Agent design

Tool schemas are product interfaces for agents

An agent can only choose tools well when names, descriptions, and input requirements make actions understandable.

Aryan (@istmX)3 min read
A close-up of a computer circuit board

Start with a clear boundary

Name tools by intent and give each one a clear outcome. A large generic tool with many unrelated arguments makes the model’s choice harder.

Handle failure deliberately

Validate inputs and permissions in application code. A model may propose a call, but the service must decide whether it is allowed.

Make the result understandable

Small composable tools are easier to observe and retry. Return structured errors that help correct a call without exposing internals.