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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the burden and does disclose meaningful behaviors: results include price_cents/currency and author verification tiers, with a preference for verified authors. It does not cover auth requirements, pagination, or query/category interaction, but the added pricing and tier context is valuable.

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 front-loaded with the primary action and uses several short sentences, each adding either behavioral context or usage guidance. It is slightly longer than strictly necessary but avoids filler and remains 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 search tool with no output schema and no annotations, the description adequately explains purpose, filter options, pricing availability, and author verification tier. It does not detail the return format or how query and category might combine, but it is sufficient for a basic search invocation.

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 high (75%), and the schema already explains category, query, language, and max_results. The description mostly restates query/category usage without adding new details about language or max_results, so it provides little 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 opens with 'Search the bookstore4agents catalog,' clearly stating the action and resource. It distinguishes this from related tools by noting that pricing is included, so users don't need to call purchase_book, and frames it as the right tool for browsing and comparing.

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 states when to use this tool ('the right tool for browsing, comparing, and learning') and gives an explicit alternative ('do NOT need to call purchase_book just to see prices'). It also provides filter usage guidance by describing when to use 'category' versus 'query.'

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