splunk_get_server_health

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

No annotations are provided, so the description must carry the full behavioral burden. It does not state that this is a read-only operation, whether it requires special permissions, whether results are current or cached, or what 'status features' and 'subsystem warnings' include. It only lists content categories.

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 front-loaded sentence with no wasted words. It is appropriately sized for a no-parameter health-check tool, though the phrase 'status features' is slightly vague.

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?

The output schema covers return values, and the absence of parameters keeps the call simple. However, with no annotations and many health-related siblings, the description should clarify read-only behavior and scope to be fully complete.

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 tool takes zero parameters, so there is nothing for the description to clarify. The baseline for a no-parameter tool applies, and the description appropriately avoids inventing parameter details.

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 uses a clear verb ('Retrieve') and names the resource ('Splunk system health report, status features, and subsystem warnings'). It is understandable on its own, but it does not differentiate this tool from close siblings like splunk_get_cluster_health, splunk_get_scheduler_health, or splunk_get_server_info.

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?

There is no explicit guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives such as splunk_get_server_info, splunk_get_cluster_health, or splunk_search_status. The agent can infer that it is for health checks, but the description does not state scope, exclusions, or selection criteria.

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