dcs_alerts

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

The readOnlyHint annotation already establishes this is a safe read, and "[READ]" merely restates it rather than adding information. Beyond that, only "bounded page" hints at pagination; there is no disclosure of default page size, sort requirements, or result shape, for a tool whose behavioral profile rests almost entirely on a single annotation.

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?

A single front-loaded sentence with no filler, and the read-only marker plus the paging qualifier arrive immediately. It is efficient, though the brevity leans toward under-specification rather than tight editing.

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?

With four undocumented parameters, a required sort, no output schema, and no annotation beyond readOnlyHint, the description should explain paging and sorting behavior but does not. An agent can guess the intent but cannot call it correctly without experimenting.

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 0% across four parameters, so the description must carry the meaning and it does not. It never mentions that 'sort' is required, what syntax sort accepts, what limit/offset do, or what filter_text matches against.

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 ("List ... alerts") plus a scoping qualifier ("a bounded page"), so the agent knows this is a paginated read of the alerts collection. It does not distinguish itself from adjacent siblings such as dcs_alert_stats, dcs_alert_details, or dcs_alert_rules, which is the only thing keeping it from a 5.

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?

There is no when-to-use guidance and no mention of alternatives, despite five sibling alert tools that a caller could easily confuse with this one. The word "bounded" hints that pagination is expected, but nothing tells the agent when to pick this over dcs_alert_stats or dcs_alert_details.

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