Create Layer

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

No annotations are provided, so the description must disclose behavior on its own. It only states the creation action and gives no detail about side effects, behavior on duplicate names, whether the layer becomes current, or what the response contains. For a mutation operation this is a significant gap.

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, efficient sentence with no redundant wording. It front-loads the primary action, but it omits any contextual or behavioral details that could make it more informative without adding bulk.

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 simple create tool, the description covers the basic operation, but it lacks information about return values, error conditions (e.g., duplicate layer names), and interaction with the current layer state. With no annotations or output schema, an agent has insufficient context to anticipate the tool's full behavior.

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?

The input schema already provides full descriptions and defaults for name, color, linetype, and lineweight, including value enumerations for color and lineweight. The description adds no parameter-specific meaning beyond the phrase 'specified properties', so it neither improves nor degrades schema coverage. Baseline 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 uses a specific verb ('Create') and resource ('a new layer'), clearly distinguishing it from sibling tools that modify, freeze, lock, delete, or list layers. The phrase 'with specified properties' signals the tool's scope without ambiguity.

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 intended use is implied: call this tool when a new layer is needed. However, there is no explicit guidance about when not to use it, such as duplicate name handling or alternatives like layer_modify or layer_set_current. The context is adequate for obvious cases but lacks exclusion criteria.

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