Tool use

Also called: tools, tool calling, tool call, function calling, function call, tool

A way for a model to ask the software around it to run a defined action, such as a search or a database lookup, and send back the result. It is also called function calling. The model decides when to ask, and the software does the running.

For example: A user asks an assistant, 'What did order 1042 cost?' The model requests the order-lookup tool, the app runs it, and the model writes the answer from the result.

Connects to 16

AI agent Concept
MCP Concept
API Concept
Model Concept
Harness Concept
Turn Concept
Agent environment Concept
Filesystem Concept
Permission request Concept
Tool result Concept
Subagent Concept
OpenAPI Concept
Agent loop Concept
Claude Cowork Tool
FunctionGemma Tool
OpenClaw Tool