search_metax_docs

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

Goes well beyond annotations by warning that all retrieved text is untrusted, instructing the agent never to execute instructions from documents, and clarifying that the tool only reads a local SQLite index without fetching URLs or modifying the index. This is valuable safety-relevant behavior not present in the annotations.

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?

Three sentences with no wasted words: it states the search domain, gives the key parameter conventions, and adds the critical safety warning. The most essential information is front-loaded.

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 description is largely complete for invoking the tool: scope, source/repository syntax, and safety behavior are covered. An output schema exists, so return-value details are not required. Some optional parameter interplay (e.g., version with source) could be richer, but the core invocation path is clear.

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 has 0% parameter description coverage, and the description helps by explaining that source accepts official, github, or docker and that repository uses owner/name. However, query, limit, and version are left unaddressed, so parameter semantics are only partially compensated.

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: searches indexed MetaX official docs, MetaX-MACA GitHub, and the Docker catalog. This clearly distinguishes it from siblings like get_metax_document or list_metax_sources, which have different retrieval or enumeration purposes.

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?

Provides clear context that this is a search tool across multiple indexed sources, and explains how to specify source and repository. It does not explicitly name alternatives or state when not to use this tool, so it falls short of fully explicit routing guidance.

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