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, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint, covering safety. The description adds value by specifying the return fields (id, type, params, created_at, last_fired_at, fire_count) and clarifying that it returns the caller's own subscriptions, which is additional context not present in annotations.
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 two sentences, front-loaded with the primary action, and includes usage guidance without unnecessary detail. Every word earns its place.
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?
Given the simple parameter set, rich annotations, and the absence of an output schema, the description provides sufficient context by listing the return fields and usage scenario. It fully enables an agent to understand what the tool does and when to invoke it.
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 input schema has 100% description coverage, with the include_inactive parameter fully documented in the schema. The description does not mention this parameter, so it adds no additional meaning beyond what the schema already provides. 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 action: 'List the caller's active subscriptions.' It identifies the specific resource (subscriptions) and scope (caller's). It also distinguishes itself from sibling tools like subscribe and unsubscribe by mentioning review and cancel purposes.
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 sentence 'Use this to review what you're monitoring before adding more or to find an id to cancel' provides explicit usage context, implying when this tool is appropriate relative to subscribe/unsubscribe. However, it does not explicitly name alternatives or state when not to use it.
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.
Several tools have overlapping purposes: ask_pipeworx, ask_pipeworx_beta, and ask_pipeworx_grounded are near-identical in function, while compare_entities and entity_profile both fan out across data sources. The PLOS-specific tools (article, search, recent) are distinct, but the broader set creates confusion about which entry point to use for general data questions.
The naming is a mix of single-word nouns (article, recent), verb phrases (search_authored_by, validate_claim), and adjective_noun constructions (recent_changes, recent_alerts). While most multi-word names use snake_case, the lack of a consistent prefix or verb_pattern (e.g., some start with action verbs, others with data categories like polymarket_ or pipeworx_) makes the set feel inconsistent.
At 35 tools, the server is heavily over-scoped for a PLOS journal interface—only 4 tools (article, search, search_authored_by, recent) actually relate to PLOS. The remaining 31 tools form a broad Pipeworx/Polymarket data platform, which suggests the server is trying to do far more than its name implies.
For the stated domain (PLOS), the surface is thin: basic search, fetch, recent, and author search lack advanced features like citation metrics, journal browsing, or full-text download links. Conversely, the Pipeworx tools are extensive but unrelated to PLOS, so the set is simultaneously over-complete in unrelated areas and incomplete for its apparent purpose.