list_dashboard_backups

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full transparency burden. It discloses that backups are written automatically before every dashboard write, flags the Docker volume-mount caveat, and specifies the return order ('oldest first'). This adds meaningful behavioral context beyond the schema and purpose.

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 compact and well-structured: purpose, mechanism, caveat, args, and returns each occupy one focused sentence or section. No redundant phrasing or repeated schema information exists.

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 list operation with one optional parameter and a provided output schema, the description covers the purpose, the backup generation behavior, a deployment-specific caveat, the parameter semantics, and the return shape. It provides enough context for an agent to select and invoke the tool correctly.

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 coverage is 0%, but the description fully documents the sole parameter: 'Dashboard URL path, or None for the default dashboard'. This clarifies both the meaning and the default behavior, compensating well for the sparse input schema.

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 opens with a specific verb-plus-resource statement: 'List on-disk backups of a dashboard's config'. It clearly scopes the tool to on-disk backup listing and distinguishes it from sibling tools like restore_dashboard or get_dashboard_config.

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?

Usage context is implied rather than explicit: the automatic-backup note suggests this tool is for inspecting backups before writes or restores, but no direct alternatives, exclusions, or 'use this when' guidance is provided. The purpose is clear enough, but the description does not name siblings or when-not-to-use scenarios.

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