update_product_catalog

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only states that an update occurs, without revealing whether the update is partial or full replacement, whether it is destructive, what permissions are needed, or what response is returned. This is a significant gap for a mutation tool.

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 one short sentence, 'Update an existing product catalog', with no superfluous words. It is appropriately front-loaded and every word earns its place. This is an efficient, if minimal, structure.

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 tool has 3 parameters, no output schema, and no annotations. The description is too brief to be complete: it does not explain what fields can be changed, the role of publisher_id in identification, or any behavior after the update. For a mutation tool, more context is needed.

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 100%, so each parameter already has a basic description (Catalog name, Catalog ID, Publisher ID). The description adds no additional parameter semantics beyond what the schema provides. The baseline of 3 applies.

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 uses a clear verb+resource construction: 'Update an existing product catalog'. It distinguishes the tool from create and read operations, and from update_product_catalog_item which targets catalog items. However, it does not mention specific updatable fields (like name) or that catalog_id and publisher_id identify the target.

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 like create_product_catalog or update_product_catalog_item. It does not state prerequisites (e.g., needing an existing catalog) or any exclusions. No contextual usage hints are given.

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