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 the critical behavioral trait that deletion fails if the credential is referenced, which is essential for the agent to anticipate errors. It does not mention irreversibility or success responses, but the key failure mode is well-covered.

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 only two sentences, front-loaded with the primary action, and immediately provides the crucial caveat. There is no redundant phrasing or unnecessary detail, making it highly concise and well-structured.

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 simple single-parameter delete operation, the description is sufficiently complete: it states what it does, the key precondition, and the consequence of ignoring it. No output schema exists, so no return-value explanation is required, and the coverage adequately supports agent decision-making.

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?

The input schema already describes the sole parameter (`credentialId`) with 100% coverage. The description adds negligible semantic value beyond the schema, simply restating that deletion is by id. Baseline of 3 is appropriate given full schema coverage.

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 action ('Delete') and the resource ('a stored credential by id'). It is easily distinguishable from sibling tools that handle other resources (alert rules, ignore rules, API tests) and from create/list API test credentials.

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 explicitly mentions the failure condition ('Fails if any API test still references it') and provides clear guidance on what to do first ('reassign or delete those API tests first'). This effectively communicates when to use this tool versus first modifying API tests, though it does not name alternative tools explicitly.

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