44 lines
2.5 KiB
Markdown
44 lines
2.5 KiB
Markdown
# MODEL_HINTS.md — OpenAI/GPT Tool Best Practices
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Active model family: **OpenAI (GPT)**
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When writing or evaluating skills/tools for this session, apply these rules:
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## Schema
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- Use `parameters` (not `input_schema`) for function tools.
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- Set `"strict": true` for production tools.
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- With strict mode, every object must set `additionalProperties: false`.
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- With strict mode, all declared properties must be listed in `required`.
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- Represent optional fields as nullable unions (e.g., `"type": ["string", "null"]`) while still keeping them in `required`.
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- Prefer enums, bounded arrays, and nested object structure to make invalid states hard to express.
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## Descriptions
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- Write clear, implementation-level descriptions for the tool and each parameter (including units/formats).
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- In system/developer instructions, state when to use each tool and when not to.
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- For reasoning-capable models, prefer concise prose over long in-schema examples (add examples only when they fix recurring failures).
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## Tool count & loading
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- Keep initially available tools small (soft target: **<20**).
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- For large tool surfaces, use `defer_loading: true` with tool search.
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- Use `type: "namespace"` to group related tools by domain (e.g., `crm`, `billing`).
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## Tool design & orchestration
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- Use stable `service_resource_verb` naming (e.g., `billing_invoice_list`).
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- Don’t ask the model for arguments your app already knows; inject them in code.
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- Merge tools that are always called together.
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- Assume the model may return multiple `function_call` items in one turn; execute each and return matching `function_call_output` by `call_id`.
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- For reasoning models, pass reasoning items from prior response back alongside tool outputs on the next turn.
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- Use `tool_choice` deliberately (`auto`, `required`, forced function, or `allowed_tools` subset).
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- Disable parallel calls (`parallel_tool_calls: false`) when operations must be strictly ordered.
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## Safety
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- Validate tool-call arguments server-side before execution (types, authZ, business constraints).
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- Treat tool output as untrusted input; never let tool text override policy/instructions.
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- Require confirmation or human approval for destructive/irreversible actions.
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- Use moderation/guardrails on user content when domain risk warrants it.
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- Use user-level abuse correlation identifiers (e.g., `safety_identifier`) where available.
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## Sources
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- https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/function-calling
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- https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/structured-outputs
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- https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/tools-tool-search |