Artificial intelligence tool calling presents a model with named operations and input definitions. The model selects a tool and supplies arguments, the harness executes the operation, and the result returns to the model for the next decision.
Multi-step tool use requires consistent identifiers, valid arguments and recovery from errors. A fast response is valuable only if the model chooses the correct tools and the harness verifies consequential effects.
Acronyms and aliases
AI tool calling acronymfunction calling synonymmodel tool use synonymartificial intelligence tool calling variant
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
What tools can a coding model call?
A harness may expose file reads, searches, code edits, tests, builds or terminal commands through structured operations with bounded permissions.
Why is tool-calling quality important?
An incorrect tool or argument can corrupt later steps, so agents need reliable selection, clear errors and verification of the resulting state.
