List Employee Birthdays

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the burden of behavioral disclosure. It usefully states that only active/non-terminated employees are included and that ages are calculated, and it mentions the optional forecast feature. However, it does not describe the return format, default date horizon, or edge-case behavior when no matches are found.

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, front-loaded sentence that conveys the primary purpose, key constraints, and optional capability in under 30 words. There is no redundancy or filler.

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?

With 8 optional parameters and no output schema, the description must compensate. It covers the main behaviors and filters, but it omits details about the output structure and default behavior (e.g., what 'upcoming' means and the default month range). This is adequate but has clear 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?

Schema description coverage is 100%, and each parameter already has a meaningful description (e.g., selected_year explains forecasting). The tool description adds broad framing about month ranges and future years but does not add significant detail beyond the schema. Baseline of 3 applies.

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 it retrieves upcoming employee birthdays, restricted to active/non-terminated employees, with calculated age and optional future-year forecasting. The specific verb+resource+scope distinguishes it from sibling tools like list_anniversaries.

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 phrase 'upcoming employee birthdays' and 'filter by month range' implies usage for birthday-related queries, and the description makes the tool's content clear. However, it does not explicitly mention alternatives or when not to use this tool, so it stops short of full guidance.

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