**Capitão's Tools are actions that Papo's (https://papo.global/) artificial intelligence assistant can execute to automate tasks and interact with other systems. They allow the AI to go beyond just answering questions, enabling it to perform practical actions such as scheduling meetings, checking the status of an order in an external system, or creating a new deal in your CRM, all directly from the customer conversation.**

With Tools, you transform your Capitão assistant from a passive informant into a proactive agent. It can understand the customer's intent and use a specific tool to resolve the request on the spot, without the need for human intervention. This opens up a wide range of possibilities for complex and efficient automations.

| Tool Type | Description | Example Usage | Technical Knowledge |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Native** | Pre-configured and ready-to-use integrations, available on the Papo platform. | Schedule a demo in the salesperson's Google Calendar. | Low (just activate and connect the account). |
| **Custom (HTTP)** | Custom actions that connect to external systems (ERPs, CRMs) or Papo's own API. | Check the status of an order in the company's e-commerce system. | Advanced (requires knowledge of APIs and HTTP requests). |

## How Capitão's Tools Work?

The process of how a Tool works is an intelligent cycle that connects the customer's conversation to a concrete action:

1.  **Intent Interpretation:** The customer sends a message like "I'd like to know where my order 12345 is" or "I want to schedule a meeting with a consultant."
2.  **Tool Selection:** Capitão analyzes the message and, based on the instructions and descriptions of the tools you have configured, identifies which one is most suitable to resolve the request.
3.  **Action Execution:** The AI triggers the selected tool. If it's a tool to check an order, it will send the number "12345" to your external system. If it's for scheduling, it will check for available times in the calendar.
4.  **Response Return:** The external system or native tool returns a result (e.g., "Order in transit" or "Available times: 2 PM and 3 PM").
5.  **Communication to the Customer:** Capitão uses this information to formulate a natural and complete response for the customer, autonomously finalizing the request.

This flow transforms customer service, allowing the AI to solve problems end-to-end, and not just provide basic information.

## Types of Tools: Native vs. Custom

You can equip your Capitão assistant with two types of tools, each with a different purpose.

### Native Tools
These are ready-to-use integrations, developed and maintained by Papo. The goal is to simplify connection with popular services without you having to worry about technical details.

The main example is the **Google Calendar integration**. By activating it, you allow Capitão to:
*   Check real-time availability in the calendar of one or more team members.
*   Offer available times to the customer during the conversation.
*   Automatically create the event in the calendar as soon as the customer confirms the desired time.

Configuration usually involves simply authorizing Papo to access your account in the external service and activating the tool for your assistant.

### Custom (HTTP) Tools
Custom tools offer total flexibility, allowing Capitão to communicate with virtually any system that has an API (Application Programming Interface). This includes your ERP, CRM, e-commerce platform, or even other modules within Papo itself.

To configure a custom tool, you need to provide the details of the HTTP request that the AI should make:
*   **Endpoint URL:** The address of the API to be called (e.g., `https://api.mysystem.com/v1/orders`).
*   **HTTP Method:** The action to be performed (GET to retrieve data, POST to create, PUT to update, etc.).
*   **Headers:** Additional information, such as authentication keys (`Authorization: Bearer sk_your_secret_key`) to ensure the request is secure and authorized.
*   **Body (Request Body):** The data to be sent, usually in JSON format. You can use conversation variables to make the action dynamic (e.g., `{"order_id": "{variable_order_number}"}`).

With this, you can create automations such as "check loyalty points balance," "create a lead in Papo's CRM," or "open a support ticket in your internal system."

## Step-by-Step: How to Configure a Tool in Capitão

Although the exact menu names may vary, the conceptual process for enabling a tool for your assistant follows a clear logic.

1.  **Access Assistant Settings:** In the Papo panel, navigate to the configuration area of the Capitão you want to enhance.
2.  **Locate the Tools Section:** Within the assistant's settings, look for the option to manage or add new tools.
3.  **Add a New Tool:** Choose between using a "Native Tool" from the list or creating a "Custom Tool."
4.  **For Native Tools:**
    *   Select the desired integration (e.g., Google Calendar).
    *   Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your account and grant the necessary permissions.
    *   Activate the tool so Capitão can start using it.
5.  **For Custom (HTTP) Tools:**
    *   **Give a Name and Description:** This is a crucial step. The name should be clear (e.g., "CheckOrderStatus") and the description needs to explain in natural language what the tool does and when it should be used (e.g., "Use this tool to get the status of an order when the customer provides the number"). The AI will use this description to decide when to trigger the action.
    *   **Configure the Request:** Fill in the technical fields: endpoint URL, HTTP method, authentication headers, and the request body, using variables when necessary.
    *   **Save and Activate:** After filling in all the data, save the configuration.
6.  **Test the Tool:** Send a message to the assistant in a test channel, simulating a customer's request, to ensure the tool is being triggered correctly and the response is as expected.

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

### What is an API and why do I need it for custom tools?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and definitions that allows different software systems to communicate. For custom tools, your system's API (ERP, CRM, etc.) is the "bridge" that allows Capitão to send and receive information, such as checking an order or creating a customer.

### Do I need to know how to code to use Capitão's Tools?
For **native tools**, no. Configuration is simple and guided, involving clicks and account authorizations. For **custom (HTTP) tools**, yes, basic knowledge of how APIs and HTTP requests work is required. This is a more advanced feature, aimed at developers or teams with technical support.

### Can Capitão use tools to perform actions within Papo itself?
Yes. You can use custom tools to interact with Papo's own API. For example, you can create a tool that, upon identifying a new lead in the conversation, makes a call to Papo's API and creates a new contact in the CRM or adds a specific tag to it.

### How does the AI know which tool to use in each situation?
The AI decides based on two main factors: the intent detected in the user's message and the **description** you provide when configuring the tool. A clear and precise description, such as "Use this tool to schedule a technical visit," is fundamental for Capitão to understand the context and choose the correct action.

### Are custom tools secure?
The security of connections via custom tools depends on correct implementation. Papo stores your API keys securely, but it is your responsibility to ensure that you are connecting to secure endpoints (HTTPS) and using API keys that only have the necessary permissions to perform the action, minimizing risks.

## Read Also
*   [Meet Capitão: How to set up your personalized AI assistant](/hc/papo/articles/meet-captain-how-to-configure-your-ai-assistant)
*   [What is Papo's API and what is it for?](/hc/papo/articles/what-is-papo-api-and-its-purpose)

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