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Match a time to a block

portal_debug_resolve_time_to_block
Read-only

Resolve any timestamp to the nearest indexed block or slot. Use it to debug time windows or build manual block-range queries on blockchain networks.

Instructions

ADVANCED: Resolve a timestamp to the nearest indexed block or slot.

COMMON USER ASKS:

  • Resolve one hour ago on Base

  • Resolve an older time on Polkadot

WHEN TO USE:

  • You are debugging timestamp windows or building a manual block-range query.

  • You want to inspect exact versus estimated timestamp-to-block resolution.

DON'T USE:

  • You just want to query by time; most public tools already accept natural timestamps directly.

EXAMPLES:

  • Resolve one hour ago on Base: {"network":"base-mainnet","timestamp":"1h ago"}

  • Resolve an older time on Polkadot: {"network":"polkadot","timestamp":"2026-04-08T12:00:00Z"}

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
networkYesNetwork name or alias
timestampYesUnix seconds, Unix milliseconds, ISO datetime, or relative input like "1h ago"

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
_uiNoOptional chart, table, and follow-up presentation metadata.
_llmNoHints that help an AI client locate the primary evidence.
_metaNoNetwork, block range, timing, and row-count metadata.
errorNoStructured failure details when the tool cannot complete the request.
itemsNoPrimary result rows when the tool returns a list.
valueNoPrimary result when the tool returns a scalar value.
answerNoConcise answer grounded in the returned blockchain data.
_noticeNoImportant limitation or truncation notice.
displayNoPlain-language labels for presenting the result.
_noticesNoImportant limitations or truncation notices.
_summaryNoHuman-readable summary of the result.
_coverageNoCompleteness of the requested window and result set.
_evidenceNoReplayable arguments, exact-data digest, row count, and completeness receipt.
_orderingNoOrdering guarantees for the returned data.
_executionNoBounded execution and scan details.
_freshnessNoFreshness and finality information for the returned data.
next_stepsNoSafe follow-up actions and continuation guidance.
_paginationNoPagination state and an optional continuation cursor.
investigationNoEvidence paths, useful pivots, and result limitations.
pipes_handoffNoOptional SQD Pipes guidance for custom data needs.
_tool_contractNoTool identity, intent, and supported blockchain families.

