Host Lookup

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full disclosure burden, and it says nothing about whether this performs a live network query, what happens on resolution failure, whether the default record type (A) is used, or what shape the response takes. 'Using host' hints at a system command but is not clarified.

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?

It is a single short sentence with the purpose front-loaded, so there is no waste. The flip side is under-specification: the one clause it does contain ('using host') introduces ambiguity rather than useful detail.

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 annotations, no output schema, and three DNS-lookup siblings, the description needs to do more work: routing guidance, supported record types, and output expectations are all absent. It is not adequate for the decision an agent has to make here.

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 both `domain` and `record_type` are already documented in the schema, establishing the baseline of 3. The description adds no syntax, format, or supported record-type information beyond what the schema provides.

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 states a verb and a resource ('Perform DNS lookup'), which is enough to know the general category of operation. However, 'using host' is ambiguous (a hostname? the `host` CLI utility?) and the description does nothing to distinguish this from siblings nslookup_query, dig_query, and reverse_dns_lookup, all of which are also DNS lookups.

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 indication of when to choose host_lookup over the very similar nslookup_query or dig_query tools, nor when to prefer reverse_dns_lookup for PTR lookups. The agent is left to guess among four near-identical siblings.

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