CUSTOMIZATIONTools

System tools

Update the internal state of conversations without external requests.

System tools enable your assistant to update the internal state of a conversation. Unlike server tools or client tools, system tools don’t make external API calls or trigger client-side functions—they modify the internal state of the conversation without making external calls.

Overview

Some applications require agents to control the flow or state of a conversation. System tools provide this capability by allowing the assistant to perform actions related to the state of the call that don’t require communicating with external servers or the client.

Available system tools

End call

Let your agent automatically terminate a conversation when appropriate conditions are met.

Language detection

Enable your agent to automatically switch to the user’s language during conversations.

Agent transfer

Seamlessly transfer conversations between AI agents based on defined conditions.

Transfer to human

Seamlessly transfer the user to a human operator.

Skip turn

Enable the agent to skip their turns if the LLM detects the agent should not speak yet.

Implementation

When creating an agent via API, you can add system tools to your agent configuration. Here’s how to implement both the end call and language detection tools:

1from elevenlabs import (
2    ConversationalConfig,
3    ElevenLabs,
4    AgentConfig,
5    PromptAgent,
6    PromptAgentInputToolsItem_System,
7)
8
9# Initialize the client
10elevenlabs = ElevenLabs(api_key="YOUR_API_KEY")
11
12# Create system tools
13end_call_tool = PromptAgentInputToolsItem_System(
14    name="end_call",
15    description=""  # Optional: Customize when the tool should be triggered
16)
17
18language_detection_tool = PromptAgentInputToolsItem_System(
19    name="language_detection",
20    description=""  # Optional: Customize when the tool should be triggered
21)
22
23# Create the agent configuration with both tools
24conversation_config = ConversationalConfig(
25    agent=AgentConfig(
26        prompt=PromptAgent(
27            tools=[end_call_tool, language_detection_tool]
28        )
29    )
30)
31
32# Create the agent
33response = elevenlabs.conversational_ai.agents.create(
34    conversation_config=conversation_config
35)

FAQ

Yes, system tools can be used alongside server tools and client tools in the same assistant. This allows for comprehensive functionality that combines internal state management with external interactions.