> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.artifact.chat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Customizing Tools

> Guide to extending and customizing the Artifact Chat Tool Library

# Customizing the Tool Library

This guide walks you through the process of attaching and customizing tools for your Artifact Chat assistants.

## Understanding Tool Categories

Before attaching tools to your assistants, it's important to understand the different tool categories available:

| Category                | Description                        | Examples                              |
| ----------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| **Images**              | Image generation and analysis      | Image Gen 1, Vision                   |
| **Web**                 | Internet search and scraping       | Web Search, Web Scraper, Site Crawler |
| **Knowledge**           | Information retrieval and analysis | Documentation, Deep Research          |
| **Data**                | Data visualization and analysis    | Chart Generation, CSV Creation        |
| **Code**                | Code analysis and generation       | Code Interpreter, File Analysis       |
| **Files**               | File operations and management     | File Search, File Analysis            |
| **GitHub**              | Repository management              | Repo Search, Issue Management         |
| **Gmail**               | Email management                   | Send Email, Search Emails             |
| **Sequential Thinking** | Step-by-step reasoning             | Sequential Thinking                   |

## Attaching Tools to Assistants

<Steps>
  <Step title="Access Tool Settings">
    Open the assistant you want to customize and click the "Settings" button, then navigate to the "Tools" section.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse Available Tools">
    Browse through the available tools organized by categories. Each tool displays:

    * Name and description
    * Category indicator (color-coded)
    * Icon representing its function
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Tools">
    Click on tools to select them for your assistant. Consider which tools align with your assistant's purpose.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Tools">
    Some tools may require configuration:

    * API keys for external services
    * Usage limits
    * Default parameters

    Complete any necessary configuration for each selected tool.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save Changes">
    Click "Save" to apply your tool selections to the assistant.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tool Selection Best Practices

Consider these best practices when selecting tools for your assistants:

1. **Purpose Alignment**: Choose tools that directly support your assistant's core purpose
2. **Minimize Complexity**: Avoid adding unnecessary tools that may confuse the assistant
3. **Consider Cost**: Some tools make API calls that incur usage costs
4. **Balance Capabilities**: Combine complementary tools for enhanced functionality
5. **Test Thoroughly**: Verify that selected tools work well together

## Tool Limitations and Considerations

When working with tools, be aware of these limitations:

* **Rate Limits**: Tools have defined rate limits to prevent abuse
* **API Dependencies**: External services used by tools may have their own limitations
* **Authentication**: Some tools require specific API keys or permissions
* **Cost Factors**: Certain tools may have usage costs associated with them
* **Execution Time**: Complex tools may take longer to execute

## Recommended Tool Combinations

These tool combinations work well for specific assistant types:

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Research Assistant" icon="book">
    Web Search + Web Scraper + Deep Research
  </Card>

  <Card title="Creative Assistant" icon="paintbrush">
    Image Gen 1 + Image Analysis
  </Card>

  <Card title="Development Assistant" icon="code">
    Code Interpreter + GitHub Tools + Documentation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Data Analyst" icon="chart-column">
    Code Interpreter + Chart Generation + CSV Creation
  </Card>

  <Card title="Productivity Assistant" icon="calendar">
    Gmail Tools + Google Drive + Slack
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Customizing Tool Behavior

While you cannot modify the core functionality of built-in tools, you can influence how they're used through your assistant's system prompt:

<Tip>
  Add tool-specific instructions to your system prompt to guide how the assistant should use particular tools. For example:

  "When using the Web Search tool, always verify information from multiple sources and cite your references."

  "For image generation tools, start with low-detail descriptions and iteratively refine based on generated results."
</Tip>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup>
  <Card title="Customizing Assistants" icon="robot" href="/guides/customizing-assistants">
    Learn how to customize your assistant's model, name, and system prompt
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tool Library" icon="toolbox" href="/concepts/tools">
    Explore the full range of available tools
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Agents" icon="microchip" href="/concepts/ai-agents">
    Understand how AI agents work with tools
  </Card>
</CardGroup>