# Using Tools and Workflows

> Learn how to use tools and workflows with your AI agent once your budget is set up.

Content type: documentation
Source URL: https://www.agentpmt.com/docs/tools-and-workflows/using-tools-and-workflows
Markdown URL: https://www.agentpmt.com/docs/tools-and-workflows/using-tools-and-workflows?format=agent-md
Category: Tools & Workflows

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# Using Tools and Workflows

Once you've set up a budget and added tools, your agent can start using them immediately. Here's how the day-to-day experience works.

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## Using Tools Through Your Agent

Your agent sees the tools in its budget and calls them based on your instructions. You don't need to specify which tool to use -- the agent picks the right one.

**Example conversation:**

> **You:** "Search for recent news about AI regulation in the EU"
>
> **Agent:** *Calls the web search tool, retrieves results, summarizes findings*

The tool call happens behind the scenes. You see the result. Your budget is charged the tool's credit cost.

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## Using Workflows

Workflows run as a sequence of tool calls. When your agent recognizes that a task matches a workflow in your budget, it follows the workflow's steps automatically.

You can also trigger a workflow explicitly:

> **You:** "Run the competitor analysis workflow for Company X"

The agent will execute each step in the workflow, passing results between tools, and return the final output.

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## What Happens During a Tool Call

1. **Agent selects the tool**
   Based on your instruction, the agent picks the best tool from the ones available in its budget.

2. **Budget check**
   AgentPMT verifies the tool is in the budget, credentials are bound, and the spending cap allows the call.

3. **Credentials injected**
   If the tool requires authentication, your stored credentials are injected server-side. The agent never sees them.

4. **Tool executes**
   The tool runs on the vendor's infrastructure and returns results to your agent.

5. **Credits deducted**
   On success, the tool's credit cost is deducted from your balance. Failed calls are free.

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## Viewing Results

Tool call results appear inline in your agent conversation. You can also review all calls in the **Agent Activity** tab on your dashboard, where you'll see:

- Tool name and vendor
- Request and response payloads
- Credit cost
- Timestamp
- Which budget was used

> TIP
>
> Use the "Watch Agent Live" feature in the Agent Activity tab to see tool calls streaming in real time as your agent works.

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## Next Steps

- [Browse the Marketplace](/docs/tools-and-workflows/browsing-the-marketplace) - Find new tools and workflows to add
  - [Watch Agent Activity](/docs/monitoring/watching-agent-activity) - Monitor your agent in real time