What are Tools?
Tools are the actions your agents can take. They’re step-by-step automations you build in a no-code builder — things like calling an API, running an LLM prompt, sending an email, searching a database, or executing custom code. You can give tools to your agents so they know how to complete tasks, share them as standalone forms, or run them in bulk across a knowledge table.What are the benefits of Tools?
Extend what agents can do
Without tools, agents can only talk. With tools, they can take real actions — update your CRM, send emails, search the web, and more.
No-code builder
Build tools visually by chaining steps together. No engineering required.
Reusable across agents
Build a tool once and give it to any agent. Share it with your team or publish it to the Marketplace.
Full flexibility
Use pre-built integrations, call any API, or write custom Python. Whatever your workflow needs.
How Tools Work
Every tool follows the same pattern: inputs → steps → outputs.- Inputs — the data the tool receives. Text, numbers, files, or data passed from an agent or another tool.
- Steps — the actions the tool performs in sequence. Each step can use the output of previous steps. Steps include LLM prompts, API calls, integrations, code execution, and more.
- Outputs — what the tool returns when it’s done. Text, links, structured data, or files that get passed back to the agent or displayed to the user.
Where are Tools most useful?
Tools shine anywhere your agents need to take action beyond conversation:- CRM updates: Automatically create, update, or enrich records in HubSpot, Salesforce, and other systems
- Email and messaging: Send emails, Slack messages, or notifications as part of a workflow
- Web search and scraping: Pull live information from the web to inform agent decisions
- Data processing: Transform, filter, or analyze data with code steps or LLM prompts
- Third-party APIs: Connect to any external service — payment processors, marketing platforms, internal systems, and more
How to get the most from your Tools?
- Keep tools focused: Each tool should do one thing well. Break complex workflows into smaller, composable tools.
- Write clear descriptions: Your agent uses the tool’s name and description to decide when to use it — make them specific.
- Define inputs carefully: Use descriptive input names and set sensible defaults so agents pass the right data.
- Test step by step: Run individual steps as you build to catch issues early instead of debugging the whole chain.
- Reuse and share: Build tools once, then give them to multiple agents or share with your team via the Marketplace.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do I need coding knowledge to build a tool?
Do I need coding knowledge to build a tool?
No. The Tool Builder is a no-code interface where you chain steps together visually. If you need custom logic, you can add a code step with Python, but it’s entirely optional.
What's the difference between a tool and an agent?
What's the difference between a tool and an agent?
An agent thinks, plans, and decides what to do. A tool is a specific action the agent can take — like calling an API or sending an email. Agents use tools to get work done.
Can I use the same tool across multiple agents?
Can I use the same tool across multiple agents?
Yes. Tools are reusable. Build a tool once and assign it to as many agents as you like.
How do I debug a tool that isn't working?
How do I debug a tool that isn't working?
Use the Logs tab in the Tool Builder to review past executions. You can see exactly what each step received and returned, making it easy to pinpoint where things went wrong.
Can I call external APIs from a tool?
Can I call external APIs from a tool?
Yes. You can add an API step to call any REST endpoint, pass headers and parameters, and use the response in subsequent steps.