get_budget_summary

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, so the description does not need to restate that. It adds the output content but lacks behavioral details like whether the month must be part of an active budget, how default month behaves, or performance implications. With good annotation coverage, the description adds moderate value.

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, well-structured sentence of 18 words that front-loads the purpose and lists key outputs. Every word contributes information without redundancy.

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 simple, read-only tool with one optional parameter and no output schema, the description adequately lists the output metrics. It does not explain the return structure or edge cases, but the listed items provide sufficient contextual completeness for its complexity.

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 parameter 'month' is already documented with format and default behavior. The tool description only references 'for a given month' without adding syntactic detail or usage notes, meeting the baseline but not exceeding it.

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 provides an executive summary of the budget with specific metrics (totals by category group, total income, expenses, savings rate, to-be-budgeted) for a given month. The verb 'get' and resource 'budget summary' are precise, and it distinguishes from siblings like budget_vs_actual or category_trends by specifying it's a single-month overview.

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 hints at usage for a monthly overview but does not explicitly compare to alternatives such as monthly_summary or get_budget_month. No 'when to use' or 'when not to use' guidance is provided, leaving the agent to infer context from the metrics listed.

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