list_profiles

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It adds a valuable safety guarantee: 'Secrets are never returned,' which tells the agent that sensitive data is intentionally excluded. The verb 'List' also implicitly signals a read-only operation.

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 with no wasted words. The core action and the key security caveat are both front-loaded and easy to parse.

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 simple zero-parameter list operation, the description is largely complete: it states what is listed and what is intentionally omitted. However, with no output schema, it does not specify the shape or fields of the returned profile list, which would further help an agent reason about the result.

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 and an empty input schema, so parameter semantics are trivially satisfied. The description correctly implies that no arguments are needed to list profiles. The baseline of 4 applies because there are no parameters for the description to clarify.

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 ('List') and a clear resource ('configured Survey Solutions profiles'), making the tool's function immediately obvious. It also adds a meaningful qualifier ('Secrets are never returned') that sharpens the purpose. This distinguishes it adequately from profile-related siblings like get_active_profile.

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 gives no explicit guidance about when to use this tool versus alternatives such as get_active_profile, set_active_profile, or get_profile_permissions. While the phrase 'configured profiles' hints at enumeration, it does not state when listing is appropriate or when another profile tool should be chosen.

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