Tools & output contracts · Concept

Tool use

Using external operations, services, or interfaces as part of completing a task.

Example

A workflow may use a database tool through deterministic code even when no model proposes the call.

The distinction that matters

Broader than tool calling: a system can use tools through APIs or deterministic code without a model proposing each call.

Related terms

Tool calling · Tool selection · Tool grounding

Primary references

Reference definition