modal_apps

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

No annotations provided, so description carries the burden. It discloses what data is returned (status, task count, creation date) but omits safety profile (read-only vs destructive), pagination behavior, or rate limiting concerns.

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?

Single sentence of 12 words with zero waste. Front-loaded with the action verb 'List' and efficiently specifies both the resource and the specific attributes returned.

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 zero-parameter tool without annotations or output schema, the description is nearly complete by specifying the return payload structure. Could be improved by noting pagination or scope limits, but adequate for complexity level.

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?

Input schema has zero parameters, warranting baseline score of 4 per scoring rules. Description provides context about the operation's output since the empty schema cannot.

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?

Description states a specific verb (List) and resource (deployed Modal apps) and distinguishes from siblings like modal_logs and modal_render_list by specifying the exact entity type ('apps').

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?

Provides implied usage through specificity of returned fields (status, task count, creation date), suggesting it's for inventory/overview. However, lacks explicit when-to-use guidance contrasting it with modal_logs or the render tools.

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