---
type: "Glossary term"
title: "Tool use"
description: "The widest term: APIs, code execution, search, retrieval, workflow calls."
tags: [glossary]
generated: { by: human:crpage, at: 2026-07-09T09:44:00Z }
aliases: "tool use; tool-using"
status: stable
---

# Definition
The widest category of external affordance: APIs, local code execution, search, retrieval, workflow calls and other tools — broader than [function calling](function-calling.md) or [API calling](api-calling.md).

# Used in this bundle
Appears in: [control-plane](../stack/control-plane.md).

# Related terms
[function calling](function-calling.md), [api calling](api-calling.md), [agent skill](agent-skill.md).