search_x402_services

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

With no annotations, the description carries the burden and does disclose useful behavioral traits: it returns service summaries with price (USD), uptime, status, and verification, and prices are in US dollars. It does not cover pagination or error behavior, but for a read-only search this is reasonably transparent.

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?

Three sentences, front-loaded with the primary action. Every sentence provides value: what it does, what can be filtered/sorted, and what it returns with a currency note. No filler or redundancy.

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 9 parameters and no output schema, the description adequately summarizes the return content and supported filters/sorts. It does not explicitly describe pagination, but the schema defines page and per_page, so this is not a critical omission. Overall complete for a search tool of this complexity.

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 coverage is high at 78%, so baseline 3 applies. The description mentions filterable fields (free-text, category, network, live status, signable, sort) but does not add semantic meaning beyond what the parameter descriptions already provide, such as the meaning of 'signable' or the values for 'status'.

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 'Search and filter the x402-list directory of services that accept x402 payments,' which clearly states the verb (search/filter) and resource (directory). This distinguishes it from siblings like get_service (specific service) and find_best_service (optimized selection).

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 conveys a clear use case: searching and filtering the directory by various criteria. It does not explicitly name alternative tools or exclusionary conditions, but the context is sufficient to understand when this is appropriate compared to siblings.

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