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

# Tools

> Extend your agent capabilities with external API integrations and MCP servers

Tools allow your voice agents to interact with external systems, fetch data, and perform actions beyond conversation. By connecting your agents to APIs and services, you can create powerful workflows that integrate with your existing business systems—from looking up customer data in your CRM to checking appointment availability and processing orders.

## Getting Started

Choose your implementation path based on how you want to work with tools:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Configure in Dashboard" href="/agents/tools/introduction" icon="browser">
    Create and manage tools using the web interface. Perfect for configuring tools visually, testing API integrations, and setting up reusable templates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integrate via API" href="/developers/guides/tools-api" icon="code">
    Build tools programmatically using the Hamsa API. Ideal for automated deployments, infrastructure as code, and dynamic tool generation.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What are Tools?

<Info>
  **Two Tool Types Available:**

  * **API Request**: Make HTTP requests to external APIs
  * **MCP Server**: Connect to Model Context Protocol servers for standardized AI integrations
</Info>

**Tool Templates vs Instances**

* **Template**: Reusable tool definition stored in your tool library
* **Instance**: Reference to a template with optional agent-specific overrides
* Use the same tool across multiple agents with different configurations

**Tool Versioning**

* Tools use semantic versioning to manage updates
* Version changes when breaking modifications occur
* Sync agents to latest versions or pin to specific versions

**Web Tools**

* Special execution mode for browser-based deployments
* Render as interactive forms in web chat interfaces
* Execute client-side when using the Hamsa SDK

## Common Use Cases

**Customer Data Integration**

* Look up customer information from your CRM
* Retrieve account status and history
* Verify customer identity

**Business Operations**

* Check appointment availability
* Process orders and payments
* Update database records
* Submit form data

**External Services**

* Check weather conditions
* Retrieve shipping status
* Validate addresses
* Send notifications

## Learn More

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tool Nodes" href="/agents/flow-agent/nodes/tool-node">
    Use tools in Flow Agent workflows
  </Card>

  <Card title="Web Tool Nodes" href="/agents/flow-agent/nodes/web-tool-node">
    Create browser-based tool interactions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Single Prompt Tools" href="/agents/single-prompt/configure-settings">
    Configure tools for Single Prompt Agents
  </Card>

  <Card title="API Reference" href="/api-reference/introduction">
    Complete Tools API documentation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>