Get Gradebook History Feed

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

The readOnlyHint annotation already conveys safety, so the description only adds context: the feed is paginated, filterable, and can be oldest-first. This is useful but does not go beyond what an agent might infer from the schema and annotation.

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?

One clean sentence front-loads the action and then packs optional modifiers with no filler. Every piece of information is relevant and compact.

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 medium-complexity tool with full schema and read-only annotations, the description is adequate but leaves the exact pagination mechanism and the shape of the returned feed unspecified, and there is no output schema to fill those gaps.

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%, so the schema already documents each parameter. The description restates the filtering and sorting options without adding meaning beyond them, matching the baseline for full schema coverage.

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 a specific verb and resource ('Get the paginated gradebook history feed for a course') and details optional filters and ordering. It does not explicitly compare itself to siblings like list_gradebook_history_days or list_gradebook_history_submissions, but the 'feed' phrasing and filter options give enough distinct identity.

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 use this tool versus the other gradebook history siblings. The description simply states what it does without giving a 'use this when' condition or exclusions.

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