What a tool call looks like in a conversation

Open the trace of a Mate's tool calls to see what it asked, what the tool returned and why a call failed.

Last updated About 16 hours ago

When a Mate uses a tool to answer, for example a web search, a CRM lookup or a Python run, the conversation keeps a trace of each call. You can open it to see what the Mate asked the tool, what the tool returned, and why a call failed. This article is for everyone who talks with Mates.

The Tools called button

A reply that used tools shows a Tool called button (one call) or Tools called button (several calls) under the message, with the number of calls in a badge.

The Mate decides alone when a request needs a tool. You do not have to name the tool, but you can: "Use the CRM tool to find the account of Acme."

Mate reply with the Tools called button and its badge

Open the details

Click Tools called. A panel opens on the right side:

  • At the top: the Mate's name and {tool} tool call details, or Tool calls details (n) for several calls.
  • One section per call, with the name of the action called and its status:
    • a green check: the call succeeded,
    • a red warning sign: the call failed.

Click a call to expand it. You see:

  • a short summary of the tool,
  • Arguments: what the Mate sent to the tool, for example the search query or the record ID. This part is folded for a successful call; click it to unfold.
  • Response: what the tool returned to the Mate, as raw data.
Tool call details panel with one call expanded

Use it to check where a figure comes from, to understand an unexpected answer, or to copy the exact data that the tool returned.

When a tool call fails

A failed call shows its error message in red, with its Arguments unfolded so you can see what was sent. A Report button can appear next to the error: click it to send the problem to the allmates.ai team, with the reference of the message.

Frequent causes:

  • Wrong input: the Mate sent a value the tool does not accept. Rephrase your request with more precise details.
  • Missing access: the account behind the tool cannot see the data.
  • Tool unavailable: the external service did not answer. Try again later.

The Mate usually reads the error and tries again or explains the problem in its reply.

When a tool needs your account

Some tools act with each member's own account. The first time a Mate needs such a tool for you, the reply asks you to connect instead of answering:

  • Connect my account opens the service's sign-in. After you sign in, the Mate continues.
  • Continue without tool lets the Mate answer without the tool.

Other tools ask you to fill in a credential, such as your own API key, then click Save credentials and Retry request. See "Personal and shared tool authentication" for all the messages.

Good to know

  • Everyone who can see the conversation can open the tool call details of its messages, arguments and responses included.
  • Files that a tool creates, such as a chart from the code interpreter or a generated image, appear as attachments of the Mate's reply, not only in the details panel.
  • Tools come from the Mate. A Mate can only call the tools attached to it. Hover over its avatar to see them.