list_publishers

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

The readOnlyHint annotation already indicates a safe read operation, so no additional behavioral disclosure is needed for safety. However, the description provides no extra context about side effects, pagination behavior, or required permissions beyond the annotation.

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 short sentence with no fluff, which is concise. However, it is under-specified for the tool's complexity, offering minimal information without additional structure or detail.

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?

For a tool with 9 parameters including multiple filter options, the description is insufficiently complete. It does not explain how filtering works, what the distinct publishers represent, or any constraints. The existence of an output schema helps but does not compensate for the lack of behavioral context.

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?

The schema has 0% description coverage for parameters. The description 'List distinct publishers' does not explain any of the 9 parameters (page, size, sort, search, series_id, library_id, etc.) or how they affect the result, failing to compensate for the schema's lack of descriptions.

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 'List distinct publishers' clearly identifies the verb (list) and resource (publishers) and adds scope with 'distinct.' However, it doesn't explicitly differentiate from sibling list_* tools beyond the resource name, lacking details like global scope or filters.

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 guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. There is no mention of use cases, exclusions, or comparisons to similar tools such as list_authors or list_series.

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