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

Adds context beyond the readOnly/openWorld annotations: 'Credential-free public Goodreads data' communicates the auth requirement, and 'paginated' signals result paging. Return-value detail is largely covered by the output schema, so this is a reasonable supplement.

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 purpose and return fields, then the routing hint. Slightly wasteful in that it duplicates parameter descriptions already present in the schema, but overall tight with 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?

For a simple two-param read tool with full schema coverage, an output schema, and safety annotations, the description covers purpose, id source, pagination, and auth. Nothing essential to correct invocation 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%, so the baseline is 3. The description restates the schema text verbatim ('page: 1-based page number, default 1. id: Goodreads author id, e.g. 153394.') without adding syntax or constraints beyond what the schema already documents.

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?

States a specific verb and resource ('Returns an author's paginated works list') and enumerates the returned fields (title, author, average rating, ratings count). It is clearly distinguishable from siblings like goodreads_author (author details) and goodreads_book (single book).

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?

Explicitly points to 'goodreads_author to get a Goodreads author,' implying the required author id must be obtained first. Clear context and a named related tool, but no explicit when-not or exclusion guidance.

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