pause_vm

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

No annotations are supplied, so the description must carry the full behavioral burden. It says only that the VM must be running and does not explain what pausing does to CPU or memory state, whether it is reversible via resume_vm, required permissions, or errors if the VM is not running.

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 front-loaded sentence with no redundant wording. Brevity is appropriate here, though the omitted detail is penalized under other dimensions.

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 one-parameter mutation tool with no annotations and no output schema, the description is too thin about the operation's effect and lifecycle relationship. It tells the agent the action but not enough about state preservation or resume behavior to use it confidently alongside save_vm_state and shutdown_vm.

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%; the vm parameter is already documented as a VM name or UUID. The description adds no parameter-level detail, which is the expected baseline when the schema is complete.

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 gives a specific verb (Pause) and resource (VM) and adds the precondition 'running'. It does not explicitly contrast with sibling lifecycle operations such as save_vm_state or shutdown_vm, so it falls short of a 5.

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?

Use is implied by 'running VM', giving a basic precondition. It does not state when not to use it or name resume_vm or save_vm_state as alternatives, so routing guidance remains implicit.

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