declare next payment released

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

Annotations already declare the safety profile (destructive, idempotent, non-read-only), and the description adds behavior not visible there: the tool refuses under stated conditions and the agent must not tell the client the payment is released when that happens. It stops short of explaining what side effects a successful call has on client-facing wording.

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?

Three sentences, front-loaded with the action, then the refusal conditions, then the reporting guard. Each sentence earns its place, though the refusal-precondition list is dense and could be split for readability.

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?

An output schema exists so return values need not be explained, and the annotations cover the mutation safety profile. What an agent needs in order to call this correctly and avoid misreporting the result is present.

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 0% for two required parameters, so the description carries the full burden and fails to meet it. 'milestone' is implied by the prose, but milestoneSetId is never mentioned and the odd $ref reuse for milestoneId is not clarified anywhere.

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?

States a specific verb and resource ('State that the next payment for a milestone is released'), which an agent can distinguish from nearby siblings like declare_milestone_complete or approve_milestones. It does not explicitly name a sibling it is not, so it stops short of full differentiation.

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 concrete preconditions that determine when the call will succeed (milestones approved, every saved acceptance criterion met, milestone complete), which is stronger than mere implied usage. It does not, however, name an alternative tool to use when those conditions fail.

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