estimate_cost

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

No annotations provided; description only states basic purpose. No disclosure of side effects, authentication needs, error handling, or whether it's read-only. For a cost estimation tool, agents need to know if it uses live pricing or static data.

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, front-loaded, no redundancy. Every word serves a purpose.

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?

Lacks details about output format, supported regions, currency, or whether it makes API calls. For a cost estimator with nested parameters and no output schema, description is insufficient.

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% with descriptions for all parameters. Description adds overarching context (monthly cost, breakdown) but does not add detail beyond schema.

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?

Description clearly states verb (calculate), resource (monthly estimated cost), and scope (architecture configuration, breakdown by service). Distinguishes from siblings like design_architecture and recommend_cpu_arch.

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 explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance. Alternatives are not mentioned. Usage is implied by the tool's clear purpose, but lacking explicit context.

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