Get one album

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

The description adds substantial behavioral context beyond the readOnlyHint/openWorldHint/idempotentHint annotations: what fields are returned, the special meaning of a 404 (album exists but not app-created), and a hard time-based scope limitation (since 2025-04-01). No contradiction with annotations.

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?

Two short paragraphs, the first front-loading the core action and result fields, the second packing troubleshooting and scope limitations into three tight sentences. Every sentence carries useful information with zero 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?

For a single-item read tool with no output schema, this is fully complete: an agent knows what it will get, how errors behave, which scope applies, and what the id originates from. The only omission is the optional account parameter, which is already covered by the schema.

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 100% and both parameters are fully described in the schema. The description reinforces that album_id is the lookup key but adds no new semantics about the account parameter or value formats, so the baseline of 3 applies.

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 a specific verb and resource: 'Fetch a single album by id', naming the exact return scope (item count, cover photo, sharing state). It clearly differentiates from siblings like list_albums by emphasizing single-album retrieval.

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?

It implies the correct usage context (when you already have an album id) and provides critical exclusions: the album must have been created by this app, and Google Photos native albums are invisible. It does not explicitly name an alternative tool (e.g., list_albums), but the guidance is clear enough for an agent to select this over fetching a list.

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