Overview
Tools are things that your Agent Node(s) can use at any time to perform actions outside of CloseBot. Appointment booking, updating contact fields and custom tools are some examples.
Smart FAQ and Email are the only tools able to be used for nodes other than the Agent Node... otherwise, all tools are only accessible when using Agent Node.
Global Tools vs. Node-Specific Tools
It's helpful to be able to restrict AI's access to tools at different stages. In CloseBot, we do this with global and node-specific tools. This helps...
Improve AI's reliability in using tools appropriately
Reduce cost
Gate access to tools you don't want the AI to be able to accidentally use before you're ready (ex. unqualified leads should not be allowed to book appointments).
Global Tools → Tools can be enabled globally. This means they are always on within this job flow. Globally enabled tools are always available for any Agent Node to use.
Node-Specific Tools → Tools that are not enabled globally can be enabled within specific Agent Nodes. In this case, that tool can only be used while a conversation is being handled by that agent node.
As you go through a test conversation, you'll notice the global tools move to the active agent node. It's easy to see which tools an agent node has access to, because you'll see the tools attached to the node and highlighted as they are used.
Built In vs. Custom Tools
There are 2 types of built in tools, then custom tools (which you can create yourself on paid CloseBot plans).
Source-Specific Tools → If you're connected to HubSpot or HighLevel, we have ready-made tools created for you (ex. check availability, book appointment, update contact)
General Tools → We also have our own native tools that we provide to power your agent nodes (ex. check distance between locations, get property details, send property image)
Custom Tools → CloseBot allows you to build your own custom tools to tie in to 3rd party platforms. The only limiter here is your imagination. Learn more about creating custom tools HERE.
Tool Mentioning - @@
You can give details within an agent node on how you would like that agent node to perform its job, in addition to your instructions within the general job flow settings.
You may have specific information on how you would like the agent to use a tool. In this case you can mention any tool within the agent node prompting, explaining how and when you would like the agent to use the tool. You can mention any tool that's enabled (global + node-specific) for this agent node.
Mentioning a tool within the agent node prompting is not required, but can be useful in optimizing when and how tools are used.
These tools are powerful. For example, the Check Appointment Availability Tool has the ability to check for availability across all calendars it sees. You can instruct it to only check certain calendars within the instruction like this.
Summary
Tools give your agent node permissions to do things. With no tools enabled, your agent nodes simply chat. With tools enabled, your agents get superpowers 🦸. Limit tools wisely to conserve cost and protect against agents using tools they aren't supposed to use at certain points in conversation.