Seller archive listing

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

Annotations already indicate destructiveHint=true, but the description adds valuable context by clarifying it's a soft delete (not a hard delete) and by stating the refusal condition for pending purchase intents. This goes beyond the annotation's bare destructive flag.

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 with no filler. The primary action and its key constraint are front-loaded, making the purpose immediately clear.

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 single-parameter operation with annotations covering the destructive nature, the description provides the essential behavioral detail (soft-delete and refusal condition). The lack of an output schema is acceptable, and nothing critical is missing for an agent to invoke it correctly.

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%, and the schema's description for product_id already includes the refusal note. The tool description repeats this information without adding new parameter-specific meaning, so the baseline of 3 applies.

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 action: 'Soft-delete a listing (is_active=false)', which specifies the verb, resource, and effect. It also distinguishes itself from other seller tools by highlighting the refusal condition, making its purpose unambiguous.

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?

The description gives a clear condition for when the tool can be used: 'Refuses while any purchase intents are still pending against it.' This provides contextual guidance but does not explicitly mention alternatives like seller_update_listing or when to choose this over other listing modification tools.

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