not to use it, so it stops short of full exclusionary guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior5/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
The description augments the annotations (readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint) with concrete behavioral details: pagination metadata, default ordering (oldest first), sort direction, result limit, and the ability to include future dates with no data. This goes beyond the structured hints and adds meaningful context.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two concise sentences front-load the main purpose and then enumerate supported features. Every word contributes value; no filler or redundant phrasing.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
The description covers the tool's scope, defaults, available options, and even hints at return content (pagination metadata). With an output schema present and strong annotations, the description sufficiently completes the picture for an agent to select and invoke the tool correctly.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, so the schema fully documents all parameters. The description adds minor context (e.g., default sort order) but mostly restates what the schema already covers. Baseline 3 is appropriate because the description doesn't significantly enhance parameter meaning.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb 'List' and clearly identifies the resource: 'publication dates of ONE FRED release (its calendar)'. It also distinguishes from siblings by explicitly limiting scope to a single release, contrasting with get_releases_dates which handles multiple releases.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies when to use this tool—when you need the calendar for one specific FRED release—but does not explicitly name alternatives or state exclusions. It lacks a direct 'use this instead of X' statement, so it falls short of a 5 but provides clear contextual guidance.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior5/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already provide readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, destructiveHint. The description adds behavioral details: pagination metadata, newest-first default, sort direction, result limit, and inclusion of future dates. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Three sentences, front-loaded with the core purpose. Every sentence adds value without redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the presence of an output schema and comprehensive annotations, the description covers all necessary context: scope, default behavior, and optional parameters.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters3/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline 3. The description restates parameter purposes (sort direction, limit, include dates without data) but does not add new meaning beyond the schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states it lists publication dates of ALL FRED releases, functioning as a release calendar. The use of 'ALL' distinguishes it from sibling tools like 'get_release_dates' which likely filter by a specific release.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies use for broad calendar view by emphasizing 'ALL FRED releases', indirectly distinguishing from siblings. No explicit when-not or alternative wording, but the context is clear enough.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, destructiveHint=false. Description adds value by specifying the exact return fields (title, region type, units, frequency, span), which goes beyond what annotations provide. No behavioral contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Single, well-structured sentence with front-loaded key information. Every word adds value; no fluff.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a simple tool with one required parameter, high schema coverage, and an output schema, the description is entirely sufficient. It covers the tool's purpose, input, and output comprehensively.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters4/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100% with a clear description and example for series_id. Description adds context by explaining that the parameter must be a regional series_id and that the response depends on it, including a list of output fields. This is above the baseline of 3 because the description enriches understanding.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
Clearly states the verb (fetch), resource (series-group metadata), and scope (for a regional series). Distinguishes from siblings by explicitly mentioning 'GeoFRED / Maps' and 'regional series', which sets it apart from general series tools like get_series_data or get_series.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
Describes what input to provide (a regional series_id) and what output to expect (group metadata). While not explicitly stating when not to use it or naming alternatives, the context of 'regional series' implicitly guides the agent to use this instead of general series tools.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint. The description adds behavioral details beyond annotations: ordering by last-updated time, the mutual requirement of start_time and end_time, and the datetime format hint. No contradictions.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Two sentences with no wasted words. The main purpose is front-loaded, and all additional detail is directly relevant.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's complexity (4 optional parameters, output schema present), the description fully covers purpose, filtering options, and time window constraints. No gaps.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters4/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema description coverage is 100%, but the description adds value by explaining the filter enum values ('all', 'macro', 'regional') and the mutual requirement of start_time and end_time with format specificity.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description uses a specific verb 'List' and a clear resource 'FRED series', distinguishes from siblings by focusing on 'updated most recently', and mentions 'pagination metadata' which sets it apart from other series tools.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explains when to use ('a 'what changed' feed'), and provides guidance on optional narrowing with filter and time window. It explicitly states that start_time and end_time must be given together, but does not mention alternatives or when not to use.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior4/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, destructiveHint=false. The description adds that it returns name and link, complementing the safe-read nature. No contradiction.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
Single sentence, no filler, front-loaded with the key action and resource. Every word is informative.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Has output schema, schema coverage 100%, annotations complete. The description is sufficient for an agent to understand and invoke this simple lookup tool.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters4/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema covers 100% with description of source_id. The description adds an example (18 = U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis) and states the return fields, providing additional value beyond the schema.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states the verb 'Fetch', the resource 'FRED data source', and specifies the return fields 'name and link'. It distinguishes from siblings like get_sources (list all) or get_category (different entity).
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explains usage by source ID with an example. While it doesn't explicitly say when not to use (e.g., for listing use get_sources), the context of sibling tools implies the correct use case.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior5/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Beyond the annotations (readOnly, idempotent), the description details the return structure (meta object, data layout), default behavior (most recent date), and notes that results are mirrored faithfully. This adds significant context.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is well-organized: purpose first, then parameter usage, then output structure. Every sentence provides essential information without redundancy.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the output schema exists (referenced), the description covers the return format, default behavior, parameter semantics, and safety profile via annotations. It is fully adequate for a data-fetching tool.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters4/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
Schema coverage is 100%, but the description adds value by explaining the interaction of date and start_date, and clarifies that no date returns the most recent. It also describes the series_id format with an example.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description starts with a specific verb ('fetch') and resource ('regional series values across regions'), clearly distinguishing it from sibling tools like get_series which retrieve metadata or search tags.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explains when to use each parameter (most recent, single date, date range) and gives an example series_id. It does not explicitly state alternatives but the context of regional maps makes it clear.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
- Behavior5/5
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Beyond the annotations (readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, non-destructive), the description adds valuable behavioral details: element_id overrides release_id, returned observation_date is a display label not ISO, and the date is not round-trippable. This fully informs the agent of non-obvious behavior.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Conciseness5/5Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is concise yet comprehensive, using a few well-structured sentences. It front-loads the primary purpose, then covers options and caveats without unnecessary words. The two notes are placed appropriately.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Completeness5/5Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
Given the tool's complexity (hierarchical tree, optional subtrees, observation inclusion, date caveat), the description fully covers what an agent needs to invoke it correctly. The output schema exists, so return value details are not required.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Parameters5/5Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
With 100% schema coverage, the baseline is 3. The description adds significant extra meaning: element_id precedence and cross-release behavior, release_id example, observation_date format and implication, and include_observation_values default logic. This greatly aids correct parameter usage.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Purpose5/5Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description clearly states 'Fetch a FRED release's table tree' with a specific verb and resource, and elaborates on the nested layout. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like get_release_series by focusing on the hierarchical tree structure.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Usage Guidelines4/5Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description explains optional scoping and observation value inclusion, and provides important notes about element_id precedence and date format. However, it does not explicitly contrast with sibling tools or state when not to use.
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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