fetch_url

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure but only states the basic action. It fails to mention critical traits such as rate limits, authentication needs, potential for blocking or CAPTCHAs, error handling, or what 'retrieve' entails (e.g., using a headless browser, returning structured data). The description is too minimal for a tool with 10 parameters and complex web interactions.

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, efficient sentence that front-loads the core purpose without unnecessary words. It earns its place by clearly stating what the tool does, making it highly concise and well-structured for quick understanding.

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 tool's complexity (10 parameters, web scraping functionality) and lack of annotations and output schema, the description is incomplete. It doesn't address behavioral aspects, error cases, or return values, leaving significant gaps for an agent to understand how to use it effectively in real-world scenarios.

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 description adds no parameter-specific information beyond what the input schema provides. Since schema description coverage is 100%, with detailed descriptions for all 10 parameters, the baseline score of 3 is appropriate. The description doesn't compensate but doesn't need to, as the schema fully documents parameters like 'debug', 'extractContent', and 'waitUntil'.

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's purpose as retrieving web page content from a URL, using specific verbs ('retrieve') and resources ('web page content', 'specified URL'). It distinguishes the core function but doesn't explicitly differentiate from the sibling tool 'fetch_urls', which appears to be a plural/multiple URL version.

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?

The description provides no guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'fetch_urls' or other web scraping methods. It lacks context about prerequisites, limitations, or typical use cases, leaving the agent with no usage direction beyond the basic purpose.

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