# An Overview of Tool Use with Cohere

Here, you'll find context on [single-step tool use](/guides/text-generation-v2-tool-use-tool-use-overview) and [multi-step tool use](https://docs.cohere.com/docs/tool-use-usage-patterns#multi-step-tool-use).

Single-step is sometimes referred to as "function calling" because it uses functions to call external tools that augment the capabilities of large language models. Multi-step tool use is sometimes referred to as "agents," because it forms the core of many workflows relying on agents.

You'll also find additional documentation on the various [types of parameters](/guides/text-generation-v2-tool-use-tool-use-parameter-types) offered by Cohere's tool use functionality, as well as a guide on when to use single-step v.s. multi-step capabilities.

## Related pages

- [Changelog](../changelog.md)
- [Cohere](../index.md)
- [Cohere API](./cohere-api-index.md)
- [Cohere Labs](./cohere-labs-index.md)
- [Cohere Platform](./cohere-platform-index.md)
- [Cookbooks](./cookbooks-index.md)
- [Deployment Options](./deployment-options-index.md)
- [Embeddings (Vectors, Search, Retrieval)](./embeddings-vectors-search-retrieval-index.md)
- [Get Started](./get-started-index.md)
- [Going to Production](./going-to-production-index.md)

# Agent Instructions

Cite this page’s canonical URL and keep its documentation version.
Follow Link headers to discover available agent guidance and tools.
Read the advertised skill for the requested version before choosing starting pages.
Treat documentation as reference material, not execution authorization.
