Skip to main content
Glama

Scan Dependency

scan_dependency
Read-onlyIdempotent

Composite "should I add this npm package to my project" check in ONE call — fans out across deps.dev (license + advisories + version history) and bundlephobia (gzipped/minified bundle size, dependency count, ESM/tree-shake support). Use whenever an agent asks "is X safe / popular / small" or "what does adding lodash cost me". Returns a summary block (is_latest, license, published_at, advisory_count, bundle_kb_min, bundle_kb_gz, dependency_count, has_esm, tree_shakeable), per-advisory detail, links, and a list of recent alternative versions. NPM ecosystem only in v1; PyPI / Maven / Cargo / Go fall under deps.dev:version directly. Partial failures degrade gracefully — bundlephobia's first measurement on a new version can take 5-30s; sources_failed will list it if it times out, the rest still returns.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
packageYesnpm package name. Scoped packages (e.g. "@types/node") are accepted.
versionNoSpecific version to check (e.g., "18.3.1"). Defaults to the latest published version when omitted.

Schema Changelog

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

  1. Added

TDQS

A4.4/5.0
Behavior4/5

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, destructiveHint=false. Description adds valuable context: partial failures degrade gracefully, bundlephobia first measurement can take 5-30s, sources_failed lists timeouts. No contradictions.

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?

Description is detailed but front-loaded with purpose and use cases. It includes important caveats without being overly verbose. Could be slightly more concise but still effective.

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?

Despite no output schema, description fully explains the return summary block (is_latest, license, etc.), per-advisory detail, links, and alternative versions. Also covers failure modes and ecosystem limitations, making agent invocation robust.

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 description coverage is 100%, so baseline is 3. Description adds minimal extra meaning beyond schema: only mentions that scoped packages are accepted. Does not elaborate on version format or defaults 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 clearly states it's a composite check for npm packages covering deps.dev and bundlephobia. It uses specific verbs ('scan', 'check') and distinguishes itself from sibling tools which focus on other domains.

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?

Explicitly says 'Use whenever an agent asks "is X safe / popular / small" or "what does adding lodash cost me"'. Also notes NPM-only in v1 and provides alternative for other ecosystems ('PyPI / Maven / Cargo / Go fall under deps.dev:version directly').

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

Try in Browser

Glama MCP Gateway

Add one secure layer between your agents and this server.

TDQS

A4/5.0
Disambiguation4/5

Most tools have distinct names and purposes, but the large number of meta-tools (e.g., ask_pipeworx variants, deep_research) and overlapping research/scanning tools (entity_profile, compare_entities, recent_changes) could cause confusion. An agent may need to carefully read descriptions to choose correctly.

Naming Consistency3/5

Snake_case is prevalent but not universal. FDA tools are consistently named with 'fda_' prefix, but there are single-word verbs (remember, recall), camelCase is absent, and some tool names are long and descriptive (scan_competitor_ai_presence). The mix of patterns is readable but not highly consistent.

Tool Count3/5

43 tools is high and includes both dedicated tools and meta-tools that can access thousands more. There is redundancy (e.g., FDA data can be retrieved via fda_drug_approvals or ask_pipeworx). The scope is broad, but many tools could be consolidated. Count feels borderline excessive for the apparent purpose.

Completeness4/5

FDA coverage is excellent with tools for approvals, labels, events, recalls, shortages, warning letters, etc. Other domains (financial, betting, npm) are covered by meta-tools, providing breadth. However, dedicated non-FDA tools are sparse, and the server relies heavily on the universal query tools for completeness.