Tools, variables and monitoring
The Tools panel is where an agent gets the ability to do things: attach integrations, set custom values it can use mid-call, and connect tracing for debugging.
5 min readUpdated 26 August 2026
Instructions decide what an agent says. Tools decide what it can do. The panel has three parts and they solve different problems.
Integrations and Added Tools
The first part is headed Integrations and described as connecting the tools and apps your agent can use during a call. Under it, Added Tools lists what this agent currently has, each with an X on the right to remove it.
The distinction that catches people out lives here. Creating a tool on the Integrations page makes it exist in your workspace. This list is what one specific agent is allowed to use during a call. An empty Added Tools list means this agent can do nothing, however much is set up elsewhere.
Careful
If an integration works on one agent and not another, compare their Added Tools lists before looking at anything else.
Adding a tool to this agent
When there is nothing to choose from, the panel says so directly: no integrations available, add new integrations to get started. Underneath it is an Add New Integrations button.
That button does not open a dialog here. It takes you to the Integrations page, which is where tools are created for the whole workspace. Build the tool there, come back to the agent, and it becomes something you can add to this list.
- Open the agent and expand Tools under More to configure.
- Click Add New Integrations, which opens the Integrations page.
- Create the tool there with Add integration.
- Return to the agent and add that tool to its Added Tools list.
Tip
There is a full walkthrough of the tool dialog and every field each type asks for in the article on connecting an integration.
Variables
Described on the page as custom values the agent can use during a call, like a name or a reference number. You add a variable name and a value.
This is for the values that differ between agents but not between calls. A branch name, a booking reference prefix, an account manager to mention. Putting them here rather than hard-coding them into the instructions means one agent can be duplicated for another location and only the variables change.
Monitoring (advanced)
The last part is optional and marked advanced. The page describes it as connecting Langfuse to record detailed traces of this agent's calls for debugging.
Most people never need this. It earns its place when an agent misbehaves in a way transcripts do not explain, because a trace shows the decisions behind the words rather than only the words.
Common questions
- I added an integration but the agent will not use it. Why?
- Check the Added Tools list on that agent. Connecting an account makes a tool available; adding it here is what gives this agent access.
- What is the difference between a variable and something in the instructions?
- A variable is a value you can change without editing the prompt, which makes duplicating an agent for another location or team much cleaner.
- Do I need Langfuse?
- No. It is optional and aimed at debugging behaviour that transcripts do not explain.
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