list_live_scales

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

The description repeats 'Read-only,' which aligns with annotations readOnlyHint=true and destructiveHint=false but adds no behavioral information beyond them. It does add context about the returned content (scale names, semitone intervals, musical families), but it does not disclose any other behavioral traits such as return structure or side effects, which is acceptable given the annotations.

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, front-loaded sentence with no wasted words. It states the action, the resource, the included data, and the purpose efficiently.

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 zero-parameter, read-only list operation, the description provides enough context: it names the scope (Ableton Live 12), the output fields (scale names, intervals, families), and the use case. No output schema is present, but the description sufficiently conveys what the tool returns.

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 tool has zero parameters and the schema fully covers them vacuously. With no parameters, the baseline is 4, and the description does not need to add parameter-level detail.

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 a specific verb and resource: 'List Ableton Live 12 scale names with semitone intervals and musical families.' It goes beyond a tautology and gives the intended purpose, but it does not explicitly differentiate from siblings like get_live_scale_reference, so an agent must infer the boundary.

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 phrase 'for exact scale selection' implies the tool is meant for choosing scales, but there is no explicit guidance about when to use this tool versus alternatives such as get_live_scale_reference or plan_scale_chord_progression. No exclusions or alternative routing are provided.

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