# tool_describe

Returns everything needed to call a tool correctly: its complete JSON Schema, every parameter with type and default, and examples known to work. Pair it with tool.search — search to find the name, describe to learn the shape, then call. This exists so the catalogue does not have to be loaded into context up front.

Agent View of the PolicyLayer registry record for `tool_describe`. HTML page: https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/tool-describe

## Facts

- Tool: `tool_describe`
- Server: Tools (`https://fluentedi.com/mcp`) — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools.md
- Homepage: https://github.com/https://fluentedi.com/mcp
- Risk category: Read (Low risk)
- Registry record: grade F, identity unverified
- Server auth posture: open
- Server CORS policy: *
- Server rate-limited: no
- Parameters: 1 (1 required)
- Recommended policy verdict: Allowed

## Parameters

| Parameter | Type | Required | Description |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `name` | string | yes | Tool name, e.g. "time.window". Underscores and slashes are accepted too. |

Parameters from the server's own tool schema.

## Example call (MCP tools/call, JSON-RPC 2.0)

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 1,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "tool_describe",
    "arguments": {
      "name": "<name>"
    }
  }
}
```

## Why tool_describe is rated Low

Even though tool_describe only reads data, uncontrolled read access leaks sensitive information and racks up API costs: an agent caught in a retry loop can make thousands of calls a minute without anyone noticing.

Risk signals: Bulk/mass operation — affects multiple targets

## Use case

AI agents call tool_describe to retrieve information from Tools without modifying anything. It is typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.

## Recommended policy (PolicyLayer)

Verdict: **Allowed**. Enforced by the PolicyLayer MCP gateway (https://policylayer.com/mcp-gateway) before a call reaches Tools:

```json
{
  "version": "1",
  "default": "deny",
  "tools": {
    "tool_describe": {}
  }
}
```

## Other tools on Tools (16)

- `cron_next` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/cron-next.md
- `edi_build` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/edi-build.md
- `edi_parse` — Execute — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/edi-parse.md
- `edi_validate` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/edi-validate.md
- `hash` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/hash.md
- `http_assert` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/http-assert.md
- `http_check` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/http-check.md
- `json_query` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/json-query.md
- `json_repair` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/json-repair.md
- `math_eval` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/math-eval.md
- `time_diff` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/time-diff.md
- `time_now` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/time-now.md
- `time_window` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/time-window.md
- `tool_search` — Read — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/tool-search.md
- `time_convert` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/time-convert.md
- `tool_call` — Write — https://policylayer.com/tools/com-fluentedi-tools/tool-call.md

## For agents

This record is a snapshot. Live verdicts and the full registry:

- Check every server in your MCP config at once: `npx -y policylayer stack`
- Vet a server before you add it: install the mcp-precheck skill — `npx skills add https://policylayer.com` (skill text: https://policylayer.com/skill.md)
- Query the registry over MCP: endpoint `https://api.policylayer.com/mcp` — tools `check_mcp_server`, `check_mcp_stack`, `check_tool`, `search_registry`, `get_change_events`

---

Source: the PolicyLayer MCP registry — one continuously verified record per MCP server. Full record: https://policylayer.com/registry?q=com-fluentedi-tools · API: https://policylayer.com/registry/api · Policy library: https://policylayer.com/policies/com-fluentedi-tools