Tool Calling
The capability that lets a language model invoke external functions — search a database, send an email, run a calculation, fetch a file — by emitting a .
Definition
The capability that lets a language model invoke external functions — search a database, send an email, run a calculation, fetch a file — by emitting a structured request that your code executes. Tool calling is how AI moves from talking about work to actually doing it.
Example
Instead of asking the model to 'estimate' a customer's order total, you give it a calculate_total tool. The model calls the tool with the line items, your code runs the math, and the model uses the exact result in its reply.
See it in context Learn how Tool Calling fits into the bigger picture of how software actually works.
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