# What is a Tool / Connection

> Understand what tools are on AgentPMT and how your AI agent uses them to get things done.

Content type: documentation
Source URL: https://www.agentpmt.com/docs/core-concepts/what-is-a-tool
Markdown URL: https://www.agentpmt.com/docs/core-concepts/what-is-a-tool?format=agent-md
Category: Core Concepts

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# What is a Tool / Connection

A **tool** (also called a connection) is a service your AI agent can call to perform an action or retrieve data. Tools are the building blocks of everything your agent does on AgentPMT.

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## How Tools Work

When your agent needs to do something -- search the web, send an email, look up a product, generate an image -- it calls a tool. The flow is simple:

1. **Agent decides it needs a tool**
   Based on your instructions, the agent determines which tool to use.

2. **AgentPMT routes the call**
   The platform checks that the tool is in your budget, your credentials are set up, and your spending cap hasn't been exceeded.

3. **Tool executes and returns results**
   The tool runs on the vendor's infrastructure and sends results back to your agent. Your budget is charged the tool's credit cost.

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## Types of Tools

- **Function Tools**: API-based tools that perform actions: search, generate, transform, send messages, and more.
  - **Data Tools**: Tools that return structured data: market prices, weather, product catalogs, analytics.
  - **Compute Tools**: Tools that run compute-intensive tasks: image generation, video processing, ML inference.
  - **Physical Products**: Real-world items your agent can order on your behalf: supplies, gifts, food delivery.

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## What Makes a Tool Available

A tool only appears to your agent if:

1. **It's in your budget** -- You've added the tool (or its vendor) to one of your budgets
2. **Credentials are bound** -- If the tool requires API keys or OAuth tokens, you've provided them
3. **Your spending cap allows it** -- The tool's credit cost doesn't exceed your remaining cap

> INFO
>
> Tools are created and maintained by vendors. Each tool has a credit price set by the vendor. You can see pricing on every tool's marketplace page.

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## Where to Find Tools

- [Browse the Marketplace](/marketplace) - Search and filter tools by category, vendor, or type
  - [What is a Workflow](/docs/core-concepts/what-is-a-workflow) - Learn how tools chain together into automated workflows