Countdown

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure, but it only says 'manage' without explaining side effects, mutability, prerequisites, or what happens when a countdown fires. Given the nested world_effect and on_scene_transition parameters in the schema, the description should disclose that setting a countdown can trigger world-model effects or advance on scene transitions.

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 two sentences with no filler. It front-loads the core purpose, then provides usage conditions and exclusions in an efficient, scannable format.

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 tool with nine parameters, a nested object, and no output schema or annotations, the description is somewhat minimal. It clearly supports tool selection and basic invocation, but it lacks context about countdown behavior, side effects, and prerequisites that would help an agent correctly invoke advanced options like world_effect or on_scene_transition.

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 100%, so the schema already documents all nine parameters. The description adds minor value by mapping 'starting, advancing, removing, listing' to the action enum values, but it does not provide deeper meaning beyond the schema.

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 states the tool manages countdown timers in the active Novel and names the specific operations: starting, advancing, removing, or listing clocks. It also explicitly distinguishes itself from the sibling vow tool, so an agent can quickly identify the correct resource and action.

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 gives explicit when-to-use guidance for countdown operations and an explicit when-not-to-use exclusion for vow progress tracking, including the specific alternative tool and action: vow (action: milestone). This leaves no ambiguity about tool selection.

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