stock_alerts

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true and destructiveHint=false, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds one genuine behavioral fact beyond that – results are sorted with depleted items first – but says nothing about how the threshold is applied, whether results are live or cached, or how large the result set can be.

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?

One front-loaded sentence with no filler; the scoping condition and the sort order are both packed in efficiently. It is arguably too short for the amount of undocumented behavior it leaves behind, but as a matter of structure there is no waste.

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?

An output schema exists, so return values need no explanation, and the read-only nature is covered by annotations. However, with a fully undocumented parameter and no guidance on when to reach for this tool, the definition is only minimally sufficient for a one-parameter alert query.

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 0% for the single 'threshold' parameter, so the description must carry that burden and does not. It gestures at the concept of a stock threshold but never explains the unit, that the default is 5, or what happens when the parameter is omitted.

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?

States a specific verb and resource: it returns products that have fallen below a stock threshold, and adds the ordering rule (out-of-stock items first). That is concrete enough to distinguish it from unrelated siblings like list_orders or price_overview, though it never names or contrasts a sibling explicitly.

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?

Usage is only implied by the subject matter (call it when you want low-stock or depleted products). There is no statement of when to prefer this over a general product listing, no prerequisites, and no mention that the threshold parameter can be tuned to change the result set.

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