translate_file

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

With no annotations, description fully discloses behavior: auto-detects language, saves audio next to source, plays it, and returns text. No mentions of side effects like file overwrite, but overall transparency is good.

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?

Five sentences, front-loaded with purpose, but somewhat repetitive ('automatically detects...', 'saves and plays'). Could be tightened without losing clarity.

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?

Covers input format, language pair, output actions, and return value. Missing details like error handling or file size limits, but sufficient given tool simplicity and no output 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 already covers 'file_path' with recommendations (16 kHz, mono, 16-bit). Description adds minimal new info ('absolute path') beyond repeating schema content. Schema coverage is 100%, so baseline 3 is appropriate.

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?

Description clearly states the tool translates speech audio between English and Mandarin Chinese using a WAV file. It specifies the input and output, and implicitly distinguishes from sibling 'translate_speech' by focusing on file translation.

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?

No explicit when-to-use or when-not-to-use guidance. It implies usage for translating speech audio files but doesn't compare to alternatives like 'translate_speech' or discuss prerequisites.

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