slice_series

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

No annotations are provided, so the description must carry the burden. It discloses an important behavioral fact: 'Costs no request against the hourly allowance.' It also indicates local handling by mentioning 'already fetched under a handle,' but it remains vague about whether it mutates the stored series and what shape the summary takes.

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 short sentences communicate purpose, precondition, and quota behavior with no filler. The first sentence front-loads the core verb and resource, and the second adds a concise behavioral guarantee.

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 tool is simple with three parameters and no output schema, but the description still leaves ambiguity around the slice window (start/end) and the exact nature of the summary. It is adequate for basic orientation but not fully self-sufficient for invocation.

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%, so the description must compensate for start, end, and handle. It only explains that the series was retrieved under a handle, which gives some semantic weight to 'handle,' but says nothing about start/end roles, formats, or whether they are required. This is insufficient for a three-parameter tool.

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?

The description clearly states a specific operation: narrow an already-fetched series under a handle and summarize what remains. The phrase 'already fetched under a handle' distinguishes it from sibling tools like get_series, which fetch new data.

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 precondition is clear: use it on a series already fetched under a handle rather than to fetch new data. The sentence 'Costs no request against the hourly allowance' gives a concrete reason for choosing it over network-fetching tools. It does not explicitly name alternatives, but the context is strong.

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