journal_list

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

No annotations are provided, and the description does not disclose behavioral traits such as pagination, sorting, or that it returns a list. The limit parameter is not explained, and important behavior like output format is omitted.

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 extremely concise (3 words) and front-loaded. However, it is under-specified; brevity does not serve usefulness. A bit more context (e.g., 'Lists recent journal entries, default 20') would improve without losing conciseness.

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 presence of an output schema and many sibling tools (e.g., journal_search, journal_get), the description is insufficient. It does not explain how the output is structured or how this tool relates to others. The agent needs more context to use it effectively.

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 schema has 0% description coverage and the description does not mention the 'limit' parameter at all. The agent must infer from the schema that limit controls the number of entries, but no semantic context is added beyond the default value.

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 'List journal entries' clearly indicates a verb (List) and resource (journal entries), distinguishing it from journal_get (single entry) and journal_search (filtered search). The purpose is clear but lacks precision on whether it lists all or recent entries.

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 on when to use this tool versus alternatives like journal_search (which filters) or journal_get (single entry). The description does not help an agent choose among siblings.

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