Semester Academic Status

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

With no annotations, the description carries the burden of behavioral disclosure. The word 'Return' suggests a read-only operation and the description names the returned contents, but it does not mention authentication requirements, error behavior, or what happens when the optional semester parameter is omitted.

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 efficient sentence, front-loaded with the action and resource, and the parenthetical detail is useful rather than redundant. Every word earns its place.

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?

Although the tool has only one optional parameter and an output schema exists, the description still leaves key invocation details unclear: how to represent a semester, whether null means 'current semester,' and when this tool should be used over closely related sibling tools. This is a meaningful gap for correct usage.

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%, so the description must compensate for the undocumented 'semester' parameter. It only says 'for one semester,' which adds minimal meaning beyond the parameter name; it does not specify accepted formats, value domains, or the behavior of the null default.

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 uses a specific verb ('Return') and names a clear resource: a one-semester academic status snapshot with class level, credits, and GPA. This mostly distinguishes it from likely siblings like transcript or academic standing, though it does not explicitly call out those alternatives.

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 phrase 'for one semester' gives useful context that this is a semester-scoped query, implying it is not for cumulative standing or full transcripts. However, it provides no explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance relative to sibling tools such as obs_get_academic_standing or obs_get_transcript.

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