getSwitchGeneralConfig

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

No annotations are provided, and the description does not disclose behavioral traits such as whether the tool is read-only, requires authentication, or has side effects. For a read operation, it is safe, but the description fails to explicitly state this.

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?

Two sentences: the first clearly states the tool's purpose, the second provides a critical usage hint. No unnecessary words, front-loaded with essential information.

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 tool's simplicity and full schema coverage, the description is adequate but lacks details about the return format (e.g., it returns a configuration object). For a tool with no output schema and no annotations, a bit more context would be helpful.

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 100%, and the description adds value by advising to use listDevices to obtain switchMac values. This helps agents understand how to populate the required parameter beyond the schema's pattern constraint.

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 it retrieves general configuration for a switch, listing specific categories like LED settings, LLDP, flow control. This differentiates from sibling tools like getApGeneralConfig (for APs) and getSwitchDetail (which likely returns more detailed info), though not explicitly.

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 one usage hint: 'Use listDevices to get switchMac values.' This helps with the required parameter, but there is no guidance on when to use this tool vs alternatives like getSitesSwitchesEsGeneralConfig, or prerequisites like siteId (though optional).

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