How Tools Work
When you interact with Gorkie, the AI model can decide to call one or more tools to fulfill your request. Each tool:- Has a clear description that helps the AI understand when to use it
- Accepts typed parameters validated with Zod schemas
- Returns structured results that the AI can reason about
- Provides real-time feedback through task status updates
Tool Categories
Gorkie’s tools are organized into three main categories:Chat Tools
These tools handle real-time interactions in Slack conversations. They enable Gorkie to:- Send messages and reactions
- Search the web and Slack workspace
- Read conversation history
- Generate images and diagrams
- Schedule reminders and recurring tasks
- Execute code in a sandboxed environment
Task Tools
Task tools run in the context of scheduled, recurring tasks. They focus on:- Delivering scheduled task output to channels or DMs
- Managing asynchronous workflows
Sandbox Tool
The sandbox tool delegates work to a persistent code execution environment powered by E2B and the Pi coding agent. It provides:- File processing and data analysis
- Package installation and code execution
- Persistent state across conversation sessions
- Access to specialized skills (browser automation, email, API integrations)
Available Tools
Here’s a complete list of tools available to Gorkie:Communication
reply
Send messages to Slack channels or threads
react
Add emoji reactions to messages
Information Retrieval
searchWeb
Search the web for current information
searchSlack
Search the Slack workspace
getUserInfo
Get Slack user details
getWeather
Get current weather for any location
readConversationHistory
Read message history from channels or threads
summariseThread
Summarize Slack threads
Content Generation
generateImage
Generate AI images from prompts
mermaid
Create Mermaid diagrams
Task Management
scheduleReminder
Schedule one-time reminders
scheduleTask
Create recurring cron-based tasks
listScheduledTasks
List your scheduled tasks
cancelScheduledTask
Cancel recurring tasks
Code Execution
sandbox
Execute code and process files in a persistent environment
Utilities
leaveChannel
Leave the current Slack channel
skip
End without replying to a message
Tool Execution Flow
When Gorkie calls a tool, you’ll see real-time updates in Slack:- Pending: Tool call initiated
- In Progress: Tool is executing with optional details
- Complete: Tool succeeded with output summary
- Error: Tool failed with error message
Best Practices
When working with Gorkie’s tools:- Be specific: Clear requests help Gorkie choose the right tools
- Provide context: Reference files, channels, or time ranges when relevant
- Use threads: Keep complex multi-tool workflows organized in threads
- Check permissions: Some tools require explicit mentions (e.g.,
searchSlack) - Monitor limits: Rate limits and user quotas apply to some operations
Next Steps
Chat Tools Reference
Detailed documentation for all chat tools
Sandbox Deep Dive
Learn about code execution and skills
Scheduled Tasks
Set up recurring automations
Add Custom Tools
Extend Gorkie with your own tools