get_vacation_responder

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

With no annotations provided, the description is the sole source of behavioral information. It indicates this is a read operation ('Get'), but fails to disclose authentication requirements, side effects, or what happens if no vacation responder is set. The agent gains minimal insight beyond the tool name.

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, concise sentence with no superfluous words. However, it is overly brief, sacrificing clarity and completeness for brevity. It is appropriately sized in terms of length but not in terms of information density.

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 lack of annotations, output schema, and parameter descriptions, the description is severely incomplete. It does not explain the return value, parameter usage, or any prerequisites, making it inadequate for an agent to correctly invoke the tool without additional context.

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 input schema has two optional parameters ('account', 'password') with no descriptions (0% schema coverage). The tool description does not mention or explain these parameters, leaving the agent with no clue about their purpose or expected values.

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 the tool retrieves vacation responder settings, providing a specific verb ('Get') and resource ('vacation responder settings'). However, it does not differentiate from sibling tools like 'set_vacation_responder' or 'get_setting', leaving the agent to infer the distinction from the name alone.

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 on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as 'set_vacation_responder' or 'get_setting'. The description simply states what it does, without any contextual cues or exclusion criteria.

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