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

# Tools

> Extend agent capabilities with external integrations

## What are Tools?

Tools enable agents to access external APIs, services, and data sources, going beyond conversation to retrieve real-time information, perform actions, and integrate with existing systems.

<img className="block dark:hidden rounded-lg border shadow-sm" src="https://mintcdn.com/radicalwhale/qALW0ixIERlyJs5o/images/screenshots/tools.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=qALW0ixIERlyJs5o&q=85&s=e39216acf9d29352f29ebc41bdb6a2d2" alt="Tools interface showing API configuration and external integrations" width="3024" height="1714" data-path="images/screenshots/tools.png" />

<img className="hidden dark:block rounded-lg border shadow-sm" src="https://mintcdn.com/radicalwhale/qALW0ixIERlyJs5o/images/screenshots/tools.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=qALW0ixIERlyJs5o&q=85&s=e39216acf9d29352f29ebc41bdb6a2d2" alt="Tools interface showing API configuration and external integrations" width="3024" height="1714" data-path="images/screenshots/tools.png" />

## Tool Types

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="REST API Tools" icon="globe" href="/guides/tools/rest-api">
    Configure HTTP requests to external APIs and web services
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP Servers" icon="server" href="/guides/tools/mcp-tools">
    Connect to Model Context Protocol servers for dynamic tool discovery
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## API Request Tools

Configure HTTP requests to any external API:

**Configuration**: HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.), request URL with variable substitution, headers (including auth), query parameters, request body (JSON), input schema (JSON Schema format).

**Input schema example**:

```json theme={null}
{
  "type": "object",
  "properties": {
    "search_query": {
      "type": "string",
      "description": "The search term"
    },
    "max_results": {
      "type": "integer",
      "default": 10
    }
  },
  "required": ["search_query"]
}
```

**Variable substitution**: Use schema variables in URLs (`https://api.example.com/search?q={{search_query}}`), headers (`Authorization: Bearer {{api_token}}`), and request bodies.

## Tool Testing

Built-in testing capabilities: Schema validation with sample data, API testing to verify connectivity, response preview before deployment, error debugging.

## Managing Tools

Tools dashboard for creating new tools, editing configurations, testing functionality, and organizing your tool library with search and filtering.

## Agent Integration

Assign tools to agents → Agents discover capabilities automatically → Agents choose when and how to use tools → Tool results seamlessly incorporated into responses.

## MCP Server Tools

Model Context Protocol support for dynamic tool discovery, server connections, standardized protocols, popular integrations (Tavily Search, GitHub, Slack, Google Drive).

Learn more about [MCP Server Tools](/guides/tools/mcp-tools).