Tool call
A tool call is a request from the model, routed by the client, to run one named tool with structured arguments.
What it means
During a conversation the model can ask to run a tool. It names the tool and supplies arguments, such as a search query or a URL. The client forwards that request to the server, waits for the answer and passes the answer back to the model. The model then uses the result to write its reply or to make another call.
Every tool call adds its result to the context, so a long page or a large list of results can crowd out other material. Search tools that return short, checked passages keep that cost low. Watch the number of calls too, since hosted tools often bill per call. A well-designed tool also returns clear errors, so the model can retry with a corrected query instead of guessing at what went wrong during the research task.
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Cite this entry
https://searchmcpserver.com/glossary/tool-call/