update_circle_member_level

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

Goes well beyond the annotations (which only cover readOnly=false, idempotent=true, destructive=false). It discloses the permission requirement, the ownership-transfer side effect, and the version-dependent failure that silently changes nothing on SQLite/PostgreSQL — exactly the kind of behavioral context an agent needs.

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?

Front-loaded with purpose, then structured Args/Returns sections. Every sentence is informative, though the length is at the upper end; the Returns block partially overlaps the output schema but adds the useful note that the member, not the circle, is returned.

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 3-param mutation tool with 0% schema coverage and an existing output schema, the description fills every gap: identity of each parameter, permission requirements, side effects, and failure modes. Nothing essential is missing.

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 coverage is 0%, so the description carries the full burden and does so. It clarifies member_id is the member-level id from list_circle_members, not the user's singleId/userId, and enumerates valid level values with their promotion semantics.

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?

States a specific verb and resource ('Change a member's level (role) in the circle') with immediate scoping. It clearly distinguishes itself from siblings like update_circle_name, add_circle_member, and remove_circle_member. An agent can identify the operation without opening the schema.

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?

Provides the crucial prerequisite ('Requires admin or owner') and describes the special ownership-transfer case and its fallback on older releases. It stops short of explicitly routing to alternatives (e.g., add/remove member), but the context is clear enough.

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