The ability of an LLM to call external functions (search, code execution, databases) mid-conversation.
LLM applications are noisy by default. Non-determinism, open-ended inputs, and multi-step tool use create a flood of traces that all look “fine” — until something breaks. The difference between noise and signal is an…
The hallucination problem would be a stronger argument if LLMs weren't already capable of doing lots of useful tasks despite it. Tool use means agents aren't relying on training data alone.
The ability of an LLM to call external functions (search, code execution, databases) mid-conversation. The building block of agentic systems.
"The agent's tool use includes shell, file edit, and a web browser."
tool use means The ability of an LLM to call external functions (search, code execution, databases) mid-conversation. It's mostly used in casual online conversation. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.
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The vocabulary of software engineers, AI researchers, and anyone living in a terminal or on GitHub — from LLM to MCP, CORS to vibe coding, agentic to enshittification.
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The mechanism by which an LLM decides to call an external function — search, code execution, database query — in the middle of a response. The core primitive of agentic systems. Tool-calling quality is where Claude has pulled ahead for agents.
The craft of writing inputs to LLMs to reliably produce the output you want. Includes role-setting, few-shot examples, chain-of-thought, and careful phrasing.
Anthropic's CLI that turns Claude into an agentic pair-programmer with filesystem, shell, and web access. Central to the rise of agentic coding in 2025.
An AI assistant embedded in a tool you already use — GitHub Copilot in your IDE, Microsoft Copilot in Office. The assistive, non-agentic cousin of modern AI agents.
🧵 3/3 If you've wondered how agents go from "hello world" to production-grade tool use, this is for you. More info at cloudsummit.eu/en/session?g... 📍Room V, 06/05/2026, 15:20 PM See you there! 😎
tool use means The ability of an LLM to call external functions (search, code execution, databases) mid-conversation. It's mostly used in casual online conversation. It's casual and generally safe with friends and online. It's standard online vocabulary; nothing inherently concerning about hearing it.
"tool use" is slang. It means: The ability of an LLM to call external functions (search, code execution, databases) mid-conversation. Register: casual. Use it in: casual conversation and online posts. Avoid in: formal writing and professional emails.
“LLM applications are noisy by default. Non-determinism, open-ended inputs, and multi-step tool use create a flood of traces that all look “fine” — until something breaks. The difference between noise and signal is annotation.”
“The hallucination problem would be a stronger argument if LLMs weren't already capable of doing lots of useful tasks despite it. Tool use means agents aren't relying on training data alone.”
“🧵 3/3 If you've wondered how agents go from "hello world" to production-grade tool use, this is for you. More info at cloudsummit.eu/en/session?g... 📍Room V, 06/05/2026, 15:20 PM See you there! 😎”
“Originally thought to be a skill possessed only by humans, some tool use requires a sophisticated level of cognition.”
“Tool use by non-humans is a phenomenon in which a non-human animal uses any kind of tool in order to achieve a goal such as acquiring food and water, grooming, combat, defence, communication, recreation, or construction.”