> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.maiagent.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.maiagent.ai/maiagent-user-guide/maiagent-user-guide-en/agent-builder/tools.md).

# Tools

## What is this? <a href="#what-is-this" id="what-is-this"></a>

Tools enable Agents to "take action" — calling external services to perform actions or retrieve real-time information.

An Agent without tools can only answer questions using its existing knowledge. With tools, it can check live weather, create a customer record in a CRM, send emails, or fetch the latest data from third-party APIs.

## How are tools different from skills? <a href="#tool-vs-skill" id="tool-vs-skill"></a>

|                                | Tools                                               | Skills                                                          |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Nature**                     | A callable external service                         | A multi-step reasoning workflow                                 |
| **Granularity**                | Single action (e.g., "check weather", "send email") | Multi-step SOP (e.g., "complete quotation process")             |
| **Who decides when to use it** | The Agent determines when to call it                | The Agent triggers the workflow within a skill based on context |
| **Does it use tools**          | A tool is the smallest unit itself                  | A skill can chain multiple tools together                       |

**Quick rule of thumb**: If it's a single capability (query data, perform an action), make it a tool. If it's an entire workflow (first query A, then decide whether to do B), make it a skill.

## Tool Types <a href="#tool-types" id="tool-types"></a>

### API Tool <a href="#api-tool" id="api-tool"></a>

Directly calls a REST API. You configure the URL, HTTP method, and parameters, and the Agent can use it during conversations.

**Best for**: Internal company APIs, third-party service APIs, simple HTTP requests

### MCP Tool <a href="#mcp-tool" id="mcp-tool"></a>

Connects to external services through MCP (Model Context Protocol). MCP is a standardized protocol that allows Agents to integrate with various services more easily.

**Best for**: Services that already have an MCP Server, external integrations requiring more complex interactions

### Built-in Tool <a href="#built-in-tool" id="built-in-tool"></a>

Tools provided by MaiAgent by default, such as AI image generation. No additional configuration required.

> **Advanced note**: Tools are powered by Function Calling technology under the hood. The Agent determines whether to call a tool based on the conversation context, automatically assembles parameters, sends the request, interprets the returned results, and replies to the user in natural language.

## What do I need to do? <a href="#what-do-i-need-to-do" id="what-do-i-need-to-do"></a>

1. **Create a tool** — Choose the type (API / MCP) and configure the connection details
2. **Define parameters** — Describe the tool's purpose and parameters so the Agent knows when to use it
3. **Test** — Verify the tool can be called and returns results correctly
4. **Attach to an Agent** — Configure this tool in the Agent settings

## Further Reading <a href="#further-reading" id="further-reading"></a>

* [Tool Feature Overview](https://github.com/Playma-Co-Ltd/maiagent-user-guide-gitbook/tree/main/en/tools/tool_description.md)
* [Create an MCP Tool](https://github.com/Playma-Co-Ltd/maiagent-user-guide-gitbook/tree/main/en/tools/setup.md)
* [Create an API Tool](https://github.com/Playma-Co-Ltd/maiagent-user-guide-gitbook/tree/main/en/tools/setup_api_tool.md)
* [Built-in AI Image Generation Tool](https://github.com/Playma-Co-Ltd/maiagent-user-guide-gitbook/tree/main/en/tools/ai-image-generation-guide.md)
* [Configure Tools for AI Assistants](https://github.com/Playma-Co-Ltd/maiagent-user-guide-gitbook/tree/main/en/tools/configure_tools.md)


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# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.maiagent.ai/maiagent-user-guide/maiagent-user-guide-en/agent-builder/tools.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
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Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.