Prepare a meal plan

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

Annotations already declare write/idempotent/destructive flags. The word 'Stage' usefully implies this is a draft/pending operation presumably requiring a later confirm_action, and 'draft' signals the grocery list is not yet committed. Beyond that it does not say what gets created, whether it is reversible, or what confirmation step follows.

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?

A single front-loaded sentence with no filler, verb and resources stated up front. It is efficient, though arguably under-specified rather than maximally 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?

With 4 optional params, no output schema, and no annotations explaining the 'stage' lifecycle, the description leaves key questions open: what the staged plan contains, what happens after staging, and how the drafted grocery list relates to prepare_create_grocery_list. More context is needed for correct invocation.

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% across 4 parameters. The description only hints at 'days' (via 'one-to-seven-day'); servings, start_date, and max_minutes are undocumented in both schema and description, so it fails to compensate for the coverage gap.

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?

States a specific verb and resource ('Stage creating a ... meal plan and draft grocery list') with a clear scope ('one-to-seven-day'). However, it does not differentiate from siblings such as prepare_create_grocery_list, which also concerns a grocery list, leaving the boundary between the two unclear.

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 indication of when to use this tool versus alternatives (e.g. prepare_prepare_meal, prepare_create_grocery_list, get_current_meal_plan). The day range is a parameter constraint, not usage guidance.

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