Tools and connectors

Beyond conversation, an assistant can call external systems: look something up, or take an action, through tools and connectors.

Connections vs tools

• A connection is a reusable link to an external system (email, blob storage, a webhook, an MCP server, or a REST/OpenAPI service), set up once with its credentials held securely by reference.
• Tools are the specific actions an assistant can take through those connections. You enable the tools an assistant may use.

Add tools to an assistant

In the assistant’s Tools / Connectors section, pick the connections and turn on the tools you want it to have. The assistant can then call them during a conversation, or run them unattended as part of a task.

Read vs write, and approvals

Tools that only read are low-risk. Tools that change something (a “write” action) can be held for approval before they run, so a person confirms before the assistant, say, sends an email or updates a record. Classify tools and set approval where it matters.

Personal connections

Some connections are personal: each user links their own account, and the assistant acts as them. Users manage these from their profile (see Using Ajutant).

Caution

Give an assistant only the tools it needs, and hold write actions for approval unless you’re sure. It’s easier to widen access later than to undo an unwanted action.