booking_search: GET /

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden, and it does a good job: it reports that this is an external Booking.com search, that pagination is page-based with 25 results per page, that language and currency control locale, and it enumerates the returned hotel data. It does not cover possible errors, rate limits, or authorization requirements, but for a read-oriented search tool the behavioral disclosure is sufficient.

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 long, but given the tool's 28 parameters and rich return payload, nearly every sentence adds useful information. It is front-loaded with the core search behavior and filters before covering output and use cases; only the list of use cases is somewhat optional, but it still helps an agent choose the tool.

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?

The description provides a complete picture for selecting and invoking the tool: required search inputs, available filters, pagination, locale handling, output contents, and the relationship with the Booking Place endpoint. Since there is no output schema, the explicit enumeration of return fields is especially valuable and covers what an agent needs to understand the result shape.

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 documents all 28 parameters with 100% coverage, so the baseline is 3. The description restates filter categories and some behaviors (e.g., guest composition, price range, pagination), but it adds limited semantic value beyond what the schema already provides for each parameter.

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 a specific action ('Searches Booking.com for accommodations') and a specific resource (destination keyword, stay dates, guest composition). It also differentiates itself from the sibling tool by noting that the returned `hotelId` / URL can be fed into the Booking Place endpoint for full property details.

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 gives strong usage context: it is for travel-planning, price/inventory monitoring, competitor analysis, and lead generation, and it points to the Booking Place endpoint as a downstream step for full property details. However, it does not explicitly state when NOT to use this tool or offer a direct comparison between the search and place endpoints, so the alternative guidance is implied rather than fully explicit.

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