Tools Integration
Enhance your knowledge agents with powerful tools to extend their capabilities beyond information retrieval
Tools transform your knowledge agents from passive information providers into active problem solvers. By integrating specialized capabilities, your agents can perform tasks, retrieve real-time data, make calculations, and connect to enterprise systems—all while maintaining the conversational experience users expect.
What Are Tools?
In Prisme.ai, tools are specialized functions that extend an agent’s capabilities beyond retrieving and presenting information from your knowledge base. They allow agents to:
Perform Actions
Execute tasks based on user requests
Access Live Data
Retrieve real-time information from external systems
Process Information
Perform calculations, transformations, and analysis
Integrate with Systems
Connect with enterprise applications and services
Tool Types
Prisme.ai supports several types of tools, each with specific purposes and capabilities:
Built-in tools provided by Prisme.ai, ready to use with minimal configuration.
Built-in tools provided by Prisme.ai, ready to use with minimal configuration.
Tools created using code that runs directly in Prisme.ai’s secure environment.
Tools that integrate with external APIs and web services.
Tools that trigger external processes and receive their results.
Tools that connect directly to databases for query and retrieval.
Common Tools
Prisme.ai includes a growing library of native tools that you can add to your agents with minimal configuration:
Web Search
Web Search
Enable your agent to search the web for current information beyond your knowledge base.
Capabilities: Real-time web search with configurable sources
Use Cases: Current events, market data, general knowledge
Configuration Options: Search providers (Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo), result filtering, result count, safe search settings, domain restrictions
Example Implementation:
Code Interpreter
Code Interpreter
Perform mathematical calculations including arithmetic, algebra, statistics, and unit conversions.
Capabilities: Complex math operations with memory and variables
Use Cases: Financial calculations, engineering formulas, data analysis
Image Generator
Image Generator
Create custom images from text descriptions using AI generation capabilities.
Capabilities: Generate images from text prompts with style controls
Use Cases: Visual content creation, concept visualization, design assistance
Document Search
Document Search
Search through document collections using keywords and filters.
Capabilities: Text search across document repositories
Use Cases: Knowledge retrieval, research assistance, content discovery
Example Implementation:
Query Reformulation
Query Reformulation
Generate alternative phrasings of user questions to improve search results.
Capabilities: Create semantic variations of input questions
Use Cases: Search enhancement, query expansion, intent clarification
Example Implementation:
Creating Custom Tools
You can create custom tools to address specific needs in your organization:
Define Tool Requirements
Determine what the tool should do and how it should interact with users and systems.
Consider:
- What problem does this tool solve?
- What inputs will it need?
- What outputs should it provide?
- Which systems will it interact with?
- What security considerations are important?
Select Tool Type
Choose the most appropriate tool type based on your requirements.
Tool selection guidance:
- Use native tools for common functions
- Choose custom code for specialized logic
- Select API connectors for external service integration
- Use webhooks for complex process orchestration
- Implement database tools for structured data queries
Configure or Develop the Tool
Set up the tool’s parameters or develop its code.
For custom development:
- Create clear input/output schemas
- Implement robust error handling
- Ensure appropriate security measures
- Test with various input scenarios
- Document the tool’s functionality
Test the Tool
Verify that the tool works as expected in different scenarios.
Testing should include:
- Basic functionality verification
- Edge case handling
- Performance assessment
- Security testing
- Integration testing with agent
Add to Your Agent
Integrate the tool with your knowledge agents.
During integration:
- Provide clear tool descriptions
- Configure when the tool should be used
- Set appropriate permissions
- Define error handling behavior
- Test the agent with the new tool
Tool Usage Strategies
Effective tool integration requires thoughtful configuration of when and how tools are used:
Tool Selection Logic
Tool Selection Logic
Configure how the agent decides which tool to use in different situations.
User Confirmation
User Confirmation
Determine when the agent should ask for permission before using tools.
