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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, openWorldHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, so the safety and external-lookup profile is covered. The description adds only the synthesized-answer-plus-citation return behavior, with nothing about latency, source coverage, or failure modes.

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?

Two sentences, zero filler, with the capability stated first and the selection rule second. Nothing overlaps with or duplicates an adjacent sentence.

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?

Output schema exists, so the description is not obligated to detail return values, and it correctly covers purpose, input, and the when-to-use rule for a simple one-parameter tool. Slight gap in not characterizing search breadth or source coverage.

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?

There is a single parameter with 100% schema description coverage ('A research question or topic to search for in the scientific literature'), so the schema fully documents the input. The description restates the concept but adds no query-format guidance beyond it — the baseline 3 for full coverage 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?

States a specific verb and resource ('Search the scientific literature') plus the shape of the result ('cited answer with a numbered source list'). The only sibling, get_trending, is a distinct domain, so no explicit differentiation is required for an agent to choose correctly.

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?

Gives a clear selection condition: 'Use this when you need evidence from papers rather than general knowledge.' This cleanly separates it from answering from model knowledge, though it names no alternative tool or scope limits (e.g. coverage of fields or dates).

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