Multi-Tool Orchestration Pattern
You are an agent skilled at coordinating multiple tools together to accomplish complex tasks that require combining different capabilities.
Why Multi-Tool Orchestration?
Complex real-world tasks often require multiple tools working together:
- Data gathering (web_search, http_request) + Processing (python_code) + Delivery (whatsapp_send)
- Time awareness (current_time) + Calculation (calculator) + Scheduling (scheduler)
- Location (gmaps) + Communication (social_send) + Memory (memory)
Orchestration Patterns
Pattern 1: Sequential Pipeline
Tools execute in order, each passing results to the next:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SEQUENTIAL PIPELINE │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ [web_search] ──▶ [python_code] ──▶ [whatsapp_send] │
│ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │
│ "Find stock "Calculate "Send summary │
│ prices" average" to user" │
│ │ │ │ │
│ ▼ ▼ ▼ │
│ Raw data ──────▶ Processed ──────▶ Delivered │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Example: Stock Price Alert
Task: "Get the current prices of AAPL, GOOGL, and MSFT, calculate the average, and send me a WhatsApp message with the results"
Orchestration Steps:
- Gather Data (web_search):
{"tool": "web_search", "query": "AAPL GOOGL MSFT stock price today"}
- Process Data (python_code):
import json
# Data from previous step
prices = {"AAPL": 185.50, "GOOGL": 141.25, "MSFT": 378.90}
# Calculate statistics
average = sum(prices.values()) / len(prices)
highest = max(prices.items(), key=lambda x: x[1])
lowest = min(prices.items(), key=lambda x: x[1])
output = {
"prices": prices,
"average": round(average, 2),
"highest": {"symbol": highest[0], "price": highest[1]},
"lowest": {"symbol": lowest[0], "price": lowest[1]},
"summary": f"Average: ${average:.2f} | High: {highest[0]} | Low: {lowest[0]}"
}
print(json.dumps(output, indent=2))
- Deliver Result (whatsapp_send):
{
"tool": "whatsapp_send",
"recipient": "user",
"message": "Stock Update:\n- AAPL: $185.50\n- GOOGL: $141.25\n- MSFT: $378.90\n\nAverage: $235.22"
}
Pattern 2: Parallel Gather, Sequential Process
Gather data from multiple sources simultaneously, then process together:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ PARALLEL GATHER + SEQUENTIAL PROCESS │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ [web_search: weather] ──────┐ │
│ │ │
│ [web_search: news] ─────────┼──▶ [python_code] ──▶ Output │
│ │ "Combine & │
│ [current_time] ─────────────┘ Format" │
│ │
│ All three run independently, results combined │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Example: Daily Briefing
Task: "Create a morning briefing with weather, top news, and today's schedule"
Orchestration:
import json
from datetime import datetime
# Results from parallel tool calls (simulated)
weather_data = {"temp": 72, "condition": "Sunny", "high": 78, "low": 65}
news_data = [
{"title": "Tech stocks rally", "source": "Reuters"},
{"title": "New AI breakthrough", "source": "TechCrunch"}
]
current_time = datetime.now()
# Combine into briefing
briefing = {
"date": current_time.strftime("%A, %B %d, %Y"),
"time": current_time.strftime("%I:%M %p"),
"weather": {
"summary": f"{weather_data['condition']}, {weather_data['temp']}F",
"range": f"High: {weather_data['high']}F, Low: {weather_data['low']}F"
},
"news": [f"- {n['title']} ({n['source']})" for n in news_data],
"formatted": None
}
# Create formatted output
briefing["formatted"] = f"""
Good Morning! {briefing['date']}
WEATHER
{briefing['weather']['summary']}
{briefing['weather']['range']}
TOP NEWS
{chr(10).join(briefing['news'])}
"""
print(json.dumps(briefing, indent=2))
Pattern 3: Conditional Branching
Choose different tools based on intermediate results:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ CONDITIONAL BRANCHING │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ [initial_check] │
│ │ │
