get_shows_updates_by_start_date

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

Annotations already declare this as read-only, idempotent, and non-destructive. The description adds useful behavioral context beyond that: pagination defaults are low, limits are capped and clamped rather than rejected, and start_date is interpreted as UTC. 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?

The description is well structured: a one-line summary, the endpoint, then parameter explanations and a useful pagination note. It is front-loaded and every section serves a purpose, though the endpoint line is somewhat redundant with 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 description covers the required start_date and the pagination behavior in detail, and the output schema plus annotations handle return values and safety. Missing context includes what 'updates' means, what 'extended' actually accepts, and how this tool relates to get_shows_updates_id_by_start_date.

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 does provide meaningful semantics for start_date, page, and limit, including clamping behavior. However, 'extended: Extended information to include in the response' is vague and does not explain accepted values or what extra data will be returned.

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 specific verb ('Get') and resource ('recently updated shows'), and includes the endpoint path, making the primary purpose clear. However, it does not explicitly distinguish itself from the sibling tool get_shows_updates_id_by_start_date, which presumably returns only IDs rather than full show data.

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 use case is implied: use this when you need recently updated shows starting from a UTC date. The description provides operational guidance on pagination defaults, but it does not state when to prefer this tool over alternatives such as get_shows_updates_id_by_start_date or the movies/people update variants.

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