childcare_states

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 adequately describes the tool's purpose as retrieving and comparing averages but does not disclose any behavioral traits such as data freshness, response size, or potential errors. It offers minimal transparency beyond the core function.

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 efficiently conveys the tool's purpose without unnecessary words. Every part is informative and earns its place, making it highly concise.

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 simple single-parameter schema and lack of output schema or annotations, the description provides sufficient context for an agent to understand the tool's function and output. It mentions the scope ('all US states') and the comparative nature of the data, though details on output format are absent.

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 covers the single parameter 'year' with a description, achieving 100% schema coverage. The description does not add any additional meaning to the parameter beyond what is already in the schema, so it meets the baseline of 3 without providing extra value.

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 it retrieves childcare cost averages for all US states and compares center-based and family childcare pricing. However, it does not differentiate itself from sibling tools like childcare_compare or childcare_cost, which likely have related functionality, thus limiting clarity in distinguishing when to use this tool over alternatives.

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 the other childcare-related tools or on any prerequisites or context for invocation. The description lacks explicit usage constraints or recommendations.

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