Create a new department in QuickBooks Online by specifying a unique name, whether it's active, and an optional parent department for sub-departments.
Create a new Department record in QuickBooks Online.
| Name | Required | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | Department name (required, must be unique within parent) | |
| Active | No | Whether the department is active | |
| ParentRef | No | Parent department for sub-departments |
Changes observed during successful MCP inspections.
v1.4.4Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?
No annotations are provided, so the description carries full burden for behavioral disclosure. It does not mention that this is a write operation, potential side effects (e.g., requiring specific permissions, possible constraints on name uniqueness already in schema), or any other behavioral traits.
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, front-loaded sentence that efficiently communicates the tool's purpose with no wasted words.
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 is minimal but adequate for a simple create tool with well-defined schema. However, it lacks context about the broader process (e.g., relationship to other department tools) and does not leverage the absence of annotations to add richer behavioral details.
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 input schema has 100% coverage of parameter descriptions, so the description adds no additional meaning beyond what is already in the schema. Baseline score 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 clearly states the action ('Create') and resource ('Department record in QuickBooks Online'). It distinguishes this tool from sibling tools like qbo_departments_get, list, search, update by specifying the create operation.
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 provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, such as prerequisites for creating a department (e.g., needing a parent department) or scenarios where update might be more appropriate.
Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.