Adding capabilities to AI agents
AI agents in Agent Designer use Large Language Models (LLMs) for natural language understanding and reasoning. You can add functionality to agents by attaching tools that let it perform specific operations, such as calling APIs, running integrations, or querying data sources. After you attach tools to agent tasks the agent determines when to use a tool based on its reasoning, goal, and the context of the user's request.
Tools
Each operation you add to an agent is defined as a tool. Some tools must be configured while others are automatically configured from connected systems and sources.
You can attach the following tools to agents:
| Tool | Description | Configuration Required? |
|---|---|---|
| API tool | Enables the agent to make REST or SOAP API calls. | Yes |
| Integration tool | Enables the agent to run Boomi integrations. | Yes |
| Prompt tool | Enables the agent to learn how to respond to a certain input specifically for its assigned task through the detailed prompts and examples provided in the tool. | Yes |
| DataHub Query tool | Enables the agent to query a DataHub repository and retrieve data. This tool aligns with the Query Golden Records API endpoint. | Yes |
| MCP tool | Pre-configured, auto-generated tool from an MCP server that enables the agent to perform operations, such as retrieving data. | No |
| API Control Plane API tool | Pre-configured, auto-generated tool from API Control Plane that enables the agent to call APIs created in API Control Plane. | No |
| Application tool | Pre-deployed tools managed by Boomi that enable the agent to perform operations with a supported software application, such as creating a Google doc. Application tools use delegated authentication for user-specific, secure access via OAuth 2.0/2.1. | No |
Creating and managing tools
The Tools screen lets you create and manage tools and provides high-level details about each tool, including deployment status, which agents are using the tool, and the date the tool was last updated. Select the tool to view a side panel with details about the tool's settings.
To edit a tool, select a tool, open the side panel and select Edit.
MCP tools
You can connect MCP servers to Agent Designer. MCP servers provide MCP tools that include various operations, such as retrieving data or updating fields. These tools often resemble API endpoints and include definitions that explain their functions and the data they provide. Agents can access this tool information, which streamlines the agent-building process and allows for quick integration of capabilities with minimal configuration.
When connecting an MCP server, you select which MCP tools you want to import and use in your agents. Refer to Using MCP with Agent Designer and Connecting to an MCP Server to learn more.
API Control Plane tools
Use the API Control Plane source in Agentstudio to access APIs available on your API Control Plane. The source automatically retrieves API metadata and endpoint definitions, then generates API tools for the selected endpoints. These tools come fully configured with the necessary definitions and data, ready for use in your agents. Refer to Using the API Control Plane with Agent Designer and Configuring an API Control Plane source to learn more.
Incorporating tools into the build process
Before creating an agent, identify the capabilities it needs to achieve its goal.
For example:
- A weather agent needs a tool that calls a weather API
- A customer support agent may use a DataHub Query tool to retrieve records and Integration tool to update data.
Once tools are created they are reusable. You can attach the same tool to multiple agents. Agents can also use multiple tools together.
For example:
An agent calls an API to get data then triggers a Boomi integration process to update a status field in an application.
Authentication options
Tools have the following authentication options:
| Authentication method | Description | Available for |
|---|---|---|
| Platform JWT | Used for Boomi Platform APIs. The agent automatically uses the current user's JWT token when making calls, ensuring that access and responses are limited by the user's Boomi Platform permissions. No additional setup is required. |
|
| Token | Select when using a Bearer token. Agent Designer automatically adds the Authorization header. You only need to provide the token value. This field does not accept API keys or other key types. You can add any custom headers to the Headers section. |
|
| Basic Authentication | Select when using username and password to connect to the API. |
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| OAuth 2.0/2.1 | Select when using OAuth 2.0/2.1 Authorization Code flow to authenticate with an external identity provider. Conversational agents using this tool will prompt you to sign in with your credentials, allowing the agent to provide user-specific data. Agent step and agents using Structured mode are not supported. Refer to Configuring delegated authentication for details. |
|
| None | Select when no authentication is needed to connect. |
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