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Working with Tools

Tools let Numi fetch current information, run calculations, and create files. Start from a working conversation as described in Your First Chat.

Select a tool, fit it into an answer, and inspect the result.

Try a weather lookup

Send this request:

Use the weather tool to check the current weather in Tokyo. Include the temperature and conditions.

Weather is allowlisted by default and does not require an API key. It still needs a network connection, and an operator can disable it.

Watch the tool activity in the response. A call may first appear while its parameters are being prepared, then show the execution and result. The final answer should use the returned weather data. Expand the activity block to inspect the call if needed.

The model decides which tools to call. A request for current data is not complete just because an answer looks plausible: check that the tool ran successfully.

Run a calculation and create a chart

If the code interpreter is available, send:

Use Python to calculate the sum and average of 12, 18, 25, and 9.

The result should be 64 and 16. Then try:

Use Python to make a bar chart of those four values and save it as a PNG I can download.

A successful call returns the generated file, which the chat can display inline. Open the image to inspect it. These files belong to the conversation and require access to that chat.

The interpreter starts a fresh execution environment for each call. It can read files attached to the current chat, but Python variables from a previous call do not persist.

Check available tools

Open your profile menu at the bottom of the sidebar and select Tools. The Available Tools dialog lists the instance's registered tools. Required credentials and runtime dependencies can still affect whether a call succeeds.

Core tools are available to the model when enabled by the operator. Optional groups, such as Scientific Research, Grocery, Recipes, and Shopping, also need activation for the current chat. Use Open custom tools beside the message input to select a group. Numi may offer an activation card when an optional group would help; enabling it applies to that conversation.

If the operator has configured web search, send:

Search the web for the official documentation for Python's csv module and explain how to read a CSV file.

Check the search activity and open a source link in the answer. For a specific page, give Numi its URL and ask it to read the page before answering.

Operator requirements

These core tools are in the default allowlist. An explicit TOOLS_ALLOWLIST replaces that default; TOOLS_DENYLIST takes precedence.

Tool Requirement
weather_fetch Network access to the weather service; no API key
code_interpreter Installed Python sandbox runtime; simple calls can use Monty, while plotting and package-based work uses Pyodide/Deno
web_search PARALLEL_API_KEY
fetch_web_page PARALLEL_API_KEY for general pages, or opt-in direct fetching; specialized URL handlers have their own requirements
generate_image OPENROUTER_API_KEY
view, create_file, remember_fact, forget_fact No additional API key

See Tool settings for server configuration and Adding a custom tool for adding a tool.

If a call fails, read its error before retrying. Missing credentials need an operator change; missing Deno affects package-based Python work. Restart the server after changing environment settings. If no tool call appears, ask explicitly for the tool and check its availability in the instance.