Tool Design for AI Agents
Guidelines for building and naming tools agents can reliably use in automation flows.
Overview
Tools are nodes connected to the AI Agent that perform specific actions or return data. They must be well-defined so the agent can use them reliably.
Naming
Agents refer to tools by their node names. Use clear, descriptive names that directly reflect the purpose of the tool.
✅ Good:
create_event_tool
send_email_draft
retrieve_calendar_tool
❌ Poor:
Node 3
tempTool
doStuff
🧠 Tool names are a key part of the agent's reasoning. If the name doesn’t convey the purpose, the agent may ignore or misuse the tool.
Behavior Guidelines
- Tools should be deterministic and return consistent results
- If the tool performs irreversible actions (e.g. sending an email, booking a meeting), ensure that the agent logic confirms intent before calling it
- Tools should return helpful errors when required input is missing or invalid — in a format the agent can interpret
Tool Descriptions
Each tool should include a short description that explains its function. This is used by the agent to decide when (and if) to use it.
✅ Good:
create_event_tool: "Creates a new calendar event using title, time, and participant list."
❌ Poor:
"Does stuff with the calendar"
📌 Keep descriptions short, specific, and action-oriented. The agent reads these descriptions as part of its decision-making.
Testing
Always test each tool in isolation before connecting it to an agent. Validate that the tool:
- Executes reliably with real input
- Returns usable results
- Fails gracefully when needed
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