search-medical-databases

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It states the tool searches across multiple databases for comprehensive results but lacks details on rate limits, authentication needs, result format, pagination, or error handling. This is a significant gap for a search tool with no structured safety hints.

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, efficient sentence that front-loads the key action and resources. It avoids unnecessary words, though it could be slightly more structured by explicitly listing use cases or limitations.

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 searching multiple medical databases, no annotations, and no output schema, the description is incomplete. It doesn't explain result types, handling of multiple sources, or potential constraints, making it inadequate for informed tool selection by an AI agent.

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 100% description coverage, with the 'query' parameter documented as 'Medical topic or condition to search for across multiple databases'. The description adds no additional parameter details beyond this, so it meets the baseline of 3 where the schema does the heavy lifting.

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 the action ('Search across multiple medical databases') and the resource ('medical databases'), specifying PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov. It distinguishes from some siblings like 'search-google-scholar' (single database) but not all, such as 'search-medical-literature' which might overlap.

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?

No explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives is provided. It mentions 'comprehensive results' but doesn't clarify when to choose this over siblings like 'search-medical-journals' or 'search-medical-literature', leaving usage context implied rather than stated.

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