> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.artific.nl/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.artific.nl/en/for-administrators/assistants/tools.md).

# Tools

The **Tools** tab of an assistant decides what it can *do*, as opposed to what it knows. Reached through **AI assistants → Assistants → ⋮ → Tools**.

## What a tool is

By default an assistant can only talk. A tool lets it act: look up an order in another system, search your knowledge base, run one of your AI Toolbox elements, or fetch something from an external service.

The assistant decides for itself when a tool is worth using, based on the description you give the tool. Good descriptions are what make tools work.

## The Tools screen

The tab shows every tool available to your organisation as a card. Each card has a switch: **Activate** turns the tool on for this assistant, **Deactivate** turns it off. Turning a tool on for one assistant does not affect any other.

Use the **Search a tool** box to filter a long list.

A tool that cannot be used shows **Unavailable** with a lock. The most common reason is the assistant's model: some models cannot use tools at all, and image search needs a model that can read images. The screen warns you at the top when this applies, with a **Select a different model** shortcut.

## Where tools come from

| Origin                | What it is                                                                              | Managed where                                                         |
| --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Platform tools        | Ready-made capabilities provided with the platform, such as web search and file export. | Provided for you; switch on or off.                                   |
| Knowledge base search | Created when you build a search tool over your collections.                             | [Search tools](/en/for-administrators/knowledge-base/search-tools.md) |
| AI Toolbox elements   | Any element in your Toolbox, exposed to the assistant as an action.                     | Created from this screen.                                             |
| Custom tools          | Calls to your own or a third party's API.                                               | Created from this screen.                                             |

Only the last two can be created here. Everything else is provided by the platform or by the knowledge base, and appears read-only.

{% hint style="info" %}
You can only edit and delete tools your own organisation created. Tools shared with you from elsewhere, and platform tools, are read-only. The card explains why when you hover over the disabled action.
{% endhint %}

## Creating an element tool

This exposes an AI Toolbox element to the assistant, so a user can get the same output by asking for it in conversation.

1. **Create → Element tools**.
2. Select one or more elements. A tool is created for each.
3. **Create tools**.

Afterwards, the only thing you can edit on an element tool is its **Progress message**, the line shown in the chat while it runs. Everything else comes from the element.

## Creating a custom tool

**Create → Custom tool** opens the API tool form. This is the technical one. See [API tools](/en/for-administrators/tools/api-tools.md) for a field-by-field walkthrough.

## Choosing which tools to switch on

* **Only what the assistant needs.** Every active tool is another option the model has to weigh on every message. A long list makes it slower and less predictable.
* **Watch for overlap.** Two tools that could both answer the same question produce inconsistent behaviour. Give each a distinct purpose and a distinct description.
* **Test after switching one on.** Use the **Preview** tab and ask a question that should trigger it, and one that should not.

## Related

* [API tools](/en/for-administrators/tools/api-tools.md): connecting your own API.
* [Connectors](/en/for-administrators/assistants/connectors.md): actions on external servers.
* [Search tools](/en/for-administrators/knowledge-base/search-tools.md): making your documents searchable.