check_manipulation

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It mentions checking for manipulation tactics across cultural contexts, but doesn't describe what the tool actually does behaviorally—such as whether it returns a score, categories of manipulation, examples, or any limitations like accuracy, rate limits, or authentication needs. This leaves significant gaps in understanding the tool's operation.

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 that directly states the tool's function. It's appropriately sized and front-loaded with the core purpose, though it could be slightly more structured by explicitly mentioning the input parameter or output expectations to improve clarity without adding unnecessary length.

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 the tool's complexity (analyzing manipulation across cultures) and lack of annotations or output schema, the description is incomplete. It doesn't explain what the tool returns, how results are formatted, any limitations in cultural coverage, or behavioral traits. This makes it inadequate for an agent to fully understand and use the tool effectively, especially without structured output information.

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 input schema has 100% description coverage, with the 'text' parameter clearly documented as 'Text to analyze for manipulation'. The description adds no additional meaning beyond this, as it doesn't elaborate on parameter usage, format expectations, or cultural context implications. With high schema coverage, the baseline score of 3 is appropriate, as the schema adequately handles parameter semantics without description enhancement.

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 the tool's purpose as checking for manipulation tactics, which is clear but vague. It specifies 'across different cultural contexts' which adds some nuance, but doesn't clearly distinguish this from sibling tools like 'analyze_claim' or 'validate_sources' in terms of what specific manipulation tactics it detects or how it differs from general claim analysis or source validation.

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 explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'analyze_claim' or 'validate_sources' is provided. The description implies usage for analyzing text for manipulation in cultural contexts, but lacks any context on prerequisites, exclusions, or comparative advantages over sibling tools, leaving the agent to infer when this specific tool is appropriate.

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