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zcag
by zcag

readdown-mcp

MCP server for converting web pages to clean, LLM-optimized Markdown.

Lightweight — uses HTTP fetch, no browser needed. Powered by readdown.

Tools

fetch_markdown

Fetch a URL and convert it to clean Markdown with metadata and token count.

convert_html

Convert an HTML string to Markdown. Use when you already have the HTML.

Related MCP server: Robot Resources Scraper

Install

Claude Desktop

Add to claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "readdown": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "github:zcag/readdown-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Cursor

Add to .cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "readdown": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "github:zcag/readdown-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Why readdown?

Most web-fetching MCP servers use @mozilla/readability + turndown (two packages, 65KB). readdown replaces both in a single 5KB package with better LLM optimization:

  • Token-efficient output (fewer tokens = cheaper API calls)

  • Built-in token estimation

  • Metadata extraction (title, author, date)

  • Works server-side with linkedom (no browser DOM needed)

License

MIT

Available Tools

2 tools
convert_htmlA

Convert an HTML string to clean, LLM-optimized Markdown. Use this when you already have HTML content and need it as Markdown.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
htmlYesThe HTML content to convert
urlNoBase URL for resolving relative links and images
include_headerNoInclude title/source/author header in output
rawNoUse full HTML content instead of extracting main article

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It mentions the tool's purpose and context but lacks details on behavioral traits like error handling, performance, or output characteristics (e.g., formatting specifics, limitations).

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is front-loaded with the core purpose in the first sentence and adds a usage guideline in the second, with no wasted words. Every sentence contributes directly to understanding the tool.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given no annotations and no output schema, the description is adequate for basic understanding but lacks details on behavioral aspects and output format. It covers purpose and usage but does not fully compensate for the missing structured information.

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 the schema fully documents all parameters. The description does not add any parameter-specific details beyond what the schema provides, meeting the baseline for high coverage.

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 the specific action ('convert'), resource ('HTML string'), and outcome ('clean, LLM-optimized Markdown'), distinguishing it from the sibling 'fetch_markdown' which likely fetches content rather than converting existing HTML.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

It provides explicit context for when to use ('when you already have HTML content and need it as Markdown'), which helps differentiate from 'fetch_markdown', but does not specify when not to use or mention alternative tools beyond the sibling.

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

fetch_markdownA

Fetch a web page and convert it to clean, LLM-optimized Markdown. Returns the article content with metadata (title, author, date) and token count. Much faster and lighter than browser-based solutions.

ParametersJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
urlYesThe URL of the web page to fetch and convert
include_headerNoInclude title/source/author header in output
rawNoExtract full page content instead of just the main article

TDQS

A3.9/5.0
Behavior3/5

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden. It discloses key behavioral traits: it returns article content with metadata and token count, and is 'much faster and lighter than browser-based solutions.' However, it lacks details on error handling, rate limits, authentication needs, or what 'clean, LLM-optimized' specifically entails.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is appropriately sized and front-loaded, with two sentences that efficiently convey purpose, output, and key benefits. Every sentence adds value without redundancy, making it easy to scan and understand quickly.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness3/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the tool's moderate complexity (3 parameters, no annotations, no output schema), the description is somewhat complete but has gaps. It explains the output includes metadata and token count, but without an output schema, it doesn't detail the return structure. For a tool performing web fetching and conversion, more behavioral context would be helpful.

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 the schema already documents all parameters. The description adds no additional meaning beyond what the schema provides, such as explaining the implications of 'raw' mode or 'include_header' in more detail. Baseline 3 is appropriate when schema does the heavy lifting.

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 the specific action ('fetch a web page and convert it to clean, LLM-optimized Markdown') and distinguishes it from the sibling tool 'convert_html' by emphasizing web fetching and LLM optimization. It explicitly mentions the resource (web page) and output format (Markdown).

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides clear context for when to use this tool ('fetch a web page... faster and lighter than browser-based solutions'), but does not explicitly state when not to use it or mention alternatives beyond the sibling tool. It implies usage for web content extraction with performance benefits.

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

Tool Schema Changelog

Recent tool additions, removals, and schema changes observed during successful MCP inspections. Dates show when Glama detected each change.

  1. 2 tool updatesv0.1.0
    • First observedconvert_html
    • First observedfetch_markdown

TDQS

A4/5.0
Disambiguation5/5

The two tools have clearly distinct purposes: convert_html processes existing HTML strings, while fetch_markdown retrieves and processes web pages. There is no overlap in functionality, making tool selection straightforward for an agent.

Naming Consistency5/5

Both tools follow a consistent verb_noun pattern (convert_html and fetch_markdown), using clear action verbs that describe their operations. The naming is predictable and aligned with their functions.

Tool Count3/5

With only two tools, the server feels minimal for a web content processing domain. While the tools cover core use cases, the scope is thin, potentially limiting agent workflows without additional operations like batch processing or format validation.

Completeness4/5

The tools provide essential coverage for converting HTML to Markdown, both from strings and web pages. However, there are minor gaps, such as no tool for reverse conversion (Markdown to HTML) or handling specific HTML elements, which agents might need to work around.

Maintenance

ActivityInactive
ResponsivenessSyncing

Resources

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