topic_news_by_section

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full responsibility for disclosing behavioral traits. It only states the tool 'gets' articles, implying a read operation, but does not confirm read-only nature, mention rate limits, authentication, pagination, or error handling. The description is insufficient for safe invocation.

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?

The description is a single, clear sentence that front-loads the verb and resource. It is appropriately concise, with no wasted words. However, it could be slightly more structured by separating the purpose from examples.

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?

Given the lack of an output schema, the description should explain return values (e.g., article format, metadata) but does not. It also does not cover edge cases like empty results or rate limiting. For a tool with 5 parameters and no annotations, the description is not complete enough for reliable 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 100% (all parameters have descriptions in the schema). The tool description adds minimal meaning beyond the schema, only mentioning sections and publications generically. Since the schema already provides detailed parameter explanations, a baseline score of 3 is appropriate.

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 the tool retrieves news articles for a specific section of a topic or publication, with examples of sections (World, Sports, Technology) and publications (CNN, BBC). This is a specific verb+resource with scope, but it does not differentiate itself from the sibling tool 'topic_headlines', which may have overlapping functionality.

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 description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'topic_headlines' or 'search'. It does not mention prerequisites, when not to use it, or how it compares to siblings. The agent lacks context to select the correct tool.

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