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

With no annotations, the description carries the transparency burden and does disclose the meaningful return contents (Safety Signal grade, recall count, page URL) and the role of vehicle IDs. It does not mention ordering, pagination, empty-result behavior, or explicitly state that this is a read-only operation.

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?

Two sentences with the purpose front-loaded, the return contents stated, and the workflow role in the final clause. No filler.

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?

For a search tool with no output schema, the description provides return fields and the relationship to other tools, which is enough to invoke it correctly. Minor ambiguity: the vehicle id is implied by 'get the vehicle id' but not listed among the returned match fields.

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%, so the schema already documents query, year, and limit. The description mostly restates the make/model/year filtering and adds no extra syntax or constraints beyond the schema.

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 states a specific action ('Find model years') on a specific resource ('WhichTrim catalogue') with clear filter dimensions. It also signals this is the entry point for the sibling tools, distinguishing it from get_vehicle and the others.

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?

'Use this first to get the vehicle id that the other tools take' explicitly tells the agent when to call this tool in the workflow. It does not enumerate the when-not cases or name specific sibling alternatives, but the placement before the other tools is clear.

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