get_cart

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. It only states 'Read,' which is essentially the tool's name, without mentioning error behavior, side effects, or any prerequisites. It does not clarify what happens if the cart does not exist or whether this operation is read-only.

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, concise sentence with no redundant wording. It is appropriately sized for the tool's simplicity.

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 tool is simple, has an output schema, and the description states its core purpose. However, the lack of behavioral details (e.g., error handling, side effects) and no annotation support leaves some contextual gaps, making it minimally adequate rather than fully complete.

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 schema already describes cart_id as 'Unique cart identifier.' The description adds no additional meaning about the parameter or how to use it, so the baseline of 3 is appropriate.

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 'Read the current contents of a cart' uses a specific verb (read) and specifies the resource (cart contents), clearly differentiating it from siblings like add_to_cart or update_cart_item that modify the cart.

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 implies usage when needing to view cart contents, but provides no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives or any exclusions. It does not mention, for example, that this is only for reading and not for modifying items.

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