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

Annotations already cover the safety profile (readOnly, idempotent, non-destructive, closed-world), yet the description adds substantial behavior: the 'FREE, unmetered' cost signal, the refusal semantics (year_not_held with years_held, holiday_date_pending), the guarantee that results are never inferred from weekends alone, and the explicit exclusion of sub-national holidays. This is well beyond what structured fields convey.

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?

Front-loaded with the cost signal and the core question, followed by returns and then edge-case behavior; every clause carries operational information. The dense weekend-rule parenthetical is long but earns its place by pre-empting surprising classifications.

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 two-parameter classification tool with an output schema and full annotations, the description covers purpose, return shape, error/refusal paths, cost, and scope exclusions. Nothing an agent needs to call it correctly or interpret a refusal is missing.

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 coverage is 100% and both parameters (date YYYY-MM-DD, ISO alpha-2 country) are fully documented in the schema itself. The description reinforces the scope of 'country' (national calendar, accepted across brands) but adds no syntax or format detail beyond the schema, so the baseline 3 applies.

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?

'Is this date a business day in this country?' is a precise verb+resource, and the stated single-date classification scope implicitly separates it from the range-based siblings (business_days_between, count_working_days, add_business_days). The return summary (reason code, holiday names, adjacent business days) makes the operation unambiguous.

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 sets clear usage boundaries — it explicitly says regional/supranational holidays are not applied, that unheld years are refused, and which weekend regimes apply, which tells an agent when the answer is authoritative. It does not, however, name an alternative sibling (e.g. get_public_holidays_worldwide or count_working_days) or state when to prefer them, so it stops short of full when/when-not routing.

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