Retrieve details of a specific Synthetics test from Datadog to monitor application performance and verify functionality.
Get a Synthetics test
This tool declares no required parameters. Add optional parameters from the input schema as needed.
{
"id": 1,
"jsonrpc": "2.0",
"method": "tools/call",
"params": {
"arguments": {},
"name": "synthetics_get_test"
}
}| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
No arguments | |||
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v1.0.0Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. 'Get a Synthetics test' gives no information about whether this is a read-only operation, whether it requires authentication, what the response format might be, or any rate limits. For a tool with zero annotation coverage, this description fails to provide any behavioral context beyond the basic verb.
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. While it's under-specified, every word earns its place: 'Get' indicates the action, 'Synthetics' specifies the domain, and 'test' identifies the resource. There's no wasted language or unnecessary elaboration.
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 the sibling tool ecosystem (multiple synthetics-related tools) and the absence of both annotations and an output schema, the description is inadequate. It doesn't explain what 'get' means operationally, how it differs from similar tools, or what the agent should expect in return. For a tool in a crowded namespace with no structured metadata, this description leaves critical gaps.
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% description coverage, so there are no parameters to document. The description doesn't need to compensate for any parameter gaps. However, it also doesn't explain why there are no parameters (e.g., does it get all tests? use default context?), which keeps it from a perfect score. Baseline for 0 parameters is 4.
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 a Synthetics test' is a tautology that restates the tool name 'synthetics_get_test' without adding meaningful clarification. It doesn't specify what 'get' means (retrieve details? fetch results? list?), nor does it distinguish this tool from sibling tools like 'synthetics_list_tests' or 'get_synthetics_tests'. The purpose remains vague beyond the obvious verb-noun pairing.
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. With sibling tools like 'synthetics_list_tests', 'get_synthetics_tests', 'search_synthetics_tests', and 'synthetics_get_test_results_v1', there's no indication of whether this tool retrieves a single test by ID, lists all tests, or performs some other operation. The agent receives no usage context or exclusions.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.