Tool Calling

Giving LLMs the ability to interact with the world through tools.

Slides

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Outline

Why tools?

• LLMs can’t access real-time data or interact with the world
• Examples: R/Pharma speakers, weather, current date

How tool calling works

• Step-by-step walkthrough of the tool calling pattern
• LLM requests tools, you execute them, send results back
• Demo: 18_manual-tools - Manual tool approval
• Demo: 19_weather-tool - Automated tools

Practice with tools

• Activity: 10_quiz-game-2 - Add sound tool to quiz game (6 min)

Tools in Shiny apps

• Define tools inside server function
• Tools can update and read reactive values

Resources

• querychat, ggbot2, Databot, Posit AI newsletter