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

With no annotations, the description must disclose behavioral traits itself. It says 'Get', suggesting a read-only operation, but does not explicitly confirm the absence of side effects, nor does it mention any limitations or additional behavior such as ordering, pagination, or the meaning of 'recent'. This is a minimal disclosure.

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 a single concise sentence, front-loaded with the action and resource. Every word is purposeful, with no redundant information or 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?

The tool is relatively simple with two params and no output schema. The description explains the core purpose but does not describe the return format or what fields are included in each episode. Given the absence of an output schema, this is a notable gap, making the description only minimally complete.

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 provides 100% coverage for both parameters (podcast_id and limit) with clear descriptions including default and max values. The tool description adds no new semantic meaning beyond restating 'by podcast ID', so a baseline score of 3 is appropriate.

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 function: retrieving recent episodes for a specific podcast using a podcast ID. The verb 'Get' and resource 'episodes' are specific, and the scope ('for a specific podcast by podcast ID') distinguishes it from episode-level tools like get_episode_details and other podcast tools like get_podcast_latest.

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 implies usage: if you need recent episodes for a podcast ID, use this tool. However, it provides no explicit guidance on when not to use it or how it compares to sibling tools such as get_podcast_latest or get_episode_details, so the usage context is only implicit.

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