Merchants Get Merchant

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

Annotations indicate readOnlyHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, which cover safety. The description itself adds little behavioral context beyond 'get', but it does not contradict annotations. Lacking additional details like return behavior or error cases, the description contributes minimal value beyond 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 sentence, extremely concise and front-loaded. It contains no unnecessary words, and while it is minimal, it earns its place by stating the core action.

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 simple get operation with annotations covering safety, the description is adequate but thin. It does not explain what a merchant is, how output_mode interacts with retrieval, or how this differs from related tools like accounts_get_account. Given no output schema, a bit more context would help.

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 67%, with 'fields' and 'output_mode' documented. The required 'merchant_id' parameter lacks a description, though its purpose is clear from its name. The description adds no semantic detail beyond the schema, so it does not compensate for the undocumented merchant_id.

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 'Get merchant' states a clear verb and resource, identifying this as a read operation for a single merchant. However, it does not distinguish this from sibling tools like merchants_list_merchants or merchants_update_merchant, nor does it specify what a merchant is in this domain.

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. An agent must infer from the tool name and schema that this retrieves a single merchant by ID, while merchants_list_merchants likely lists merchants. There is no mention of prerequisites or context.

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