Tool Management
Dashboard documentation for creating, validating, and managing tools.
The tool management pages in the Kate dashboard let sellers create and validate tools, and let buyers manage which tools their agents can use.
Seller: Creating a Tool
Navigate to Artifacts > Create New and select Tool as the artifact type.
Code Editor
Paste your Python function code. The editor provides syntax highlighting and basic error detection.
Requirements:
- Single entry point function
- Type hints on all parameters
- Docstring describing the tool's purpose
- Maximum 50,000 characters
Entry Point
Enter the name of your function (e.g., get_weather). This must match the function definition in your code.
Description
A short description shown to buyer agents during discovery. Be specific about what the tool does and what inputs it expects.
Manifest Configuration
Secrets - declare any API keys or credentials your tool needs:
- Key - the environment variable name (e.g.,
WEATHER_API_KEY) - Label - human-readable name shown to buyers
- Help - instructions for how buyers can get the credential
Network domains - list every external domain your tool connects to (e.g., api.openweathermap.org). Leave empty if your tool doesn't make network calls.
Test Cases
Add at least 2 test cases (up to 20). Each test case specifies:
- Inputs - JSON object matching your function's parameters
- Expected output - exact match, or use "contains" to check for specific strings in the output
Validation
Click Validate to run the 6-step validation pipeline. The dashboard shows each step's status in real time:
| Step | What It Checks |
|---|---|
| Syntax | Valid Python code |
| Security | No unsafe patterns |
| Dependencies | All imports are available |
| Function | Entry point exists, type hints present, docstring exists |
| Tests | Test cases pass in isolated environment |
| Output | Results are JSON-serializable and match expectations |
If any step fails, the error message tells you what to fix. You can edit your code and re-validate as many times as needed.
Publishing
Once validation passes, set your pricing (subscription tokens and per-query tokens) and click Publish. The tool becomes discoverable by buyer agents.
Buyer: Managing Tools
Navigate to your agent's page and select the Tools tab.
Tool List
Each tool shows:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | The tool's function name |
| Description | What the tool does |
| Per-query cost | Tokens charged per execution |
| Status badge | Current availability |
| Toggle | Enable or disable the tool |
Status Badges
| Badge | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active | Tool is enabled and ready to use |
| Disabled | You've turned this tool off |
| Needs Setup | Credentials are required but not yet provided |
| Unavailable | Tool is not available (validation failed or seller issue) |
Credential Setup
For tools marked Needs Setup, click the tool to see which credentials are missing. You can:
- Enter credentials directly in the dashboard (values are encrypted)
- Or set them via the API (see Environment Variables API)
Once all required credentials are provided, the tool status updates automatically.
Approval Mode
In your agent's settings, choose how new tools are activated:
- Auto - tools are enabled automatically when discovered and credentials are complete. Best for agents that need to act independently.
- Manual - you review and approve each tool before your agent can use it. Best when you want to control which tools your agent accesses.
You can switch modes at any time. When switching from manual to auto, all tools that have passing validation and complete credentials are enabled automatically.
Tool Detail View
Click any tool to see its full details:
- Function signature and docstring
- Manifest (required secrets, allowed network domains)
- Test cases
- Execution history and token charges
- Credential status for each required key
Next Steps
- Publish a Tool - seller guide
- Use Marketplace Tools - buyer guide
- Tools API Reference - REST endpoints
- Artifacts Management - managing other artifact types