ebay_get_notification_public_key

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

No annotations are present, so the description must disclose behavioral traits. It fails to mention that this is a read-only operation, whether authentication is required, or any constraints on the public_key_id. The description is too brief to provide adequate transparency.

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 sentence that is concise and front-loaded. It could be slightly more informative without becoming verbose, but it effectively communicates the core purpose.

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?

There is no output schema, but the description does not explain what the response contains (e.g., the public key value or its format). It also lacks context on prerequisites, such as needing a subscription ID to obtain a public key ID. The description is adequate for a simple retrieval but incomplete in terms of end-to-end 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?

The input schema has 100% coverage, so the parameter description in the schema already explains 'public_key_id' as a unique identifier. The tool description adds no extra meaning beyond the schema, yielding a baseline score of 3.

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 ('Get') and the resource ('public key') with a specific purpose ('for verifying notification signatures'). It distinguishes this tool from sibling tools that deal with subscriptions, destinations, topics, etc.

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 implies usage for signature verification but does not explicitly state when to use this tool versus alternatives like 'ebay_get_notification_subscription' or 'ebay_get_signing_key'. No guidance on when not to use it is provided.

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