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What are Tools?

Tools, also known as , are custom capabilities that you can add to your AI agents. They allow your agents to perform specific actions or retrieve information from external sources, greatly enhancing their functionality and usefulness.

TIXAE Agents sends parameters as a JSON array to your specified endpoint, enabling seamless integration with a wide range of automation platforms and servers. This flexibility allows you to create powerful, custom interactions between your AI agents and external systems.

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Default Tools

Your agents utilize the capabilities of tools right out of the box. These provide essential functionalities that form the backbone of your agents:

KB-Search

The knowledgebase uses a tool to query and retrieve information by default. This significanlty enhances the output compared to other methods of retrieval. Read more.

Live-handoff

The live-handoff is a default tool that triggers whenever a user requests a live-handoff in the chat or via the handoff popup. Read more.

Please be careful when adjusting these tools as it can break core functionalities if altered incorrectly. Do so at your own risk.

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Custom tools

Whether you need fully customized tools or prefer ready-made solutions, TIXAE AI has you covered:

Implement across a wide range of platforms, including popular automation services like Make.com or Zapier. You can design tools for diverse functions such as data retrieval, external API interactions, or complex multi-step processes.

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Tools Setup Guide

1

Access the Tools Tab

Navigate to Tools either via the tab from the main menu or through an agents designer. Click on the + New Tool button at the top of the page to start creating a new tool.

Agent specific tools tab:

2

Choose Tool Type and Name

You have three options:

Naming your tool

Choose a clear, descriptive name for your tool. This name will be used to reference it in the agent’s system prompt.

3

Configure Tool Settings

Before your tool can talk with an external service. You need to set up the necessary information:

4

Define Parameters

Specify the parameters your tool needs to function:

Input options for parameters

Each parameter has a set of values that needs to be filled in correctly for the tool to work:

Parameter Key

The name of the parameter (e.g., “to”, “subject”, “html”). Make this short and descriptive, this makes it easier for the LLM to interpret.

Default Value

An optional preset value for the parameter. Neat if you want a fixed parameter for every tool use. You can also set the parameter as required. The LLM will take this into consideration when collecting data from the user.

Type

Make sure to define the type of data your parameter will contain and where it will be placed in the request:

Want to learn more about APIs? Check out this article from Postman.

Description

Just like the tools description, this explains the parameter and specifies the data it should include and when to use it. Write clear and detailed descriptions for optimal LLM interpretation.

Example description of 'subject' param:
  The subject of the email.
5

Save

After configuring your tool, make sure to save.

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Testing Your Tools

Testing your tools in a controlled environment before going live is crucial. It’s essential to understand how the webhook processes data and how the models behave when using a tool. This ensures that every user or client can send and receive requests seamlessly.

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Webhook Testing

You can test the tool’s webhook with random pre-filled data in the parameters or fill in the parameters yourself. This is particularly useful when setting up automations and verifying functionality before implementing to the agents LLM.

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Using Preview LLM

TIXAE Agents offers a powerful “Preview LLM” feature for thorough tool testing before deployment.

1

Access Preview LLM

Navigate to your agent’s dedicated tools page, select the tool you want to test and click Preview LLM.

2

Configure Test Parameters

Adjust Chunks

Set the maximum retrievable chunks to control information access.

Select Model

Choose from compatible AI models (look for the tools checkmark).

3

Run Test Prompts

Input specific prompts to test your tool’s functionality. Different models may require tailored prompts depending on your system prompt. Here are some examples of how to test your tool in one interaction:

Send an email to [email] and name [name] by using SendEmail tool, send it right away and be creative.
4

Review Debug Information

Analyze the debug output to see how the LLM interacts with your tool and the final results.

Remember to assign the tool to your agent before testing. Unassigned tools won’t be available in the preview or from the widget. Do it from the tools menu or assign it directly from your agents tool tab.

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Tools and System Prompt

When your tool is tested and ready to implement, your agent wont know when or exactly how to use it. This is where the system prompt comes into play where you instruct the agent on how it should use, which information it should collect and when it should use the tool.

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Example Prompt for Tools

Here are some examples of how you can instruct your agent to use tools in various scenarios:

You have access to a tool called 'addLeadToCRM'. When a user expresses interest in our products or services, use this tool to add their information to our CRM system. The tool requires the following parameters:
- name: The full name of the lead
- email: The lead's email address
- interest: A brief description of what they're interested in

Always confirm with the user before adding their information to the CRM.

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Conclusion

Tools are a powerful feature in TIXAE Agents that can significantly enhance your AI agents’ capabilities. By following this guide and best practices, you can create and integrate tools that allow your agents to perform a wide range of actions, making them more versatile and valuable to your users.

And Remember: The key to successful tool implementation is clear communication between your system prompt, the AI agent, and the tool itself. Well-defined parameters and clear instructions will lead to smooth and effective tool usage.

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