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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, idempotentHint, destructiveHint=false and openWorldHint=false, so safety is covered. The description adds two things annotations do not: the billing/quota semantics ('does not count as a check') and endpoint parity ('Same data as GET /v1/meta'). No pagination or caching notes, but nothing is needed for a static metadata read.

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?

Three short sentences, front-loaded with the return payload, then the quota caveat, then the REST equivalence. Every sentence carries distinct information; 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?

An output schema exists, so return value structure need not be described; annotations carry the safety profile; there are no parameters. The description adds the two non-structured facts an agent would otherwise guess at (no quota cost, REST parity), leaving no meaningful gap.

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?

Zero parameters, so there is nothing to document and the baseline of 4 applies. The description correctly stays silent on inputs rather than inventing semantics.

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?

Specific verb+resource ('Return the service version and build') followed by a concrete enumeration of what is returned: supported IBAN/VAT countries, GTIN formats, disclaimer, limits. The clause 'Does not count as a check' explicitly differentiates it from the sibling validate_code, so an agent can pick correctly without opening either schema.

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?

'Does not count as a check' tells the agent this call is free of validation-quota implications, which implicitly routes validation work to validate_code and metadata lookups here. Clear context, but there is no explicit when-to-use/when-not statement beyond that single differentiator.

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