> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rovax.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tools: Overview

## Understanding Tools and When to Use Them

In Timely.ai, **Tools** are what extend an Agent’s capabilities beyond its core **Role + Prompt**.

By default, an Agent can only respond using the instructions defined in its Prompt. <br />
Whenever you want an Agent to **interact with data, trigger actions, integrate with systems, or escalate to humans**, you must create and configure the appropriate Tools.

***

## How the Agent Uses Tools

Agents decide to use a Tool based on the **Tool description**.

* If the Agent determines a Tool is needed but required inputs are missing, it will **ask the user for the missing information first**
* Once all required properties are available, the Agent executes the Tool
* If all logic and information fit inside the Prompt, **no Tool is required**

<Tip>
  Best practice: Tools should only be created when they are truly necessary. Fewer Tools lead to more predictable behavior.
</Tip>

***

## Types of Tools in Timely.ai

Below are the Tools currently available in the platform and when to use each one.

***

### 📡 HTTP Request

Allows the Agent to perform API calls to external services.

**Supported methods:** <br />
GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, PATCH

**Use when:**

* Integrating with third-party systems
* Fetching or sending data to external APIs

***

### ⚙️ Code Execution

Allows the Agent to execute custom code snippets.

**Use when:**

* Performing calculations
* Transforming data
* Applying custom logic not covered by other Tools

***

### 🌐 Agentic Web Search

Allows the Agent to search the web for up-to-date information.

**Use when:**

* Information is not available in Knowledge Bases
* Real-time or external context is required

***

### 🎫 Ticket Creation

Creates a ticket and transfers the conversation to a human in the Timely.ai CRM.

**Important:**

* Requires a **CRM Team** to exist
* This is the **only native way** to escalate a conversation to humans

***

### 📚 Knowledge Base Search

Allows the Agent to search within a Knowledge Base created in Timely.ai.

**Use when:**

* Information is too large or dynamic for the Prompt
* You need structured, searchable documentation or FAQs

***

### ⏰ Follow Up

Allows the Agent to send **follow-up messages after conversation inactivity**.

**Use when:**

* Re-engaging users
* Reminding users to complete an action
* Continuing conversations automatically

***

### 📄 PDF Reader

Allows the Agent to read and extract information from PDF files.

Allows the Agent to read and reason over the **entire content of a PDF as a single contextual document**, without chunking or semantic fragmentation.

***

### 📊 Table Tools

Tables are native databases inside Timely.ai. <br />
Each type of interaction requires its own Tool.

Available Table Tools:

* **Table Row Insertion** — insert new records
* **Table Row Update**— update existing records
* **Table Row Semantic** Search — search by meaning using natural language
* **Table Row Similarity Search** — search by vector similarity (closest matches)

**Use when:**

* Managing leads, customers, tickets, or structured data
* Persisting information across conversations

<Warning>
  Tables must be created before configuring their Tools.
</Warning>

***

### 🔄 Workflow Execution

Executes a pre-built Workflow.

**Use when:**

* Orchestrating multi-step processes
* Automating business logic (e.g., payments, onboarding, approvals)

***

### 🧠 Contextual Memory

Allows the Agent to store and retrieve information across conversations.

**Examples:**

* Name
* Company
* Budget
* Preferences

Memory works like **dynamic variables**, and the Agent relies on the Tool description to understand what should be extracted and stored.

***

## Best Practices

* **Keep it simple** — If information fits in the Prompt, don’t create a Tool
* **Respect dependencies** — Create the resource first (Table, Workflow, CRM Team)
* **Write clear descriptions** — Always explain Tools in natural language
* **Test internally** — Use the Internal Chat to validate Tool behavior before publishing

***

## Key Takeaway

Tools are what make Agents **active** inside Timely.ai.

They connect your Agent to:

* Knowledge Bases
* Tables
* Workflows
* External APIs
* Humans

But remember: <br />
**More Tools = more complexity**. <br />
Start simple and only add what your Agent truly needs.