Google News Homepage

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

With no annotations, the description must carry the full behavioral burden, and it does not. It implies a read-only RSS scrape and hints at real-time freshness ('right now'), but says nothing about rate limits, auth requirements, result volume, or pagination for a scraping tool.

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?

A single front-loaded sentence with no filler, which is efficient. Given the undocumented locale parameters, though, the brevity shades into under-specification rather than ideal density.

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 output schema exists, so return values need no explanation, but three undocumented parameters and zero annotations leave the definition materially incomplete for a tool whose behavior depends on locale inputs.

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?

All three parameters (gl, hl, ceid) have 0% schema description coverage and no enums, and the description adds nothing about them. Locale/region codes like 'US:en' are non-obvious, and the description leaves the agent unable to tell that these control geo/language of the feed.

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 (scrape) and resource (Google News homepage RSS) plus what it returns ('top headlines right now'). It implicitly separates itself from google_news_search by naming the homepage, but never explicitly routes between them.

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 when-to-use guidance, no conditions, and no mention of the obvious alternative google_news_search for query-based retrieval. The agent must infer that this is the un-parameterized 'front page' variant.

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