> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.ada.cx/_mcp/server.

# Tools

> **Tip**
>
> **Not sure where to begin?** Explore our [Getting started](/docs/welcome/getting-started) guidelines to set up your first AI Agent, review [Key concepts](/docs/welcome/key-concepts) to understand the essentials, or check out [Improvement tactics](/docs/welcome/improvement-tactics) to resolve issues and keep things running smoothly.

Tools let an AI Agent do things beyond the conversation — call an external system, run logic, and return exactly what it needs to answer or act. Adding tools to a [Playbook](/docs/automation/playbooks) or [Process](/docs/automation/processes) lets the Agent complete tasks and fetch real-time data, instead of drawing only on [Knowledge](/docs/knowledge).

Three types of tool are available. Choose based on where the tool is defined and what the Agent needs to do with the result.

## API tools

An [API tool](/docs/automation/tools/api-tools) calls an external endpoint you configure and hands the response to the AI Agent. Use one to fetch or send data when the response is already usable as-is — order status, account details, or a record update.

## Code tools

A [code tool](/docs/automation/tools/code-tools) runs a small piece of Python that reshapes, computes, or formats a result and returns only what the AI Agent needs, in a fixed shape. It is the evolved API tool: reach for one when a raw response needs trimming, a value needs an exact calculation, or output must be consistent every time.

## MCP tools

An [MCP tool](/docs/automation/tools/mcp-tools) lets the AI Agent use tools that already live on an MCP server your company runs. Connect the server once by URL, and every tool it exposes is discovered and ready to turn on. Reach for one when the system you want the Agent to reach is already published as an MCP server, instead of building each capability by hand.

## The tools page

All three tool types live together on the **Tools** page. Each tool shows its **type** (API, Code, or MCP), its availability, where it's used, and whether it's active. Search or filter by type and status to find one. Turn tools on or off individually or in bulk.

To add a tool, select **＋ Tools**. Then choose **New API tool**, **New Code tool**, or **Connect an MCP server**.

![The Tools page, showing API, Code, and MCP tools together](/_fern-img/a3a611f3e6d8ab1b3c642f768c7a2fa09de1fc258b827b9d34812d3932403102.webp)

---

Have any questions? Contact your Ada team, or email us at [](mailto:help@ada.cx?subject=Help%20Docs%20inquiry).

> Overview

## Docs

- [API tools](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/api-tools.md): Overview
- [Token configuration](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/api-tools/token-configuration.md)
- [API tool control](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/api-tools/api-tool-control.md)
- [External API design](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/api-tools/api-tool-control/external-api-design.md)
- [Best practices](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/api-tools/api-tool-control/best-practices.md)
- [Code tools](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/code-tools.md): Overview
- [Create a code tool](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/code-tools/create-a-code-tool.md)
- [Inputs, outputs, and environment](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/code-tools/inputs-outputs-and-environment.md)
- [Limits and best practices](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/code-tools/limits-and-best-practices.md)
- [MCP tools](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/mcp-tools.md): Overview
- [Connect a server](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/mcp-tools/connect-a-server.md): Add an MCP server and turn on its tools
- [Authentication and channels](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/mcp-tools/authentication-and-channels.md): Connected account vs. customer sign-in
- [Limits and best practices](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/mcp-tools/limits-and-best-practices.md): Choosing safe tools and writing good descriptions
- [Troubleshooting](https://docs.ada.cx/docs/automation/tools/mcp-tools/troubleshooting.md): Common MCP tool questions and how to resolve them