Open Trivia DB — Global Question Statistics

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

Annotations already declare readOnlyHint, openWorldHint, idempotentHint, and destructiveHint, so the safety profile is covered. The description adds source attribution, CC BY-SA 4.0 licensing, and 'free unlimited' usage, plus a typical volume (5000+ questions across 24 categories). These are useful contextual details, but the description does not discuss edge cases or error behavior, so it only modestly exceeds the structured 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 three sentences, front-loaded with the core function, and includes relevant details (coverage, sibling note, source) without fluff. Slightly longer than strictly necessary due to the source/licensing sentence, but every sentence earns its place.

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?

For a zero-parameter, read-only statistics tool with an output schema present, the description covers what data is returned, when to use it, and a key relationship to a sibling tool. The output schema handles return-value details, so the description is complete enough for an agent to decide and invoke correctly.

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?

The tool effectively has zero parameters (only a placeholder in the schema) and schema coverage is 100%, so the baseline is 4 per the rubric. The description adds no parameter-specific details, but none are needed since the placeholder explicitly states 'No parameters required' and the description focuses on the output.

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 and resource ('Get global question counts across the entire Open Trivia Database') and enumerates the returned metrics (total, verified, pending, rejected, per-category breakdown). It also distinguishes itself from the sibling opentdb.trivia.questions by noting that only verified questions are returned there, making the tool's role clear.

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 states when this tool is useful ('Useful for understanding database coverage') and names an alternative explicitly ('only verified questions are returned by opentdb.trivia.questions'), which helps an agent choose between stats and actual questions. It does not contrast with opentdb.trivia.category_count, so the guidance is helpful but not exhaustive.

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