reverse_dns
Reverse DNS: resolve a public IP address to its PTR hostname.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| ip | Yes | Public IPv4 or IPv6 address |
Output Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| ip | No | ||
| ok | No | ||
| error | No | ||
| hostnames | No |
Reverse DNS: resolve a public IP address to its PTR hostname.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| ip | Yes | Public IPv4 or IPv6 address |
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| ip | No | ||
| ok | No | ||
| error | No | ||
| hostnames | No |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.
Output schema / (root)Previous value: -nullNew value: +{
+ "$schema": "http://json-schema.org/draft-07/schema#",
+ "additionalProperties": {},
+ "properties": {
+ "error": {
+ "anyOf": [
+ {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ {
+ "type": "null"
+ }
+ ]
+ },
+ "hostnames": {
+ "anyOf": [
+ {
+ "items": {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ "type": "array"
+ },
+ {
+ "type": "null"
+ }
+ ]
+ },
+ "ip": {
+ "anyOf": [
+ {
+ "type": "string"
+ },
+ {
+ "type": "null"
+ }
+ ]
+ },
+ "ok": {
+ "anyOf": [
+ {
+ "type": "boolean"
+ },
+ {
+ "type": "null"
+ }
+ ]
+ }
+ },
+ "type": "object"
+}Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
Annotations already indicate readOnlyHint: true, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds that the tool resolves to a PTR hostname, but it does not disclose edge-case behavior (e.g., what happens if no PTR record exists) or any potential rate limits. No contradiction with 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 a single sentence, front-loaded with the tool name and core action, with zero wasted words. It is appropriately sized for the tool's simplicity.
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 a single required parameter, a read-only annotation, and an existing output schema (not shown but signaled), the description is complete. It identifies the input type and output format, and no further details are needed for this straightforward lookup tool.
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 provides 100% coverage with the 'ip' parameter described as 'Public IPv4 or IPv6 address'. The description does not add any additional meaning beyond what the schema already states, so the baseline score of 3 applies.
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 uses a specific verb 'resolve' with a clear object ('public IP address') and outcome ('PTR hostname'), making the tool's purpose immediately obvious. It also distinguishes itself from sibling DNS tools like asn_lookup or mx_lookup by focusing solely on reverse DNS.
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?
Usage is implied (use when you need a PTR hostname for an IP) but there is no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like check_dns or dns_propagation. With 25 sibling tools, clearer differentiation would help an agent select the correct tool.
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 cluster around overlapping diagnostics, such as asn_lookup vs ip_geolocation and website_status vs response_time/redirect_check/http_headers. Descriptions generally clarify the differences, but the boundaries between some tools are not immediately obvious.
Naming conventions are mixed: check_dns and check_ssl use verb-first, while dkim_check, spf_check, and hsts_check use noun-first. There are also varied styles like dns_propagation, domain_expiry, and whois, making the pattern inconsistent but still readable.
At 20 tools, the server falls into the borderline heavy range. Most tools address a distinct diagnostic need, but some could be consolidated, such as website_status overlapping with response_time and redirect_check.
The toolkit covers the core read-only network/domain diagnostic domain well: DNS, email authentication, SSL/TLS, WHOIS, IP intelligence, and website availability. Minor gaps like traceroute or DNSSEC validation exist, but there are no critical missing operations for the apparent purpose.