Standardize MCP query patterns: explicit date filtering, data freshness validation

[Copilot]

Agentic workflows relied on implicit "latest" data from MCP server without freshness validation or explicit date filtering. This caused potential stale data issues and inconsistent query patterns across workflows.

Changes

Standardized data freshness validation

• All workflows now call get_sync_status() first to validate data age and warm MCP server
• Warn when data >48 hours stale, require disclaimer in generated content
• Prevents publishing articles/analysis with outdated information

// CALL THIS FIRST - validates freshness and warms up server
const syncStatus = get_sync_status({});
const hoursSinceSync = (Date.now() - new Date(syncStatus.last_updated).getTime()) / 3600000;
if (hoursSinceSync > 48) {
  console.warn(`⚠️ DATA MAY BE STALE: ${hoursSinceSync.toFixed(1)} hours since last sync`);
}

Date parameter support matrix

Only 3 of 32 riksdag-regering-mcp tools support explicit date parameters:

• get_calendar_events (from/tom)
• search_regering (from_date/to_date)
• analyze_g0v_by_department (dateFrom/dateTo)

All other tools require post-query filtering by datum, publicerad, or inlämnad fields.

Tool annotations and filtering examples

// Tools requiring post-query filtering
const betankanden = get_betankanden({ rm: "2025/26", limit: 100 });
const recentBetankanden = betankanden.filter(bet => 
  new Date(bet.publicerad) >= new Date(fromDate)
);

Enhanced riksdag-regering-mcp skill (+235 lines)

• MCP Query Best Practices section with data freshness checking
• Cross-referencing strategies (Committee Report Deep Dive, Party Behavior Analysis)
• Troubleshooting guide (7 common issues)
• Query pattern templates (daily monitoring, weekly analysis, MP activity)

Test coverage

35-test validation suite ensures consistency:

• Data freshness validation (6 tests)
• Explicit date filtering (6 tests)
• Post-query filtering docs (2 tests)
• Cross-referencing strategy (1 test)
• Error handling (6 tests)
• MCP tool documentation (6 tests)
• Date best practices (2 tests)
• Workflow compilation (3 tests)
• Regression prevention (2 tests)
• Date parameter matrix (1 test)

Test results: 100% pass rate (35/35) across all 3 workflows
Compilation: 0 errors, 1 cosmetic warning (schedule timing)

Files modified

• .github/workflows/news-evening-analysis.md (+175 lines)
• .github/workflows/news-article-generator.md (+69 lines)
• .github/workflows/news-realtime-monitor.md (+75 lines)
• .github/skills/riksdag-regering-mcp/SKILL.md (+235 lines)
• tests/agentic-workflow-mcp-queries.test.js (+437 lines)

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[github-actions]

🔍 Lighthouse Performance Audit

Category	Score	Status
Performance	85/100	🟡
Accessibility	95/100	🟢
Best Practices	90/100	🟢
SEO	95/100	🟢

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Budget Compliance: Performance budgets enforced via budget.json