purchase_license

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

No annotations provided, so description carries full burden. It discloses return values (license key, certificate URL), side effect (Handshake Email), and license types. It does not mention payment charges or destructive nature, but overall transparent.

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 plus a bullet-like list. Concise and front-loaded with the main purpose. The list of license types is dense but efficient. Slight improvement could be structuring the list better.

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 8 params and no output schema, description covers key outputs, env vars, and license types. It could clarify article_id/article_url exclusivity and payment flow, but it's reasonably complete for a purchase tool.

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%, so baseline is 3. Description adds value by explaining env var fallbacks, license type meanings, and the license key format. This goes beyond schema definitions.

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 tool purchases a content license from the Opedd protocol using Stripe. It specifies the resource and action, and distinguishes from siblings like purchase_enterprise_license and verify_license.

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 explains when to use the tool (purchasing a standard license) and mentions environment variable fallbacks for convenience. It could explicitly mention when to use purchase_enterprise_license instead, but the context is clear.

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