get_row

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

With no annotations, the description carries the behavioral burden. It discloses success and error return shapes, including what happens for unknown ids or columns, and the projection behavior. It does not explicitly state the operation is read-only, though 'Fetch' and the return contract make that reasonably clear.

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 front-loaded with purpose, then gives usage guidance, args, returns, and an example in a compact, organized format. Every section adds necessary information and there is no filler.

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 three-parameter read tool with no annotations and no property descriptions in the schema, the description provides everything needed: purpose, when to use, parameter semantics, return contract, error behavior, and a concrete example. Nothing critical is missing.

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 fully compensate, and it does. It explains dataset as an exact name, row_id with an example, and columns as an optional projection list, plus a complete call example. All three parameters are effectively documented.

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 opens with a specific verb and resource: 'Fetch a single row by id,' optionally limited to columns. It clearly distinguishes this tool from siblings like search_rows by emphasizing single-record retrieval, and includes concrete user-phrase examples.

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?

It gives an explicit when-to-use condition with examples like 'show me row 12' and advises requesting only needed columns to keep responses small. However, it does not explicitly name when-not-to-use or point to search_rows for multi-record queries, so it stops short of full alternative guidance.

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