MCP Datadog Server

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure but provides none. 'Get dashboard by ID' doesn't indicate whether this is a read-only operation, whether it requires authentication, what happens if the ID doesn't exist, whether there are rate limits, or what format the dashboard data returns in. For a tool with zero annotation coverage, this minimal description fails to provide essential behavioral context needed for safe and effective tool 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 extremely concise at just three words, but this brevity comes at the cost of being under-specified rather than efficiently informative. While it's front-loaded with the core action, every word essentially repeats the tool name without adding value. The description earns a middle score because while it's technically concise, it fails to use its limited space to provide any meaningful guidance beyond the obvious.

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 complexity of dashboard systems and the complete lack of annotations, output schema, and meaningful description, this tool definition is severely incomplete. The agent cannot determine what a 'dashboard' is in this context, how to obtain valid IDs, what data structure returns, or how this differs from other dashboard-related tools. For a retrieval tool in what appears to be a monitoring/analytics system, this minimal description provides inadequate context for effective use.

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 has 0 parameters with 100% schema description coverage, meaning there are no parameters to document. The description doesn't mention parameters, which is appropriate given the empty schema. While the description could theoretically mention that no parameters are needed, the baseline for 0 parameters is 4, as there's no parameter information to add beyond what the schema already provides (which is none).

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 'Get dashboard by ID' is essentially a tautology that restates the tool name 'get_dashboard_by_id' without adding meaningful specificity. It doesn't distinguish this tool from sibling tools like 'get_dashboard' or 'list_dashboards', nor does it provide any additional context about what 'dashboard' means in this system. While the verb 'Get' is clear, the description lacks the specificity needed for effective tool selection.

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 absolutely no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. With sibling tools like 'get_dashboard', 'list_dashboards', and 'get_dashboards' available, the agent has no indication whether this tool is for retrieving a single dashboard by specific identifier, whether it requires different parameters, or what distinguishes it from other dashboard retrieval tools. This leaves the agent guessing about appropriate usage contexts.

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