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

No annotations are provided, so the description must disclose behavioral traits. It fails to state whether the quote operation has side effects, requires authentication, or is reversible. The term 'quote' hints at a non-mutating action, but this is not explicitly confirmed, leaving the agent uncertain about side effects.

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 purpose, and contains no filler. Every word contributes to understanding the tool's function.

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?

With no output schema and no annotations, the description should cover expected return values and edge cases. It mentions final price, discounts, and payable amount vaguely, but does not explain requoting via orderNo, handling of optional parameters, or any response structure. The tool has 9 parameters, so more detail is needed for complete context.

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?

Schema description coverage is 100% (all 9 parameters have descriptions), so baseline is 3. The description adds no extra parameter-specific meaning beyond what the schema already provides; it only mentions the overall pricing purpose, which does not significantly enhance parameter understanding.

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 tool's purpose: 'Quote an order before creation' identifies the verb (quote) and resource (order) while distinguishing it from sibling create_order. The phrase 'show the user final price, discounts, and payable amount' further clarifies its scope.

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 description provides context on when to use the tool ('before creation', 'show the user final price') but does not explicitly name alternatives or exclusions. It implies use for pre-purchase quoting rather than order creation, which is clear but lacks an explicit 'use create_order instead' pointer.

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