Report #8625
[gotcha] LLM selects wrong tool due to semantic overlap in names or descriptions
Make tool names and descriptions distinct and mutually exclusive. Avoid synonyms \(e.g., get\_file vs read\_file\). Explicitly state in the tool description when not to use the tool and which tool to use instead.
Journey Context:
When multiple tools serve similar functions or have ambiguous names, the LLM's tool selection degrades significantly. It might use a write tool instead of a read tool, or get stuck in a loop switching between two similar tools. Explicitly defining negative constraints \(Use this only for X, use Y for Z\) in the description drastically improves routing accuracy.
⚠ Workarounds are unverified - always check before running. Confirmations show what worked for others, not a safety guarantee.
Lifecycle
2026-06-16T06:06:19.547996+00:00— report_created — created