Table of Contents

Using Other Tools

Learn about additional tools and capabilities that may be available to agents beyond Code Interpreter and Knowledge tools.

Understanding Agent Tools

Agents in FoundationaLLM can be equipped with various tools that extend their capabilities. While Code Interpreter and Knowledge tools are common, agents may have access to:

  • Image generation tools
  • Custom organizational tools
  • External API integrations
  • Specialized processing capabilities

How Tools Work

Automatic Tool Selection

You don't need to manually select which tool to use:

  1. Describe what you need in natural language
  2. The agent determines which tool is appropriate
  3. The tool executes and returns results
  4. Results appear in the conversation

Tool Transparency

Some agents show information about tool usage:

  • Tool names may appear in responses
  • Processing indicators show when tools are working
  • Results clearly indicate they came from a tool

Image Generation

Some agents can create images using tools like DALL-E.

When to Use

  • Creating illustrations or graphics
  • Visualizing concepts
  • Generating placeholder images
  • Creating custom visuals

How to Request Images

Be descriptive in your request:

  • "Create an image of a modern office building at sunset"
  • "Generate a diagram showing the project workflow"
  • "Design a logo concept with blue and green colors"

Image Results

Generated images:

  • Appear directly in the conversation
  • Can be clicked for full-size preview
  • Can be downloaded by right-clicking

Tips for Better Images

  • Be specific about style, colors, and composition
  • Mention the intended use (icon, background, illustration)
  • Request revisions by describing what to change
  • Note: photorealistic images may have limitations

Custom Organizational Tools

Your organization may have deployed custom tools for specific purposes.

Examples of Custom Tools

Tool Type Purpose
Database queries Access internal data systems
API integrations Connect to external services
Document processing Handle specific document formats
Workflow automation Trigger organizational processes
Specialized calculations Industry-specific computations

Discovering Custom Tools

To learn what custom tools an agent has:

  • Ask the agent: "What tools do you have access to?"
  • Check the agent description in Settings > Agents
  • Contact your administrator for documentation

Using Custom Tools

Custom tools work like any other tool:

  1. Describe what you need
  2. The agent uses the appropriate tool
  3. Results appear in the response

External API Integrations

Some agents can connect to external services:

  • Weather services
  • Stock market data
  • News aggregators
  • Social media platforms
  • Business applications

Important Considerations

  • API calls may have rate limits
  • Real-time data depends on API availability
  • Results are as current as the API provides
  • Some integrations may require authentication

Specialized Processing

Agents may have specialized capabilities:

Language Processing

  • Translation between languages
  • Sentiment analysis
  • Text summarization
  • Named entity recognition

Document Processing

  • PDF extraction
  • Form parsing
  • Table recognition
  • Metadata extraction

Audio/Visual Processing

  • Image analysis and description
  • Audio transcription
  • Visual element detection

Tips for Using Tools Effectively

Be Specific About What You Need

Good: "Generate a pie chart showing Q3 sales by region" Not as good: "Make a chart"

Ask About Capabilities

If you're unsure what an agent can do:

  • "What tools or capabilities do you have?"
  • "Can you access [specific system/data]?"
  • "What types of files can you process?"

Provide Context

  • Explain why you need something
  • Share relevant background
  • Specify the output format you want

Iterate and Refine

  • Start with a basic request
  • Ask for modifications based on results
  • Build on successful outputs

Understanding Tool Limitations

What Tools Cannot Do

  • Access systems they're not connected to
  • Bypass security controls
  • Perform actions outside their scope
  • Return real-time data without real-time connections

Response Time

Tool execution may take time depending on:

  • The complexity of the operation
  • External service response times
  • Data processing requirements

A loading indicator shows when tools are working.

Troubleshooting

Tool Doesn't Seem to Work

  • The agent may not have that tool available
  • Try rephrasing your request
  • Ask what capabilities the agent has
  • Try a different agent

Unexpected Results

  • Be more specific in your request
  • Ask the agent to explain what it did
  • Try breaking the task into smaller steps
  • Verify your input data

Tool Response is Slow

  • Complex operations take longer
  • External APIs may have delays
  • Large data processing requires time
  • Wait for the response to complete

Tool Returns an Error

  • Check if your request is within the tool's capabilities
  • Verify any input data is correct
  • Try a simpler version of the request
  • Ask the agent what went wrong

Security and Access

Tools operate within security boundaries:

  • Access is controlled by administrators
  • User permissions affect what tools can do
  • Sensitive operations may require additional authentication
  • Actions are logged for security auditing

Learning More

Documentation

  • Check organizational documentation for custom tools
  • Review agent descriptions for capability details
  • Ask your administrator about available integrations

Experimentation

  • Try different types of requests
  • Ask agents about their capabilities
  • Test tools with sample data first