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Version: 2.0

Agent Tools Overview

Vectara provides several tools that enable agents to perform searches, manage artifacts, process documents, and connect to external systems. This overview summarizes each tool type and its capabilities.

  • Searches through Vectara corpora to find relevant information. Agents can use this tool to query your indexed document collections and retrieve contextually relevant results.
  • Supports custom search parameters, generation settings, and query configuration.
  • Searches the internet for current information beyond your indexed corpora.
  • Configurable result limits and query parameters. You can also specify

Lambda tools​

  • Enables user-defined Python functions that run in a secure, sandboxed environment.
  • Automatic input and output schema generation from type annotations.

Document conversion​

  • Converts supported document types (PDF, DOCX, PPTX, etc.) into markdown.

Artifacts​

  • Reads artifact content stored within the agent session with optional range and encoding parameters.
  • Searches through an artifact using standard pattern matching syntax and options.
  • Cross-reference artifacts across multiple turns of a conversation.
  • Create new files during the session, such as saving reports.

Image reading​

  • Interprets image uploads with visual comprehension, such as charts, graphs, screenshots, and diagrams.

Model Context Protocol (MCP)​

MCP tools extend agent functionality with external integrations, file handling, and media processing capabilities. Each MCP tool operates in a secure sandbox with clear input/output schemas.