quote

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

With no annotations, the description must disclose behavioral traits. It only says 'Quote price for a skill (free).' This fails to mention whether the tool modifies state, requires authentication, has rate limits, or what the return value is. The '(free)' hint is minimal.

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 extremely concise (one short sentence). While brevity is valued, it lacks structure and fails to provide essential information. It is not front-loaded with key actions but is too sparse to be effective.

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 low complexity (1 param, no output schema), the description should still explain what a 'quote' is, how it relates to skills, and what the output represents. It is incomplete, missing details that would help an agent use 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?

The schema has one parameter 'skill_id' with 0% description coverage. The description does not explain the parameter's meaning, format, or constraints. It adds no value beyond the schema, leaving the agent to infer that skill_id identifies a skill.

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 ('Quote price') and the resource ('a skill'). It distinguishes the tool from siblings like 'purchase_credits' or 'balance' by focusing on price quoting. However, it could be more specific about the output format or context.

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 usage guidance is provided. There is no information on when to use this tool versus alternatives (e.g., 'get_skill' for details, 'balance' for current credits). The brevity implies use for pricing, but no exclusions or prerequisites.

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