apple_reminders_set_alarm

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

Annotations already declare destructiveHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and openWorldHint=true, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds nothing further: it doesn't explain that null clears the alarm, whether an existing notification is overwritten, or any permission/authorization requirements.

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?

A single front-loaded sentence with no waste. It is efficient, though arguably too terse to carry the necessary semantics for a two-parameter mutation tool.

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 mutation tool with no output schema and 0% parameter documentation, the description does not supply enough: the id parameter, the clear-via-null convention, and any overwrite behavior are all missing. Annotations cover safety hints only.

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 0% for both parameters. The description implies remindAt is a date and that clearing is possible, which is marginal added value, but the required 'id' parameter is entirely unexplained in both the schema and the description.

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?

States a specific verb pair (set/clear) and resource (reminder notification date), which is enough to distinguish it from apple_reminders_update and apple_calendar_add_alarm. The naming mismatch between the tool name (set_alarm) and the description (notification date) is minor but slightly muddy.

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 when-to-use guidance, no mention of the alternative apple_reminders_update, and no explicit statement of how to clear the alarm. The word 'clear' hints at it but leaves the agent to infer that remindAt=null is the mechanism.

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