list_subscriptionsList the caller's active subscriptions. Returns id, type, params, created_at, last_fired_at, fire_count for each. Use this to review what you're monitoring before adding more or to find an id to cancel.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| include_inactive | No | Include cancelled subscriptions in the response (default false). |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and destructiveHint=false. The description adds behavioral details like returning specific fields and defaulting to active subscriptions. 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.
Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?
The description consists of two concise sentences that front-load the primary action and list key return fields. No unnecessary words.
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 simple list tool with one optional boolean parameter and strong annotations, the description provides sufficient context. It mentions return fields but could note if there is pagination or limit, though not critical.
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?
Schema coverage is 100% with a clear boolean parameter description. The tool description does not add significant meaning beyond what the schema already provides, so baseline 3 is appropriate.
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 clearly states the verb 'List' and the resource 'the caller's active subscriptions', and lists the return fields. This distinguishes it from sibling tools like subscribe/unsubscribe.
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 explicitly tells when to use it: 'review what you're monitoring before adding more or to find an id to cancel', providing clear usage context.
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.
Many tools overlap in general purpose—ask_pipeworx, ask_pipeworx_beta, ask_pipeworx_grounded, deep_research, and validate_claim all retrieve factual data—though their descriptions draw clear mode distinctions. The Polymarket family is similarly dense but each member has a distinct role. An agent must read carefully to pick the right one, but the boundaries are mostly decipherable.
Tool names overwhelmingly follow snake_case verb_noun or domain_noun patterns (search_publications, resolve_entity, polymarket_edges, ask_pipeworx). Minor exceptions like the bare verbs recall and forget break the pattern slightly, and mixed prefixes (pipeworx_, ask_, search_) are still predictable.
At 34 tools, the set is heavy, but the deeper problem is scope mismatch: the server is named Dblp yet only 3 of 34 tools (search_authors, search_publications, search_venues) relate to DBLP. The remaining 31 tools form a broad general-purpose data platform that dwarfs and obscures the apparent purpose.
For a DBLP server, the surface is minimal: only search operations exist, with no record fetch-by-id, citation metrics, or author profile detail beyond what search returns. The bulk of the toolset addresses unrelated domains, leaving the actual DBLP workflow thin and incomplete.