zyxel_show_startup_config

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries full responsibility for behavioral disclosure. 'Display' implies a read-only operation, but the description does not clarify whether a connection to the device is required, whether it reads from a cached store, or if it has any side effects. This is minimal transparency for a tool that interacts with a network device.

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 contains no filler or redundant information. It is appropriately concise for a tool with no parameters and a simple action.

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?

Given the tool's simplicity (no parameters, no output schema), the description is mostly adequate, but it lacks a small bit of context: it does not clarify that 'startup configuration' is the saved configuration used at device boot time, as opposed to the running configuration shown by the sibling tool 'zyxel_show_running_config'. This distinction would help the agent select the correct tool.

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?

The tool has zero parameters, which per the rubric receives a baseline of 4. There is no parameter ambiguity, and the description does not need to explain any argument semantics.

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 action ('Display') and the target resource ('startup configuration'), making the tool's purpose unambiguous. However, it does not explicitly distinguish it from the sibling tool 'zyxel_show_running_config', though the name itself conveys the distinction.

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 guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'zyxel_show_running_config' or 'zyxel_save_config'. It also omits any prerequisites, such as whether a connection must be established first. This leaves the agent without clear decision-making context.

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