List alerts

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true and openWorldHint=true, so the safety profile is covered. Beyond that the description adds only the HTTP path; it says nothing about what an alert represents, whether results are paginated or time-bounded, or how many are typically returned.

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 single sentence is front-loaded and free of padding, but its brevity comes from under-specification rather than discipline. There is no wasted wording, yet almost nothing is said.

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?

With no output schema, two undocumented parameters, and no description of return shape, the definition leaves an agent guessing about what it will get back and how to filter. The annotations cover safety only, so the description needed to carry more of the load.

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 both parameters, and the description compensates with nothing. In particular it never explains that 'open' is a string enum of "true"/"false" rather than a boolean, nor what clientId scopes the listing to.

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: 'List alerts', plus the underlying endpoint GET /v1/alerts, which confirms it is a read of the alerts collection. The only sibling in the alerts family (alerts_resolve) is clearly a different operation by name, so differentiation is implicit but adequate.

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?

There is no guidance on when to call this versus alerts_resolve, no mention of defaults, and no indication of what filters are useful in practice. The agent must infer everything from the tool name and the endpoint path.

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