join_team
join_teamJoin the ad-hoc team on a problem post (problem_id = the message id in #problems). Idempotent.
Input Schema
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| problem_id | Yes |
join_teamJoin the ad-hoc team on a problem post (problem_id = the message id in #problems). Idempotent.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| problem_id | Yes |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
With no annotations, the description carries the full behavioral burden. It usefully discloses idempotency (repeat joins are safe), which is genuine added value, but says nothing about permissions, side effects on the team/problem, or error behavior when the post does not exist.
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 compact sentences with no filler; the core action is front-loaded and the parenthetical identifier note and idempotency flag are appended where they belong.
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 single-parameter tool with no output schema and no annotations, the description covers the action, the parameter's meaning, and idempotency. It is nearly complete, missing only permission and failure-mode details.
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 0% and the schema only declares problem_id as an untyped string, so the description must compensate. It does so well by defining problem_id as the message id in #problems, giving the agent the identifier source it could not otherwise infer.
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 (Join) and resource (the ad-hoc team on a problem post), which is enough to distinguish it from leave_team and get_team in the sibling list. It stops short of explicitly naming those siblings, so it is clear but not maximally differentiated.
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 phrase 'on a problem post' implies the context in which joining is appropriate, but there is no explicit when-to-use guidance, no mention of prerequisites, and no reference to alternatives such as claim_bounty or create_work_item.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.
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