This part introduces the fundamental concept of tools in ADK—what they are, why they matter, and how agents use them to extend their capabilities beyond pure language understanding. You'll learn the core architecture and build your first tool-enabled agent.

The problem: Agents limited by training data

The solution: Tools extending agent capabilities

Quiz Question 1

Quiz Question 2

Quiz Question 3

Understanding Tools

This part introduces ADK’s built-in tools—production-ready capabilities provided by the framework for common tasks. You'll learn to use Google Search and code execution tools without writing complex integration code.

The problem: Reinventing common capabilities

The solution: Built-in tools

Built-in tools

Understand what MCP is and how it extends agent capabilities through external servers.

The problem: Capabilities beyond what's build in

The solution: Model Context Protocol (MCP)

MCP tools

This part teaches you to create custom function tools tailored to your specific business logic and requirements. You'll learn to write effective tool functions with proper signatures, docstrings, and return values that the LLM can understand and use effectively.

The problem: Generic tools versus specific business needs

The solution: Custom function tools

Custom function tools

This part teaches you to design strategic instructions that guide agents to use multiple tools effectively. You'll learn instruction patterns, error handling strategies, and when to use specialized agents as tools.

The problem: Tools without guidance

The solution: Strategic instruction design

Combining tools effectively

Reading list

Reading List

You’ve built agents with advanced configuration—now give them real-world capabilities. Equip agents with tools that enable searching the web, executing code, querying databases, and performing custom actions. Transform agents from intelligent responders into capable assistants that take action.

Add real-world capabilities to AI agents with tools for web search, code execution, database queries, and custom actions using Google ADK.

Google: Add Agent Capabilities With Tools

 Equip AI agents with tools for web search, code execution, database queries, and custom actions. Transform agents into capable assistants.

The problem: Reinventing common capabilities

Google: Add Agent Capabilities With Tools

Hands-on interactive exercise