Tool Result Presentation
Tool Result Presentation
Configure how tool results are presented to users.
Fallback Handling
Fallback Handling
Define behavior when tools fail or produce unexpected results.
Integration Examples
Agent Purpose: Answer product questions and resolve customer issues
Integrated Tools:
- Ticket Creator: Create support tickets for complex issues
- Order Lookup: Check order status and details
- Product Catalog: Access current product information
- Document Analyzer: Process customer documents and screenshots
- Email Composer: Send confirmation and follow-up emails
Benefits:
- Streamlined issue resolution
- Reduced handoffs between systems
- Consistent information across channels
Agent Purpose: Answer product questions and resolve customer issues
Integrated Tools:
- Ticket Creator: Create support tickets for complex issues
- Order Lookup: Check order status and details
- Product Catalog: Access current product information
- Document Analyzer: Process customer documents and screenshots
- Email Composer: Send confirmation and follow-up emails
Benefits:
- Streamlined issue resolution
- Reduced handoffs between systems
- Consistent information across channels
Agent Purpose: Provide financial guidance and investment information
Integrated Tools:
- Calculator: Perform financial calculations and projections
- Market Data: Access current market information
- Portfolio Analyzer: Review investment performance
- Document Generator: Create investment proposals and reports
- Meeting Scheduler: Book consultations with human advisors
Benefits:
- Data-driven recommendations
- Comprehensive financial analysis
- Seamless transition to human advisors
Agent Purpose: Support employees with HR policies and processes
Integrated Tools:
- Form Generator: Create and fill HR forms
- Time-Off Calculator: Check and calculate leave balances
- Benefits Lookup: Access personalized benefits information
- Document Analyzer: Process employee documentation
- Ticket Creator: Generate tickets for HR case management
Benefits:
- Self-service for common HR needs
- Personalized policy guidance
- Streamlined HR processes
Agent Purpose: Support research activities and information synthesis
Integrated Tools:
- Web Search: Find current information across sources
- Document Analyzer: Extract data from research papers
- Data Visualizer: Create charts and visualizations
- Citation Generator: Format and manage references
- File Generator: Compile research summaries
Benefits:
- Comprehensive information gathering
- Data-driven insights
- Efficient research documentation
Security and Governance
Ensuring secure and responsible tool usage is critical:
Authentication & Authorization
Configure secure access to tools and their underlying systems.
Key Controls
:
Tool-specific permissions
API key management
Credential rotation
User-based access control
Data Privacy
Ensure tools handle sensitive information appropriately.
Key Controls
:
Data minimization
Information redaction
Temporary storage policies
Privacy-preserving integration
Logging & Auditing
Maintain records of tool usage for compliance and security.
Key Controls
:
Comprehensive activity logs
Tool usage analytics
Audit trails
Anomaly detection
Rate Limiting & Quotas
Prevent abuse and manage resource consumption.
Key Controls
:
Usage quotas
Rate limiting
Cost controls
Resource allocation
Best Practices
Tool Selection
Tool Selection
- Start with native tools when possible for easier maintenance
- Choose tools that solve specific user problems
- Consider the full lifecycle of the tool, including updates and maintenance
- Select the simplest tool type that meets your requirements
- Prioritize tools that integrate with existing systems
Tool Configuration
Tool Configuration
- Provide clear, specific descriptions of what each tool does
- Set appropriate input validation to prevent errors
- Configure sensible defaults for optional parameters
- Include example inputs to guide users
- Test tool configuration with various scenarios
User Experience
User Experience
- Make tool usage transparent to users
- Provide clear feedback when tools are being used
- Format tool results for readability and understanding
- Balance automation with user control
- Implement graceful error handling with helpful messages
Tool Management
Tool Management
- Regularly review tool usage and performance
- Monitor for errors and unexpected behavior
- Update tool configurations as underlying systems change
- Document tool purpose, configuration, and integration
- Establish a testing protocol for tool updates