Schema Changelog

Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. Changed1 schema field changedv0.8.3
    • addedOutput schema / properties / _evidence
      Added value: +{
      +  "additionalProperties": {},
      +  "description": "Replayable arguments, exact-data digest, row count, and completeness receipt.",
      +  "propertyNames": {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  },
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
  2. Changed5 schema fields changedv0.8.2
    • changedInput schema / $schema
      Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
    • removedInput schema / additionalProperties
      Removed value: -false
    • addedInput schema / properties / timestamp / anyOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "type": "number"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  }
      +]
    • removedInput schema / properties / timestamp / type
      Removed value: -[
      -  "number",
      -  "string"
      -]
    • changedOutput schema / (root)
      Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
      +  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
      +  "additionalProperties": {},
      +  "properties": {
      +    "_coverage": {
      +      "description": "Completeness of the requested window and result set."
      +    },
      +    "_execution": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Bounded execution and scan details.",
      +      "propertyNames": {
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "_freshness": {
      +      "description": "Freshness and finality information for the returned data."
      +    },
      +    "_llm": {
      +      "description": "Hints that help an AI client locate the primary evidence."
      +    },
      +    "_meta": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Network, block range, timing, and row-count metadata.",
      +      "propertyNames": {
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "_notice": {
      +      "description": "Important limitation or truncation notice.",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "_notices": {
      +      "description": "Important limitations or truncation notices.",
      +      "items": {
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "type": "array"
      +    },
      +    "_ordering": {
      +      "description": "Ordering guarantees for the returned data."
      +    },
      +    "_pagination": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Pagination state and an optional continuation cursor.",
      +      "propertyNames": {
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "_summary": {
      +      "description": "Human-readable summary of the result.",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "_tool_contract": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Tool identity, intent, and supported blockchain families.",
      +      "propertyNames": {
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "_ui": {
      +      "description": "Optional chart, table, and follow-up presentation metadata."
      +    },
      +    "answer": {
      +      "description": "Concise answer grounded in the returned blockchain data.",
      +      "type": "string"
      +    },
      +    "display": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Plain-language labels for presenting the result.",
      +      "propertyNames": {
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "error": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Structured failure details when the tool cannot complete the request.",
      +      "properties": {
      +        "code": {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        "origin": {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        },
      +        "retry_after_ms": {
      +          "type": "number"
      +        },
      +        "retryable": {
      +          "type": "boolean"
      +        },
      +        "suggestions": {
      +          "items": {
      +            "type": "string"
      +          },
      +          "type": "array"
      +        },
      +        "summary": {
      +          "type": "string"
      +        }
      +      },
      +      "required": [
      +        "code",
      +        "origin",
      +        "summary",
      +        "retryable",
      +        "suggestions"
      +      ],
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "investigation": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Evidence paths, useful pivots, and result limitations.",
      +      "propertyNames": {
      +        "type": "string"
      +      },
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "items": {
      +      "description": "Primary result rows when the tool returns a list.",
      +      "items": {},
      +      "type": "array"
      +    },
      +    "next_steps": {
      +      "additionalProperties": {},
      +      "description": "Safe follow-up actions and continuation guidance.",
      +      "properties": {
      +        "actions": {
      +          "items": {
      +            "additionalProperties": {},
      +            "propertyNames": {
      +              "type": "string"
      +            },
      +            "type": "object"
      +          },
      +          "type": "array"
      +        },
      +        "continuation": {
      +          "additionalProperties": {},
      +          "propertyNames": {
      +            "type": "string"
      +          },
      +          "type": "object"
      +        },
      +        "custom_data": {
      +          "additionalProperties": {},
      +          "propertyNames": {
      +            "type": "string"
      +          },
      +          "type": "object"
      +        }
      +      },
      +      "required": [
      +        "actions"
      +      ],
      +      "type": "object"
      +    },
      +    "pipes_handoff": {
      +      "description": "Optional SQD Pipes guidance for custom data needs."
      +    },
      +    "value": {
      +      "description": "Primary result when the tool returns a scalar value."
      +    }
      +  },
      +  "type": "object"
      +}
  3. First observedv0.7.9

TDQS

A4.5/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, destructiveHint=false, and openWorldHint=true. The description adds useful behavioral context: it resolves to the 'nearest indexed block or slot' and can help inspect 'exact versus estimated' resolution, which goes beyond the structured annotations.

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

Conciseness5/5

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

The description is well-structured with labeled sections for common uses, when to use, when not to use, and examples. The purpose is front-loaded in the first sentence, and every section contributes actionable guidance without filler.

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

Completeness5/5

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

For a two-parameter tool with a 100% described schema, annotations, and an output schema, the description provides complete enough guidance. It explains when to use the tool, when to avoid it, and includes concrete call examples that an agent can immediately adapt.

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

Parameters4/5

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

Schema description coverage is 100%, so parameters are already documented. The description still adds value with concrete examples mapping 'base-mainnet' and 'polkadot' to the network parameter and showing both relative ('1h ago') and ISO timestamp formats.

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

Purpose5/5

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

The first line states a specific operation: 'Resolve a timestamp to the nearest indexed block or slot.' This clearly distinguishes the tool from sibling query tools such as portal_debug_query_blocks or portal_get_time_series. Examples for Base and Polkadot reinforce the exact scope.

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

Usage Guidelines4/5

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

The description provides explicit WHEN TO USE and DON'T USE sections, which is strong guidance. It tells the agent not to use this for simple time-based queries because 'most public tools already accept natural timestamps directly,' but it does not name a specific sibling tool as the recommended alternative.

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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