cantrip_init

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

With no annotations provided, the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. It effectively describes key behaviors: credit costs (5 credits for brief_text), file system impact (writes .cantrip.json automatically), workflow implications (need to add entities manually if no brief), and post-creation recommendations. It doesn't mention error conditions, rate limits, or authentication requirements, but provides substantial operational context beyond basic functionality.

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 appropriately sized with three sentences that each serve distinct purposes: first explains core functionality and parameter options, second describes the automatic file writing, third provides workflow guidance. It's front-loaded with the most critical information. Minor improvement could be made by tightening the third sentence, but overall it's efficient with zero wasted text.

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 no annotations and no output schema, the description provides substantial context for a creation tool with 4 parameters. It covers the main functionality, parameter semantics, cost implications, file system impact, and workflow recommendations. The main gap is lack of information about return values or error conditions, but for a tool with good parameter documentation and behavioral transparency, this is reasonably 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?

Schema description coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 3. The description adds significant value by explaining the semantic differences between brief_text and brief_path parameters, including cost implications (5 credits for brief_text), preference guidance ('preferred' for brief_text), and behavioral differences (file reading locally for brief_path). It also clarifies that name and description are required while brief parameters are optional, which goes beyond the schema's required field listing.

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 clearly states the tool creates a new project and connects the workspace to it, specifying the verb 'create' and resource 'project'. It distinguishes from siblings like cantrip_connect (which likely connects to existing projects) and cantrip_entity_add (which adds entities after creation). The description also mentions automatic .cantrip.json file writing, which is a specific implementation detail.

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 provides clear context on when to use different parameter combinations (with brief_text for auto-extraction costing credits, with brief_path for file reading, or without brief for free empty creation). It also mentions the workflow after creation ('add a few entities and confirm them with the user before going deeper'). However, it doesn't explicitly state when NOT to use this tool or name specific alternatives among the sibling tools.

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