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

# Tools

> Give a worker controlled access to external systems and provider toolkits.

Tools let a worker interact with external systems. They are usually grouped into toolkits, such as a provider or service-specific collection of actions.

Tools are powerful because they let a worker move beyond answering questions and actually do work in connected systems.

## What tools can enable

Depending on the connected application, tools can let a worker:

* Read records or messages
* Search external systems
* Draft updates
* Send messages
* Create or edit records
* Upload or download files
* Trigger provider-specific actions

## Toolkits

A toolkit is a group of related tools. For example, a toolkit might contain several actions for one provider or one business system.

In the skill tree, toolkits show which groups of tools the worker can use.

## Required applications

When a worker needs external tools, the required application appears in the sidebar's **Applications** section. Connect the application before expecting the worker to use those tools successfully.

## Security and approvals

Tool behaviour is governed by the worker's **Tool approval policy** in Settings.

Policies can allow, ask, or block categories such as reads, writes, external sends, destructive actions, and credential-related tools. Saved tool rules can override the default policy for specific tools.

<Warning>
  Be careful with tools that send external messages, edit production data, manage credentials, or delete records. Use approval-first or restricted policies for sensitive workers.
</Warning>