list_regions

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

With no annotations available, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It does not explicitly state that the operation is read-only, mention side effects or ordering, or describe any limitations. The tool name implies listing, but the description itself only details the output content.

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 compact sentence with no filler words. All the essential information — named regions, Greenland demo scope, bbox order, validation notes — is packed efficiently and front-loaded.

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, no-output-schema listing tool, the description sets expectations adequately: the agent knows it returns named candidate regions with bbox and validation notes. It does not explain the role of the tool relative to the UI siblings, but that gap is modest for such a simple tool.

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 schema coverage is effectively 100%, so the baseline is 4. The description adds useful context by specifying that the bbox field order is west, south, east, north, even though this describes return data rather than parameters.

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 identifies the resource (regions), scope (Greenland demo), and the data it provides (named candidates with bbox and validation notes). The verb is only in the tool name, not the description, but the resource type clearly distinguishes it from siblings like list_scenes.

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 given about when to use this tool versus alternatives such as ui_regions or list_scenes. The description is purely declarative and does not mention any prerequisites, exclusions, or routing conditions.

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