set_global_version

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

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden. It describes the mutation (setting the global version) but discloses no behavioral context: no mention of side effects, whether the version must already be installed, reversibility, or impact on existing environments. This is a significant gap for a state-changing tool.

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 extremely concise, front-loads the primary purpose, and includes only a small helpful Args section. Every sentence contributes meaning, with no filler or redundant restatement of the tool name.

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 tool is simple with one parameter and an output schema, but the description omits important operational context: the prerequisite that the version must be installed, and the behavioral effects of changing the global version. It is minimally viable but has clear gaps that could mislead an agent selecting this tool over install_version or set_local_version.

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%, so the description must compensate. It defines version as 'The version string to set globally' and provides an example ('3.12.2'), giving clear semantic and format guidance beyond the bare schema property. It could note installation requirements, but the core parameter meaning is well covered.

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: 'Set the global Python version for pyenv.' The term 'global' clearly distinguishes this from sibling set_local_version, so an agent can understand its unique role without ambiguity.

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 guidance on when to use this tool versus alternatives, no mention of prerequisites (such as the version needing to be installed via install_version), and no explicit exclusions. The 'global' wording implies scope but does not provide actionable selection criteria.

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