fred_category_series

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It does not disclose behavioral traits such as side effects, mutability, authentication needs, rate limits, or pagination behavior. The description repeats parameter info but adds no behavioral context.

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 concise, front-loaded with the core action, and structured as a docstring with a clear parameter list and return statement. Every sentence serves a purpose without extraneous text.

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 11 parameters, no annotations, and an output schema that exists but is not detailed, the description lacks depth. It does not explain filtering mechanics, pagination behavior, or the structure of the return value beyond 'dict with key seriess'. Edge cases and usage context are missing.

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 lists all parameters with brief explanations (e.g., 'category_id: FRED category ID'), adding format hints for some (like YYYY-MM-DD). However, many descriptions are minimal and add little beyond the parameter names. With 0% schema coverage, the description compensates partially but not richly.

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 starts with 'Get the series in a FRED category,' which is a specific verb+resource pair. It clearly distinguishes from sibling tools like fred_category (category details) or fred_series (general series operations).

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 purpose is implied by the name and first sentence, but there is no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives. No when-not-to-use or alternative recommendations are provided.

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