# Tools

> Tools in Agents, the mechanism through which agents access business application data and execute actions based on objectives defined in the prompt.

Tools offer agents both access to critical context from data stored in business applications, and the ability to execute actions based on objectives outlined in the prompt. Tools are how the agent's reasoning and planning can turn into action.

Without giving an agent explicit access to a tool, the agent is not able to execute functions (outside of Context Grounding and Escalations, which are separate components of an agent).

When adding a tool for your agent, provide a focused description of its purpose and capabilities, along with an explanation of when to use it in the system/user prompt. This ensures the agent understands the tool's functionality and can use it effectively in appropriate scenarios.

Continue reading about the types of tools available in Agents:

* [Activities](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/tools-activities)
* [Agents](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/tools-agents)
* [API workflows](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/api-workflows)
* [Automations](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/tools-processes)
* [MCP Servers](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/mcp-servers)

:::tip
Learn more about [Building effective agent tools](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/building-effective-agent-tools).
:::

For all tools configured with agents, you can establish [guardrails](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/tool-guardrails) to ensure compliant use of tools by your agent.

You can also set up tool simulations, to test agent behavior using synthetic input and output instead of real API calls. For details, refer to [Configuring simulations for agent tools](https://docs.uipath.com/agents/automation-suite/2.2510/user-guide/agent-evaluations#configuring-simulations-for-tools).