A tool is a bounded capability such as search, calculation, or sending a message. The agent decides when and how to request it; the tool returns evidence or an effect.

A Tool Changes What an Agent Can Do

A language model maps context to a prediction or structured proposal. Tools, state, policies, validation, and control flow turn model calls into a bounded agent system.

A Model Is One Component, Not the Whole Agent

In this situation—using a calculator instead of guessing a medication-cost total—which choice best applies “A Tool Changes What an Agent Can Do”?

An observation supplies evidence about the environment; an action attempts to change it or obtain more evidence. Confusing the two can make an agent treat guesses as real-world results.

Observation and Action Are Different

The environment includes people, services, rules, and changing conditions outside the agent. A graph must distinguish its internal state from external facts that require observation.

The Environment Sets External Reality

A tool interface names an operation, validates inputs, reports outputs and failures, and constrains side effects. Natural-language descriptions alone are not an execution contract.

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