> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://learn.getodin.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tools

> Add custom tools and workflows to your agents

The **Tools** tab in the Agent Builder allows you to add custom tools and workflows to your agents. Unlike **Toolkits** (which are pre-built integrations), **Tools** are user-created custom tools and workflows that extend your agent's capabilities with specific functionality tailored to your needs.

## Overview

**Tools** enable you to:

* **Add Custom Tools**: Attach custom tools you've created in your project
* **Add Workflows**: Include workflows/actions that execute multi-step processes
* **Create New Tools**: Build new custom tools directly from the agent builder
* **Manage Tool Configuration**: Configure how tools are used by the agent
* **Browse Tool Library**: Access thousands of pre-built tools from the public library

## Tools vs. Toolkits

Understanding the difference helps you choose the right approach:

| Feature           | Tools                                       | Toolkits                         |
| ----------------- | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Type**          | Custom tools and workflows                  | Pre-built integrations           |
| **Creation**      | User-created or from library                | Pre-configured by Odin AI        |
| **Scope**         | Project-specific or public                  | Platform-wide integrations       |
| **Configuration** | Full customization                          | Pre-configured with options      |
| **Examples**      | Custom API calls, workflows, business logic | Gmail, Slack, Google Drive, etc. |

**When to Use Tools:**

* You need custom business logic
* You want to create reusable workflows
* You need to integrate with custom APIs
* You want to combine multiple operations into one tool

**When to Use Toolkits:**

* You need standard integrations (Gmail, Slack, etc.)
* You want pre-configured authentication
* You need common operations (send email, create task, etc.)

## Accessing the Tools Tab

1. **Open Agent Builder**
   * Navigate to **Agents** in the sidebar
   * Click **Edit** on an existing agent or **Create Agent**
   * The Agent Builder will open

2. **Navigate to Tools Tab**
   * In the left sidebar, click on **Tools**
   * The Tools tab will display with your selected tools and options to add more

## Adding Tools to Your Agent

### Adding Existing Custom Tools

1. **Open Tools Selector**
   * Click **+ Add Tool** button in the Tools tab
   * The Tools Selector modal will open

2. **Browse Available Tools**
   * **Custom Tools**: Tools you've created in your project
   * **Public Tools**: Tools from the public library (9,000+ available)
   * **Workflows**: Existing workflows from your project

3. **Search and Filter**
   * Use the search bar to find specific tools
   * Filter by category or type
   * Browse by popularity or recent additions

4. **Select a Tool**
   * Click on a tool to view its details
   * Review the tool's description and inputs
   * Click **Add** to attach it to your agent

### Creating a New Custom Tool

1. **From Tools Selector**
   * Click **+ Add Tool** in the Tools tab
   * Click **Create Custom Tool** in the modal
   * You'll be redirected to the Tool Builder

2. **From Empty State**
   * If you have no tools, click **Create Your First Tool**
   * This opens the Tool Builder for a new tool

3. **Configure Your Tool**
   * **Name**: Give your tool a descriptive name
   * **Description**: Explain what the tool does
   * **Inputs**: Define input parameters
   * **Steps**: Configure the tool's execution steps
   * **Save**: Save as draft or publish

4. **Return to Agent**
   * After creating, the tool will be available in your project
   * Return to the agent builder and add it via the Tools selector

### Adding Workflows

1. **Open Tools Selector**
   * Click **+ Add Tool** in the Tools tab
   * Click **Create Workflow** in the modal

2. **Select Workflow Trigger**
   * Choose the trigger type:
     * **Form Input**: User fills out a form
     * **File Upload**: User uploads files
     * **Manual**: Execute on demand

3. **Configure Workflow**
   * Set up workflow steps
   * Define inputs and outputs
   * Configure trigger settings

4. **Add to Agent**
   * Once created, the workflow appears in your tools list
   * It can be executed by the agent when needed

## Managing Tools

### Viewing Added Tools

The **Tools** tab displays:

* **Sidebar**: Shows all tools added to the agent
  * Custom tools
  * Workflows
  * Actions from your project
* **Main Area**: Shows tool details and management options

### Tool Status

Tools can have different statuses:

* **Active**: Tool is ready to use
* **Draft**: Tool is being edited (not yet published)
* **Published**: Tool has been published and is available

### Configuring Tools

1. **Edit Tool Configuration**
   * Click **Configure** on an added tool
   * Adjust tool-specific settings
   * Set approval requirements (if needed)

