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Find Polkadot calls

portal_substrate_query_calls
Read-only

Retrieve raw Substrate or Polkadot call records filtered by pallet/call name, with optional emitted events, subcalls, or extrinsic context. Specify time or block ranges to inspect call activity.

Instructions

Query raw Substrate or Polkadot calls with pallet/call-name filters and optional child-call, emitted-event, or extrinsic context.

COMMON USER ASKS:

  • Recent Balances calls

  • Polkadot calls with emitted events

FIRST CHOICE FOR:

  • raw Substrate or Polkadot call rows, especially when you want the events emitted by those calls

WHEN TO USE:

  • You need raw call records on a Substrate network.

  • You want pallet call activity like Balances.transfer_keep_alive or Ethereum.transact.

  • You want calls plus the events emitted by those calls.

DON'T USE:

  • You want events or aggregate analytics rather than call rows.

EXAMPLES:

  • Recent Balances calls: {"network":"polkadot","timeframe":"1h","call_names":["Balances.transfer_keep_alive"],"limit":20}

  • Polkadot calls with emitted events: {"network":"polkadot","timeframe":"1h","call_names":["ParaInherent.enter"],"include_events":true,"limit":20}

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
limitNoMax calls to return
cursorNoContinuation cursor from a previous response
networkNoSubstrate network name or alias. Optional when continuing with cursor.
to_blockNoEnding block number
timeframeNoTime range (e.g. '1h', '24h'). Alternative to from_block/to_block.
call_namesNoOptional qualified call names like Timestamp.set or Balances.transfer_keep_alive
from_blockNoStarting block number
to_timestampNoEnding timestamp. Accepts Unix seconds, Unix milliseconds, ISO datetime, or relative input like "now".
include_stackNoAttach the parent call stack for each matching call
finalized_onlyNoOnly query finalized blocks
from_timestampNoStarting timestamp. Accepts Unix seconds, Unix milliseconds, ISO datetime, or relative input like "6h ago".
include_eventsNoAttach events emitted directly by each matching call
response_formatNoResponse format: defaults to 'compact' for chat-friendly output. Compact mode keeps requested subcalls, events, and extrinsic context in a smaller inline shape.
include_subcallsNoAttach direct descendant calls inline for each matching call
include_extrinsicNoAttach the parent extrinsic inline for each matching call

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. Changed7 schema fields changedv0.8.2
    • changedInput schema / $schema
      Previous value: -"http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#"New value: +"https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema"
    • removedInput schema / additionalProperties
      Removed value: -false
    • addedInput schema / properties / from_timestamp / anyOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "type": "number"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  }
      +]
    • removedInput schema / properties / from_timestamp / type
      Removed value: -[
      -  "number",
      -  "string"
      -]
    • addedInput schema / properties / to_timestamp / anyOf
      Added value: +[
      +  {
      +    "type": "number"
      +  },
      +  {
      +    "type": "string"
      +  }
      +]
    • removedInput schema / properties / to_timestamp / type
      Removed value: -[
      -  "number",
      -  "string"
      -]
    • changedOutput schema / (root)
      Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
      +  "$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

A4.6/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and destructiveHint=false. The description adds meaningful behavioral context by emphasizing that results are raw call rows, that it can include emitted events, subcalls, and extrensic context, and that it is not for aggregate analytics. It does not contradict any annotations and gives agents a clear sense of what the response represents.

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

Conciseness4/5

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

The description is longer than a single sentence but is well-structured with helpful sections and front-loaded purpose. Some repetition exists across 'COMMON USER ASKS', 'FIRST CHOICE FOR', and 'WHEN TO USE', but each section serves a different routing question, and the examples earn their place.

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 15-parameter query tool with an output schema and safe-read annotations, the description is highly complete. It covers what the tool returns, when to use it, when not to use it, and provides working examples for common requests. The output schema covers return values, so the description does not need to enumerate response fields.

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 the schema already documents all 15 parameters. The description adds value by grouping parameters into conceptual categories ('child-call, emitted-event, or extrensic context') and providing concrete JSON examples with call_names like 'Balances.transfer_keep_alive' and include_events, which clarifies realistic usage beyond the raw schema.

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 description opens with a specific verb and resource: 'Query raw Substrate or Polkadot calls with pallet/call-Name filters and optional child-call, emitted-event, or extrensic context.' This clearly distinguishes it from related tools like portal_substrate_query_events or analytics tools, and the title 'Find Polkadot calls' aligns with this purpose.

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

Usage Guidelines5/5

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

The description includes explicit 'WHEN TO USE' and 'DON'T USE' sections. It tells agents to use this tool for raw call records or call-plus-events needs, and explicitly says not to use it when wanting events or aggregate analytics, making the choice versus siblings like portal_substrate_query_events and portal_substrate_get_analytics straightforward.

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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