Get recent account balances

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

Annotations already cover read-only and idempotent behavior, so the bar is lower. The description adds useful scoping context: it returns daily balance arrays for every account and is bound to a start date. However, it does not disclose behavior such as default date range if start_date is omitted or response limits, but annotations cover the main side-effect concerns.

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 clear sentence that front-loads the operation and scope. There is no filler or repetition of information already in the schema or annotations.

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 one-parameter read-only tool with an output schema, the description is almost complete. It tells the agent exactly what data to expect and the date anchoring. The only minor gap is behavior when start_date is omitted (required: 0), but 'recent' in the title and the option to explicitly provide a date mitigate this uncertainty.

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 coverage for the single parameter is 100%; the schema already documents start_date as a YYYY-MM-DD date with validation. The description's 'starting on a date' reinforces the parameter's role but adds no new format or semantics beyond the schema. Baseline 3 applies.

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 a precise operation: 'Get daily balance arrays for every account starting on a date.' This clearly differentiates the tool from siblings like get_account_holdings or get_account_history by focusing on daily balance arrays across all accounts. The resource and scope are unambiguous.

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 when-to-use guidance, alternatives, or exclusion criteria. Sibling tools exist (e.g., get_account_history, get_net_worth_history), but the text does not indicate when to choose this over them. Usage must be inferred entirely from the description.

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