2. **Tool Approval Settings**
   * **Auto-execute**: Tool runs automatically when triggered
   * **Require Approval**: Agent asks for confirmation before executing

3. **Input Defaults**
   * Set default values for tool inputs
   * Configure required vs. optional inputs

### Removing Tools

1. **Remove from Agent**
   * Click the **X** button on a tool in the sidebar
   * Or click **Remove** in the tool details
   * Confirm removal

2. **Delete Custom Tool**
   * For custom tools, you can delete them entirely
   * Click the three dots menu on a custom tool
   * Select **Delete**
   * **Note**: This permanently deletes the tool from your project

## Tool Types

### Custom Tools

Custom tools are tools you create with:

* **Custom Logic**: Your own business rules and processes
* **API Integrations**: Connect to your own APIs
* **Multi-Step Operations**: Combine multiple actions
* **Data Processing**: Transform and manipulate data

**Creating Custom Tools:**

1. Define inputs (parameters the tool accepts)
2. Configure steps (what the tool does)
3. Set up error handling
4. Test the tool
5. Publish when ready

### Workflows

Workflows are multi-step processes that can:

* **Execute Sequences**: Run multiple operations in order
* **Handle Triggers**: Respond to form inputs or file uploads
* **Process Data**: Transform data through multiple steps
* **Integrate Services**: Connect multiple services together

**Workflow Triggers:**

* **Form Input**: User provides input via a form
* **File Upload**: User uploads files for processing
* **Manual**: Execute on demand by the agent

### Public Tools

The public tool library includes:

* **9,000+ Tools**: Pre-built tools from the community
* **Various Categories**: Communication, productivity, data, etc.
* **Ready to Use**: Clone and customize for your needs
* **Regularly Updated**: New tools added frequently

**Using Public Tools:**

1. Browse the public library
2. Find a tool that matches your needs
3. Clone it to your project
4. Customize if needed
5. Add to your agent

## Best Practices

### Tool Organization

1. **Name Clearly**: Use descriptive names that explain the tool's purpose
2. **Document Well**: Add clear descriptions for each tool
3. **Group Related Tools**: Organize tools by function or category
4. **Version Control**: Use drafts for testing before publishing

### Tool Selection

1. **Start Simple**: Begin with basic tools and add complexity gradually
2. **Test Thoroughly**: Test tools before adding to production agents
3. **Consider Performance**: Too many tools can slow down agent responses
4. **Review Regularly**: Remove unused tools to keep agents efficient

### Tool Configuration

1. **Set Appropriate Defaults**: Configure sensible default values
2. **Use Approval When Needed**: Require approval for sensitive operations
3. **Handle Errors**: Ensure tools have proper error handling
4. **Document Inputs**: Clearly document what each input does

## Use Cases

### Customer Support Agent

**Tools Needed:**

* **Create Ticket Tool**: Custom tool to create support tickets
* **Search Knowledge Base**: Tool to search documentation
* **Escalate Issue**: Workflow to escalate to human agent

### Data Analysis Agent

**Tools Needed:**

* **Data Processing Tool**: Custom tool for data transformation
* **Report Generation**: Workflow to generate reports
* **Export Data**: Tool to export results

### Content Creation Agent

**Tools Needed:**

* **Content Generator**: Custom tool for content creation
* **Image Generation**: Tool to create images
* **Publishing Workflow**: Workflow to publish content

## Troubleshooting

### Tool Not Appearing

**Issue**: Tool doesn't show up in the selector

**Solutions:**

* Check if the tool is published (drafts may not appear)
* Verify you're in the correct project
* Refresh the tools list
* Check tool permissions

### Tool Not Executing

**Issue**: Agent doesn't use the tool

**Solutions:**

* Verify the tool is added to the agent
* Check tool configuration
* Review agent's system prompt (may need to mention the tool)
* Test the tool independently

### Tool Execution Errors

**Issue**: Tool fails when executed

**Solutions:**

* Check tool inputs are correct
* Verify tool configuration
* Review error messages in tool execution logs
* Test tool with sample inputs

### Approval Not Working

**Issue**: Tool executes without approval when it should require it

**Solutions:**

* Check approval settings in tool configuration
* Verify agent has permission to request approval
* Review tool's approval configuration

## Related Documentation

* [Workflows](/tools/workflows-v2) - Learn about creating workflows
* [Toolkits](/agents/toolkits/overview) - Understand pre-built integrations
* [Agent Builder](/agents/agents) - General agent configuration guide