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What are Tools and the playground?
TL;DR: Tools are custom callable functions — often HTTP-based — that agents and playbooks can invoke. Create tools from the Tools page and test them in the playground before using them in production playbooks.
Who this is for
Builders creating reusable functions for agents and playbooks.
What is a tool?
A tool is a function with a defined name, description, parameters, and execution logic. When an agent or playbook step calls a tool, Ballet executes the function and returns the result.
Tools are often HTTP endpoints, but can also wrap other logic depending on configuration.
What is the playground?
The playground is a testing environment on the Tools page. Send test inputs to a tool and inspect the response before wiring it into an agent or playbook. Use the playground to validate API connections and parameter formats.
How do tools relate to connectors?
Connectors link to external MCP servers with many built-in tools. Custom tools are workspace-defined functions you create yourself. Both can be called by agents and playbook steps.
How do I create a tool?
- Open Tools from the sidebar (or ⌘K → Create tool).
- Define the tool name, description, and parameters.
- Configure the execution logic (typically an HTTP call).
- Test in the playground.
- Attach to an agent or reference in a playbook step.