merchantAnalytics

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

With no annotations, the description carries the full behavioral burden, but it does little beyond restating the purpose. It implies a read-only retrieval and lists metric categories, yet it does not disclose the time window, grouping, sorting, default scope, or output shape, leaving the agent to guess operational details.

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 efficient sentence with no filler. It front-loads the verb and uses enumeration to convey the returned metrics compactly.

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?

For a tool with no output schema and no annotations, the description is too sparse: 'performance breakdown' is ambiguous, no time range or grouping is specified, and the agent cannot infer the response structure or default behavior. The optional limit parameter is not contextualized.

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 single parameter 'limit' is fully documented in the schema ('Maximum number of merchants to return'), so schema coverage is 100% and the baseline is 3. The description adds no additional meaning about the parameter or how it interacts with the analytics.

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 the specific verb 'Retrieve' and identifies the resource ('merchants') plus the data dimensions ('volume, transaction count, and performance breakdown'). However, it does not differentiate merchantAnalytics from sibling tools like vendorPerformance or getDashboardMetrics, so it is clear but not uniquely scoped.

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?

No guidance is provided about when to choose this tool over siblings such as dailySummary, weeklyAnalytics, vendorPerformance, or vendorComparison. The description only states what it retrieves, with no mention of use cases, prerequisites, or exclusions.

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