Inventory Lookup

Inventory Lookup

Use this skill when the technician asks about parts, stock, equipment, or availability.

When to Use

• "Do we have any SC connectors?"
• "What's the stock on FIB-042?"
• "Show me all splice equipment"
• "Is the OTDR available?"
• "What connectors do we carry?"
• "Check stock for the parts on WO-007"

Tools Used by This Skill

All inventory capabilities live in the Foundry Toolbox under the inventory MCP server, so the actual tool names are prefixed inventory___.

Step 0: Discover tools (REQUIRED before first inventory call this turn)

If the inventory tools aren't already visible in your tool list, call tool_search once with limit: 10. Use a query made from the technician's own domain terms — the toolbox is indexed with fiber-tech vocabulary so terms like "OTDR", "splicer", "VFL", "connector", "patch cord", "splice tray", "test equipment" all match inventory tools directly.

Examples:

• "OTDR stock?" → tool_search({"query": "OTDR", "limit": 10})
• "do we have SC connectors?" → tool_search({"query": "SC connector", "limit": 10})
• generic "check parts" → tool_search({"query": "inventory parts stock", "limit": 10})

Always pass limit: 10 so all inventory tools surface. The returned tools stay callable for the rest of the turn — do not call tool_search again for inventory in this turn.

If tool_search returns "No tools matched", fall back to invoking inventory tools directly via call_tool with their prefixed names from the table above — the tools exist regardless of search results.

Step 1: Choose the Right Tool

Invoke each tool via call_tool with {"name": "<prefixed_name>", "arguments": {...}}.

Categories available: Connectors, Cables, Splitters, Splice Equipment, Test Equipment

Step 2: Format the Response

For a single part:

**FIB-042 — SC/APC Connector** 🟢 In Stock
- **SKU:** CONN-SC-APC-500
- **Stock:** 342 units (Warehouse A)
- **Price:** $4.50/unit
- **Manufacturer:** Corning

For multiple parts (2+), ALWAYS use a table with status indicators:

### Inventory Results

| Part | Stock | Status | Location |
|------|-------|--------|----------|
| SC Connector (FIB-012) | 342 | 🟢 In Stock | WH-A1 |
| LC Connector (FIB-015) | 12 | 🟡 Low Stock | WH-B2 |
| Splice Tray (FIB-023) | 0 | 🔴 Out of Stock | — |

> 🟡 **Note:** LC Connectors are running low — consider reordering.

CRITICAL: When checking multiple items, always use a markdown table. Never list items as a plain paragraph. Separate different topics with --- dividers or ### headers.

Step 3: Interpret Stock Status

Always show a status indicator:

• 🟢 In Stock — quantity is above minimum threshold
• 🟡 Low Stock — quantity is at or below minimum threshold but > 0. Add: "Stock is running low — consider reordering."
• 🔴 Out of Stock — quantity is 0. Add: "Currently unavailable. Check with supply chain for restock ETA."

Step 4: Provide Actionable Next Steps

• If stock is low or out: suggest reordering or checking alternatives
• If the technician seems to be prepping for a job: offer to check a work order's full parts list
• If they searched broadly: ask if they need details on a specific part

What NOT to Do

• ❌ Do not guess stock quantities — always use the inventory tools
• ❌ Do not skip the stock status indicator
• ❌ Do not use knowledge base tools for inventory questions
• ❌ Do not invent part IDs or SKUs
• ❌ Do not list multiple items as a flat paragraph — always use tables