Quick Reference: Which Output Surface Fits?
Recall the fastest checks for choosing prose, JSON mode, strict schema, or tool calling.
When is plain structured text usually enough? When a human is the main consumer and no automated system must trust fixed fields to act safely. Use it for summaries, reflections, or recommendations that a person will inspect before anything operational happens. JSON mode vs strict schema Ask who consumes the output next and what it costs if a field drifts. What is the fastest test for “should this be a tool call”? If the next line of code wants to execute an operation, expose the operation as a tool instead of asking for descriptive JSON. Action boundaries are easier to…
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