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Books by Author

books.gutendex.by_author
Read-onlyIdempotent

Search for Project Gutenberg books by author name. Optionally filter by language and limit the number of results.

Instructions

List all Project Gutenberg books by a specific author (search by name). Filter by language. Gutendex MIT

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
authorYesAuthor name search (e.g. "Jane Austen", "Mark Twain", "Tolstoy").
languageNoOptional ISO 639-1 language code to filter by language (e.g. "en").
limitNoMax results to return (default 20, max 50).

Output Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
resultNoTool response payload. Shape varies per tool — consult the tool description and inputSchema. May be an object, array, string, or number depending on the upstream provider response.
errorNoPresent only when the call failed. Includes error code, message, request_id, and any provider-specific extras.
Behavior3/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, destructiveHint=false, idempotentHint=true, and openWorldHint=true. The description adds 'Gutendex MIT' (source/license info) but no additional behavioral context beyond what annotations provide. 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.

Conciseness5/5

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

A single, front-loaded sentence covering purpose and key filtering, plus a brief license note. No wasted words.

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?

Given the presence of an output schema and comprehensive annotations, the description provides all necessary context: what the tool does, its main parameter, and the optional filter. Complete for a list-by-author tool.

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

Parameters3/5

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

Schema coverage is 100% with each parameter already described. The description adds 'search by name' which repeats the author param's description. No new meaning beyond 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 states 'List all Project Gutenberg books by a specific author (search by name). Filter by language.' It uses a specific verb ('List') and resource ('books by author'), clearly differentiating from siblings like 'books.gutendex.search' which does general search.

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 implicitly advises use when searching by author name and optionally filtering by language. It does not explicitly contrast with sibling tools, but the specificity of 'by author' makes usage clear.

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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