clear-excel-range

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

Annotations already indicate destructiveHint=true, so the description adds value by detailing what gets destroyed for each applyTo option ('All', 'Formats', 'Contents'). It explains the behavioral difference between wiping values vs. formatting vs. both, which goes beyond the annotations.

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 relatively concise, with a short opening and a focused tip. However, the opening 'Invoke action clear' is somewhat redundant and could be more direct. The tip is well-structured and front-loaded.

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 description adequately explains the tool's behavior and parameter semantics, but there is no mention of return values or response format. Given that there is no output schema, the description could have included what the tool returns on success (e.g., confirmation or empty response).

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 description coverage is 86%, meaning most parameters are already documented. The description adds meaning for the crucial 'body' parameter by explaining the three applyTo options and their effects. This adds significant context beyond the schema's generic description.

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 identifies the tool as clearing an Excel range, with specific verb ('clear') and resource ('excel-range'). The tip distinguishes it from siblings like delete-excel-range by explaining it resets rather than deletes, and provides a use case ('reset a worksheet section before a fresh write').

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 gives a clear usage context: 'Use this to reset a worksheet section before a fresh write rather than overwriting cell-by-cell.' This implies when to use the tool, though it does not explicitly list exclusions or compare to all alternatives (e.g., format-excel-range).

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