Managing tools from an agent

Tools can be used to enhance your agent's capabilities and allow them to perform more complex operations.

To manage your agent's tools, you can:

Add a tool

Tools can be added to your agent from the catalog, from your local instance, by importing an OpenAPI specification, or creating a flow using the flow builder.

To add a tool to your agent, from the agent's toolset in the Toolset section, click Add tool.

The following options are available

To import Python tools, use the Agent Development Kit (ADK). To learn more, see Creating agents with the ADK.

Add tool from catalog

This option enables you to add tools from the catalog.

  1. From the Add a new tool menu, select the Add from catalog option.
  2. Find and select the tool that you want to add and click Add to agent.

Add tool from a local instance

This option enables you to add tools from a local instance. Tools in the local isntance can include any previously imported tools, any tools that were previously added from the catalog, or any tools that were created and uploaded using the CLI.

  1. From the Add a new tool menu, select the Add from local instance option.
  2. Select the tool that you want to add and click Add to agent.

Import tools from an OpenAPI

To import tools from an OpenAPI specification, you can upload your OpenAPI specification and select the operations that you want to import as tools. Each operation is created as a separate tool.

  1. From the Add a new tool menu, select the Import option.
  2. Click Import from file.
  3. Drag and drop your OpenAPI file to upload. After the file is uploaded, click Next.
  4. Select the operations that you want to create as tools, then click Next.
  5. Do one of the following to associate connections with the OpenAPI specification:
    • Choose an available connection.
    • Click Add new connection to create a new one. You must provide the connection details to configure the connection in the Add new connection window.
  6. Click Done.

Import tools from an MCP server

You can connect to Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for importing external tools and add them to your agents, enhancing your agent’s ability to accomplish tasks.

  1. From the Add a new tool menu, select the Import option.
  2. Click Import from MCP server. See Importing tools from an MCP server.

Create a tool using the flow builder

Create a tool using the flow builder. A flow is a type of tool that defines a set of linked activities and controls that are designed to achieve a specific business purpose or goal.

  1. From the Add a new tool menu, select the Create a new tool option. This opens the tool builder.
  2. Add activities and flow controls. See Creating flows.

Create a tool using the ADK

Alternatively, you can use the ADK to upload OpenAPI or Python tools. The ADK provides a set of libraries that you can use to develop agents and tools. To learn more, see using the ADK.

What to do next

Once a tool is added to the toolset, an agent can start using it. After adding your tools to your agent's toolset, consider the following

  • Update the tool's description. The agent uses the tool description field to determine whether it will use the tool and how it will use the tool. Make sure to provide a detailed description for how the agent can use the tool. To update the tool description, click the tool menu and select Edit details. When you are satisfied with your description, click Save. You can continue to iterate on the description, as you test the tool.
  • Test the tool. To test your tool, use the prompt in the Preview chat window to invoke your tool.

Edit a tool

You can edit a tool by changing it's name, description, inputs and outputs.

  1. From the agent's toolset in the Toolset section, find your tool in the list of tools.
  2. Select the tool's overflow menu and click Edit details.
  3. Edit the Name or Description field.
  4. Edit the inputs or outputs, and click Save changes.

Remove a tool

Tools can be removed from your agent.

  1. From the agent's toolset in the Toolset section, find your tool in the list of tools.
  2. Select the tool's overflow menu and click Remove.

This action removes the tool from the agent but retains the tool in your local instance.