Tools: Extending Agent Capabilities
Tools are Python functions that agents can call during task execution. They allow agents to:- Access external systems and APIs
- Perform calculations or data processing
- Interact with files, databases, or other resources
- Execute custom business logic
Creating Effective Tools
The best tools are:- Focused: Each tool should do one thing well
- Well-documented: Clear docstrings help the agent understand when and how to use the tool
- Type-hinted: Type annotations help the agent understand what inputs and outputs to expect
Providing Tools
Tools can be provided at different levels:Context: Providing Additional Information
Context is additional information you provide to a task or agent to help it generate better responses. Unlike tools (which are functions the agent can call), context is static data that informs the agent’s understanding.- Background information
- User preferences or history
- Data to analyze or reference
- Previous conversation history
- System state or configuration
Using Context Effectively
For best results with context:- Be selective: Include only relevant information to avoid overwhelming the agent
- Structure appropriately: Organize complex context into clear sections
- Use descriptive keys: Name context variables clearly so the agent understands what each piece represents
Context in Prompts
You can reference context directly in your prompts using string formatting:Combining Tools and Context
Tools and context work together to create powerful AI workflows:- The context provides the data and business information
- The tool gives the agent the ability to perform statistical analysis
- Together, they enable the agent to make informed recommendations
Best Practices
- Security: Only provide tools that you’re comfortable with the agent using
- Error handling: Ensure tools handle errors gracefully and provide helpful error messages
- Complexity: Start with simple tools and context, then add complexity as needed
- Testing: Test your tools independently before providing them to agents
- Observability: Monitor tool usage to understand how agents are using them