Tool Integration and MCP
Configure AI tools in PromptOwl including calculators, web search, and external MCP servers for extended agent capabilities.
This guide explains how to configure and use AI tools in PromptOwl, including built-in tools and external MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers.
Table of Contents
Tools extend your AI agent's capabilities beyond text generation. When tools are enabled, the AI can:
Perform calculations using the calculator tool
Get current date/time for time-sensitive queries
Search the web using Serper or Brave search APIs
Execute custom actions via MCP servers (e.g., database queries, API calls)
The AI automatically decides when to use tools based on the user's question. You don't need to explicitly request tool usage.
Pre-configured tools included with PromptOwl
Built-in tools requiring API keys
Serper Search, Brave Search
External tools from custom MCP servers
Custom integrations, databases
Click Tools in the left sidebar
View the Tools Configuration page
Screenshot: Tools Navigation Configuration Page Layout
The Tools page has two main sections:
Built-in tools you can enable/disable
External tool servers you connect
Screenshot: Tools Configuration Page
PromptOwl includes four built-in tools ready to use.
Performs mathematical calculations.
Math problems, unit conversions, percentages
Example Queries:
"Calculate the compound interest on $10,000 at 5% for 3 years"
"Convert 100 kilometers to miles"
Returns current date and time in various formats.
ISO, date-only, time-only, local
Example Queries:
"How many days until December 31st?"
"What time is it in ISO format?"
Web search powered by Google Serper API.
Disabled (requires API key)
Region, language, max results, safe search
Example Queries:
"Search for the latest news about renewable energy"
"Find information about Python 3.12 features"
Web search powered by Brave Search API.
Disabled (requires API key)
Region, language, max results, safe search
Example Queries:
"Search for best practices in API design"
"Find recent research on machine learning"
Screenshot: Built-in Tools
Some tools require API keys to function. Here's how to configure them.
Getting API Keys
Serper Search:
Brave Search:
Adding API Keys
Find the tool card (e.g., Serper Search)
Click the expand arrow to show configuration
Enter your API key in the password field
Screenshot: API Key Configuration Tool is enabled and configured
Tool enabled but missing API key
Tool status updates immediately
Note: Tools with "Needs Config" status won't work until you add the required API key.
MCP Server Integration
MCP (Model Context Protocol) allows you to connect external tool servers to PromptOwl.
MCP is a protocol that allows AI systems to use external tools. MCP servers can provide:
Database query capabilities
Specialized business logic
Third-party service connections
Adding an MCP Server
Scroll to the MCP Servers section
Fill in the server details:
Friendly name for the server
Endpoint where MCP server runs
http://localhost:3001/mcp
Auth method (currently no-auth supported)
Screenshot: Add MCP Server Dialog Managing MCP Servers
View Server Details:
Server cards show name, URL, creation date
Status dot indicates enabled (green) or disabled (gray)
Enable/Disable Server:
Click the toggle switch on the server card
Disabled servers won't provide tools to prompts
Edit Server:
Click the pencil icon on the server card
Update name, URL, or authentication
Delete Server:
Click the trash icon on the server card
Confirm deletion in the dialog
Screenshot: MCP Server Cards When you add an MCP server, PromptOwl automatically:
Connects to the server URL
Discovers available tools
Makes tools available for prompt selection
Shows tools with "MCP" badge in tool selector
Timeout: Tool discovery has a 30-second timeout. Ensure your MCP server responds quickly.
Tools are connected at the prompt level, giving you control over which prompts can use which tools.
Open a prompt for editing
Find the Tools section in the prompt editor
Click Add Tool (or the "+" button if tools exist)
Select tools from the available list
Screenshot: Tool Selection Modal Available Tools Section:
Shows all enabled built-in tools
Shows all tools from enabled MCP servers
MCP tools display server name below tool name
Toggle to select/deselect tools
Missing Tools Section:
Shows previously selected tools no longer available
Grayed out with warning indicator
Occurs when tool or server was disabled
Visual Indicators
Tool is connected and available
Tool comes from an MCP server
Tool was removed or disabled
Screenshot: Connected Tools Display
When chatting with a tool-enabled prompt, the AI automatically uses tools when appropriate.
User sends message with a question
AI analyzes if any connected tools would help
AI calls tool with appropriate parameters
Tool executes and returns results
AI processes results and generates response
User sees final answer incorporating tool data
Example Interaction
User: "What's the current stock price of Apple and calculate what a 10% gain would be?"
AI Process:
Recognizes need for web search (current data)
Calls Serper Search for "Apple stock price"
Calls Calculator for 185.50 * 1.10
Responds: "Apple's current stock price is $185.50. A 10% gain would bring it to $204.05."
You don't need to tell the AI to use tools
The AI decides based on the question
Multiple tools can be called in one response
Tool calls happen in the background
The AI won't use tools when:
The question can be answered from training data
No relevant tools are connected
The tool feature is disabled for the enterprise
User-Level Isolation
Each user has their own tool configurations
API keys are stored per-user (encrypted)
MCP servers are registered per-user
Tool selections on prompts are user-specific
API Key Security
Security Measure
Description
API keys encrypted before storage
Keys never shown after saving
Keys tied to specific user account
Enterprise Controls
Administrators can control tool availability:
Enable/disable tools for entire enterprise
Enable/disable MCP server configuration per client
Note: Tools can be enabled platform-wide by your administrator. Contact support if tools are not visible.
Do:
Enable only the tools your prompts actually need
Use specific search tools for accurate results
Test tools with sample queries before production use
Don't:
Enable all tools on every prompt
Share API keys between users
Rely solely on web search for critical data
MCP Server Setup
Do:
Use descriptive server names
Test server connectivity before adding
Monitor server uptime and response times
Document what tools each server provides
Don't:
Add untrusted MCP servers
Forget to update server URLs if they change
Leave unused servers enabled
Security Guidelines
Rotate API keys periodically
Use separate keys for test and production
Review tool usage in analytics
Limit MCP server access to necessary personnel
Troubleshooting
Check tool is enabled in Tools Configuration
Verify API key is configured (for API tools)
Confirm MCP server is enabled (for MCP tools)
Refresh the page and try again
API Tools: Verify API key is valid and has quota
MCP Tools: Check server is running and accessible
Calculator: Ensure expression is valid math
Search: Try different search terms
MCP Server Won't Connect
Verify server URL is correct and accessible
Check server is running and responding
Ensure no firewall blocking the connection
Review server logs for errors
Test URL directly in browser or curl
Confirm tool is connected to the prompt
Check question is relevant to tool capability
Try rephrasing the question
Verify tool returned valid results (check logs)
"Needs Config" Status Won't Clear
Expand the tool configuration
Verify all required fields are filled
Check password meets requirements:
Only alphanumeric, underscore, hyphen, period
Click Save after entering configuration
Quick Reference
Basic Setup:
Per-Prompt:
Tool
Default
Requires Config
