---
title: "Tools"
---

Dograh AI lets you attach multiple tools (e.g. API calls) directly to workflow nodes. This allows your voice agents to call any internal or external system during a live conversation-based on LLM judgment and your prompts.

This works similar to a tool call on any agentic platforms and is 100% open source and fully customizable.

## Video Tutorial

<iframe 
  width="560" 
  height="315" 
  src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/er-YTX5Eocs?si=5tw9rWfaWp2DOSIv" 
  title="YouTube video player" 
  frameBorder="0" 
  allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" 
  referrerPolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" 
  allowFullScreen
></iframe>

## What Are Tools?

A tool is a REST API definition that the LLM can invoke at runtime.

**Typical use cases:**
- Call your own backend endpoints
- Trigger n8n automations
- Sync data with a CRM
- Fetch data from external APIs (weather, pricing, availability, etc.)
- Write/update/read data using Rest API

**The LLM decides:**
- which tool to call
- when to call it
- what parameters to send

**All based on:**
- Your prompts: node-level instructions in simple english (or any language)
- Tool name
- Tool description
- Parameter definitions

<br/>
<div style={{ borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e5e5', margin: '20px 0' }}></div>

## Defining Tools

### 1. Tool Name

- Must be clear and action-oriented.

- **Examples:** `capture_lead_interest`, `fetch_weather`, 'create_crm_contact', etc

### 2. Tool Description


- Extremely important
- This is how the LLM decides **when** to use the tool. 
- Write it in plain, explicit English.

**Bad:**
"API to capture data"

**Good:**
"This tool is to capture interest. Use this tool when the user clearly expresses interest in the product or wants to be contacted"

![Tool Description Example](/images/tool%20description.png)

### 3. Endpoint Configuration

- Full URL (**must include `http://` or `https://`**)
- Supports **REST** methods

<Note>Common mistake: forgetting https:// in the URL.</Note>

<br/>
<div style={{ borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e5e5', margin: '20px 0' }}></div>

### 4. Authentication & Headers

- Add custom authentication
- Add custom headers
- Works with internal services and third-party APIs

<br/>
<div style={{ borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e5e5', margin: '20px 0' }}></div>

### 5. Parameters

Each parameter must have:
- Name
- Type
- Description
- Required/Optional flag

**Parameter descriptions matter more than types.**

Guidelines:
- Start with string parameters when possible
- Be explicit in what the value represents
- Mark only truly mandatory fields as required

Example:
- interest (string):
  “Set to true if the user clearly shows intent to buy or wants follow-up. Otherwise false.”

![Parameter Example](/images/tool%20params.png)

<br/>
<div style={{ borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e5e5', margin: '20px 0' }}></div>

## Attaching Tools to Workflow Nodes

- You can attach **multiple tools to a single node**
- All the tools that you have created will be available for selection in the node
- Tools are only callable when attached to that node
- The LLM will choose which one to call

Inside the node, guide the LLM using **simple English instructions**.

Example:

“If the user shows interest in speaking to sales or wants a callback, immediately call the capture_lead_interest tool and set interest to true.”
This instruction is often the deciding factor for correct tool usage.

This instruction is often the **deciding factor** for correct tool usage.

![Parameter Example](/images/tool%20attachment.png)
<br/>
<div style={{ borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e5e5', margin: '20px 0' }}></div>

## Tool Invocation Logic (How the LLM Thinks)

The LLM considers:
- User's spoken intent
- Node prompt instructions
- Tool name and description
- Parameter descriptions

If these align clearly, the tool is called automatically.

Poor naming or vague descriptions lead to:
- Missed tool calls
- Wrong parameters
- Hallucinated values

<br/>
<div style={{ borderBottom: '2px solid #e5e5e5', margin: '20px 0' }}></div>

## Key Best Practices
- Name tools clearly
- Write detailed, action-based descriptions
- Keep parameters simple at first
- Always include http/https in URLs
- Use plain English in node instructions
- Attach only relevant tools to each node

**Well-defined tools + clear prompts = reliable, production-grade voice agents.**