normalize_dates
Find and normalize dates to ISO
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| text | Yes | Text containing dates |
Find and normalize dates to ISO
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| text | Yes | Text containing dates |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
Input schema / properties / argsRemoved value: -{
- "description": "Tool arguments",
- "properties": {
- "text": {
- "description": "Primary input text",
- "type": "string"
- }
- },
- "type": "object"
-}Input schema / properties / textAdded value: +{
+ "description": "Text containing dates",
+ "type": "string"
+}Input schema / requiredPrevious value: -[]New value: +[
+ "text"
+]Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description must carry the full burden. It does not state whether the tool returns the full text with dates replaced, a list of normalized dates, or how it handles invalid or ambiguous date formats. The minimal description leaves significant ambiguity.
Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description is exceptionally concise at six words, with the core action and target in the front. Every word earns its place, with no filler or redundant information.
Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.
Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?
For a one-parameter tool with no output schema, this is minimally viable but incomplete. The description does not explain the return value format (e.g., modified text vs. extracted dates), which is essential for an agent to use the result correctly. It is adequate for low complexity but lacks edge-case handling.
Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.
Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?
The schema covers 100% of parameters, and the 'text' parameter is described as 'Text containing dates'. The description adds only the normalization context, which is already implied by the tool name. Baseline 3 is appropriate since the schema does the heavy lifting.
Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.
Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?
The description 'Find and normalize dates to ISO' uses a specific verb ('find and normalize') and a clear resource ('dates'), converting them to a standard format. It distinguishes itself from sibling tools like extract_emails or extract_phones by targeting dates specifically.
Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.
Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?
The description implies usage when text contains dates, but provides no explicit guidance on when to choose this over alternatives or any exclusions. It is adequate but under-specified relative to the sibling toolset.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
Add one secure layer between your agents and this server.
Multiple tools have overlapping or identical purposes, such as ocr_url and ocr_image (both OCR from an image URL), compare_texts and text_diff (both compare or diff texts), extract_url and read_url (both extract webpage content), and content_hash and hash_text (both compute hashes). The boundaries between these tools are unclear, causing a high risk of misselection.
Naming conventions are mixed. Many tools use verb_noun (extract_url, validate_email), but others use noun_verb (language_detect, html_clean), single words (advisor, crawl, retrieve), or noun_noun (job_status, page_metadata). This inconsistency makes it harder to predict tool names.
With 100 tools, the server is extremely over-scoped for a generic agent toolkit. While some tools are distinct and useful, the sheer number does not align with a focused purpose; many tools are redundant or highly specialized, and the count exceeds what is typically manageable for an agent to reason about.
The toolkit covers a broad range of utilities including extraction, validation, processing, research, memory, and orchestration. However, there are no CRUD tools for creating/updating/deleting resources, no database or file system operations, and no integration beyond web/API basics. This leaves significant gaps for agents that need general lifecycle management, though it does handle many common tasks.