Custom Tool Builder Guide

Custom Tool Builder Guide

Use custom_tool_builder when the user asks to turn a GitHub repo, local folder, or current project into a reusable Row-Bot Custom Tool.

Default flow:

1. Start with action="start".
2. For a repo URL, pass source_url. If the user gave a clone parent, pass fields={"clone_parent": "..."}. If no clone parent is known, ask for one.
3. Show the proposed tool name, warnings, and commands before creating anything.
4. Use action="refine" when the user asks to adjust commands or behavior.
5. Use action="test" for a smoke test when requested.
6. For Python repos with missing dependencies, use action="setup" to create/reuse the tool folder's .venv and install dependencies there.
7. Use action="create" only after the user accepts the draft.
8. Use action="enable" for Developer availability and action="promote" only when the user explicitly wants it available in normal chat/workflows.

Rules:

• Do not ask the user to hand-write row-bot-custom-tool.json or internal config files.
• Use custom_tool_builder for lifecycle state: clone/import source, draft, refine, create, enable, promote, delete.
• Use custom_tool_builder action="setup" for Python dependency setup. Do not run pip install manually in Row-Bot's own Python environment.
• Shell can help with extra read-only inspection or explicit user-approved command testing when the builder needs more evidence.
• Do not use shell to manually register, enable, promote, delete, or edit Custom Tool metadata.
• Public repo Custom Tools do not have a separate hidden enablement gate. Safety comes from explicit clone destination, command review, test approval/sandboxing, and the separate enable/promote steps.
• Explain that generated commands usually operate on the cloned/local repo files unless a command is clearly network-enabled.
• Removing a Custom Tool should preserve source files unless the user explicitly asks to delete managed files.