Reddit Trends

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

Without annotations, the description must carry the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It only states what the tool does (get posts) but does not mention that it is a read-only operation, that it returns a list of posts, or any potential limits or side effects. The lack of any behavioral notes makes it less transparent.

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 efficiently conveys the core action and key options (listing types and subreddit plural support). It is front-loaded and contains no extraneous information.

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 absence of an output schema, the description should explain what the tool returns (e.g., a list of posts with titles, URLs, scores). It does not, leaving the agent unsure of the response format. The tool is simple, but the description still lacks completeness for selecting and using the tool correctly.

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 is 100%, so the schema already documents all four parameters. The description adds minimal new meaning beyond what is in the schema; it reiterates 'hot, top, or new' which is already in the listing enum. No additional context or usage tips are provided for parameters like time or limit.

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 retrieves posts with options for hot, top, or new listings from one or more subreddits. However, it does not differentiate from siblings like reddit_search or reddit_thread, missing an opportunity to specify this tool is for browsing aggregated per-subreddit content rather than searching across all of Reddit.

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 guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. For example, it does not mention that this tool is best for popular posts across multiple subreddits, while reddit_search is for targeted keyword searches or reddit_thread for individual discussions.

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