BEA — US State GDP by Industry

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint=true, openWorldHint=true, idempotentHint=true, and destructiveHint=false, covering the safety profile. The description adds useful context about the source table (CAGDP2) and units ('thousands of dollars'), but does not disclose additional operational behaviors such as rate limits, response size limits, or pagination. This is consistent with the annotations, so no contradiction.

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 three sentences, action-first, and free of filler. The final GeoFips sentence partially duplicates schema information, which prevents a perfect score, but it is still brief and contextually useful.

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 the detailed input schema, the safety annotations, and the presence of an output schema, the description covers all essential facts: source table, units, geographic coverage, industry dimensions, and common use cases. No critical information for selecting or invoking the tool is missing.

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?

Input schema coverage is 100%, and the schema itself is highly detailed with defaults, accepted formats, and examples for every parameter. The description's mention of 'GeoFips parameter supports individual state FIPS codes, all states, MSAs, or counties' is largely redundant with the schema and adds no new parameter-level semantics. Baseline of 3 is therefore 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?

The description opens with a specific verb-resource pair: 'Retrieve real GDP by US state from the BEA Regional Economic Accounts (CAGDP2 table)'. It clearly defines the output scope ('all 50 states + DC + US total by year and industry component') and distinguishes itself from national-level BEA tools by emphasizing state/regional granularity.

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 explicitly directs usage: 'Use for state-level economic analysis, regional comparisons, and industry cluster research.' It does not name alternative tools or exclusion conditions, but it gives enough context to route an agent to this regional tool over the national or industry-level BEA siblings.

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