Built-in Functions
Built-in functions are ready-to-use tools that require no configuration—just enable them and your agent gains new capabilities instantly. These tools handle common tasks that LLMs notoriously struggle with.
Available Functions
Calculator
Gives your agent the ability to perform mathematical calculations accurately.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic operations | Addition, subtraction, multiplication, division |
| Advanced math | Percentages, exponents, roots |
| Precision | Handles decimal calculations correctly |
Why This Matters
LLMs are notoriously unreliable at math. Without the calculator tool, asking "What's 17% of $234.50?" might give a wrong answer. With the calculator, the agent delegates math to a reliable compute engine.
Example conversation:
User: "I want to leave a 20% tip on a $87.50 dinner bill. How much is that?"
Agent: [Uses calculator: 87.50 × 0.20 = 17.50] "A 20% tip on $87.50 would be $17.50, bringing your total to $105.00."
When to Enable
Always enable the calculator if your agent might encounter:
- Pricing calculations
- Percentage questions
- Order totals
- Financial discussions
- Any numeric comparisons
Current Date and Time
Provides your agent with awareness of the current date and time.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Current date | Today's date in the configured timezone |
| Current time | Current time with timezone awareness |
| Day of week | Useful for scheduling context |
Why This Matters
LLMs have a knowledge cutoff date and don't inherently know "today's" date. Without this tool, an agent asked "Is the store open now?" couldn't check against business hours.
Example conversation:
User: "Are you open on Saturdays?"
Agent: [Uses date/time: Saturday, January 18, 2025, 2:30 PM] "Yes, we're open on Saturdays! In fact, it's Saturday right now and we're open until 6 PM. How can I help you today?"
When to Enable
Enable date/time if your agent handles:
- Business hours questions
- Appointment scheduling
- Time-sensitive offers
- Deadline discussions
- Any "when" questions
Configuration
Built-in functions require minimal setup:
- Navigate to Agent Configuration > Tools
- Find Built-in Functions section
- Toggle on the functions you need
- Save changes
That's it—no API keys, no endpoints, no configuration required.
Best Practices
1. Enable Both by Default
Unless you have a specific reason not to, enable both calculator and date/time. They add minimal overhead and prevent embarrassing mistakes.
2. Trust the Agent's Judgment
You don't need to instruct the agent when to use these tools. The agent will automatically use the calculator for math and date/time when temporal context is needed.
3. Combine with Instructions
For time-sensitive businesses, include operating hours in your instructions:
## Business Hours
- Monday-Friday: 9 AM - 6 PM EST
- Saturday: 10 AM - 4 PM EST
- Sunday: Closed
Use the current date/time tool to determine if we're currently open
when customers ask about availability.4. Handle Edge Cases
For complex calculations, add guidance:
## Pricing Calculations
- Always calculate final prices including tax (8.5%)
- Round to two decimal places for currency
- For bulk orders (10+ items), apply 15% discount before taxLimitations
Calculator Limitations
- Handles standard arithmetic, not symbolic math
- Won't solve equations (e.g., "solve for x")
- Unit conversions may need explicit instructions
Date/Time Limitations
- Returns server timezone by default
- Doesn't automatically handle user's local timezone
- Can't access historical data or future events
Working Around Timezone Issues
If your customers span multiple timezones, instruct your agent to ask:
When discussing times, confirm the customer's timezone:
"Just to make sure I give you the right time, what timezone are you in?"Related Documentation
- Tools Overview - Understanding agent tools
- API Integration - Connect to external APIs
- Instructions - Writing effective prompts