codex_approve_plan

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

Discloses idempotency and that execution is queued. With no annotations, this adds value. However, it omits preconditions (e.g., plan must exist) and potential side effects beyond queuing.

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?

Two concise sentences front-load the primary action and mention idempotency. No redundancy.

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?

Given 8 parameters and low schema coverage, the description lacks details on workflow lifecycle, parameter implications, and prerequisites. Relies heavily on external knowledge for correct usage.

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 only 25% (2 of 8 parameters have descriptions). The tool description does not elaborate on parameters or their default values, leaving meaning unclear for enums like approval_policy and sandbox.

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 clearly states the tool approves the latest completed plan and queues execution, with idempotency. However, it does not explicitly distinguish from siblings like codex_execute_plan, which may directly execute without approval.

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 on when to use this tool vs alternatives (e.g., codex_execute_plan, codex_start_plan_workflow). No prerequisites or exclusions mentioned, leaving the agent without context for proper invocation.

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