DESIGNING GOOD TOOLS

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING • What makes a good tool name? ◦ Answer: a specific verb and noun, like create_calendar_event, used consistently. • Why prefer small composable tools? ◦ Answer: they have clearer purposes, simpler schemas, and are easier to test and combine. • What should a helpful error message include? ◦ Answer: what went wrong, why, and what to try next, without leaking sensitive details. • Why does idempotency matter for agents? ◦ Answer: because agents and harnesses retry, and a non-idempotent tool would duplicate effects. • Give two ways to make a tool idempotent. ◦ Answer: use set instead of increment, check before writing, or use an idempotency key.