dss_list_channels

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

No annotations are provided, so the description must carry full behavioral disclosure. It mentions 'all or filtered by device' but is ambiguous given that device_id is required in the schema, and it does not disclose pagination behavior or what 'all' means. This creates confusion rather than transparency.

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 concise sentence, front-loaded with the action and resource, and contains no filler. It is appropriately sized for its purpose.

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 four parameters, no output schema, and no annotations, the description is incomplete. It fails to clarify the required device_id semantics relative to 'all', pagination defaults, or what the return structure looks like. The ambiguity around 'all' vs. required device_id is a critical gap.

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 covers 100% of parameters, so the baseline is 3. The description adds no new parameter-specific meaning beyond summarizing that filtering by device is possible, which is already evident from the schema's required device_id and optional device_code.

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 states a specific verb 'List' and resource 'video channels in Dahua DSS', and clarifies scope with 'all or filtered by device'. This clearly distinguishes it from sibling tools like dss_list_devices (devices) and dss_channel_status (status).

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 implies usage for listing channels, optionally filtered by device, but provides no explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance, nor does it mention alternatives. It offers context on filtering but lacks exclusion criteria relative to other DSS tools.

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