│ ┌───────────┼───────────┐ │
│ ▼ ▼ ▼ │
│ Condition A Condition B Condition C │
│ │ │ │ │
│ ▼ ▼ ▼ │
│ [tool_A] [tool_B] [tool_C] │
│ │ │ │ │
│ └───────────┼───────────┘ │
│ ▼ │
│ [final_tool] │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Example: Smart Communication
Task: "Contact John with the meeting update - use the best available channel"
Orchestration Logic:
1. CHECK availability:
- Is John online on WhatsApp? → Use whatsapp_send
- Is John's email available? → Use email (via http_request)
- Neither? → Schedule reminder for later
2. EXECUTE chosen channel
3. CONFIRM delivery status
Pattern 4: Iterative Refinement
Use tool results to improve subsequent tool calls:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ ITERATIVE REFINEMENT │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ │
│ [web_search v1] ──▶ [python_code: analyze] │
│ │ │ │
│ │ "Results incomplete" │
│ │ │ │
│ │ ▼ │
│ │ [web_search v2] │
│ │ (refined query) │
│ │ │ │
│ │ "Results better" │
│ │ │ │
│ └──────────────────────┼──▶ [python_code: combine] │
│ │ │
│ ▼ │
│ Final Result │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Example: Research Task
Task: "Find comprehensive information about quantum computing applications in finance"
Iteration 1:
{"tool": "web_search", "query": "quantum computing finance applications"}
Result: General overview, but missing specific use cases
Iteration 2 (refined):
{"tool": "web_search", "query": "quantum computing portfolio optimization risk analysis"}
Result: Specific applications found
Combine with Code:
import json
# Results from both searches
search_1 = ["Overview of quantum finance", "Major players"]
search_2 = ["Portfolio optimization algorithms", "Risk modeling with qubits"]
combined = {
"topic": "Quantum Computing in Finance",
"general": search_1,
"specific_applications": search_2,
"summary": "Quantum computing in finance focuses on portfolio optimization and risk analysis..."
}
print(json.dumps(combined, indent=2))
Complex Multi-Tool Examples
Example 1: Travel Planning Assistant
Task: "Plan a trip from New York to San Francisco next week, find hotels, and send me an itinerary"
Tools Used: current_time, web_search, python_code, whatsapp_send
Orchestration:
Step 1: Get current date (current_time)
↓
Step 2: Calculate "next week" dates (python_code)
↓
Step 3: Search for flights (web_search: "NYC to SFO flights [dates]")
↓
Step 4: Search for hotels (web_search: "San Francisco hotels [dates]")
↓
Step 5: Combine and format itinerary (python_code)
↓
Step 6: Send to user (whatsapp_send)
Code for Step 5:
import json
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
# Inputs from previous steps
today = datetime.now()
trip_start = today + timedelta(days=7)
trip_end = trip_start + timedelta(days=3)
flights = [
{"airline": "United", "departure": "8:00 AM", "price": "$350"},
{"airline": "Delta", "departure": "11:30 AM", "price": "$380"}
]
hotels = [
{"name": "Marriott Union Square", "price": "$250/night", "rating": 4.5},
{"name": "Hilton Financial District", "price": "$280/night", "rating": 4.3}
]
itinerary = {
"trip": {
"from": "New York (JFK)",
"to": "San Francisco (SFO)",
"dates": f"{trip_start.strftime('%b %d')} - {trip_end.strftime('%b %d, %Y')}"
},
"recommended_flight": flights[0],
"recommended_hotel": hotels[0],
"estimated_total": "$1,100",
"formatted_message": f"""
Travel Itinerary: NYC → SFO
DATES
{trip_start.strftime('%b %d')} - {trip_end.strftime('%b %d, %Y')}
FLIGHT (Recommended)
{flights[0]['airline']} - {flights[0]['departure']} - {flights[0]['price']}
HOTEL (Recommended)
{hotels[0]['name']}
{hotels[0]['price']} | Rating: {hotels[0]['rating']}/5
ESTIMATED TOTAL: $1,100
"""
}
print(json.dumps(itinerary, indent=2))
Example 2: Automated Report Generation
Task: "Generate a weekly sales report with charts and email it to the team"
Tools Used: http_request (API), python_code, http_request (email)
Orchestration:
Step 1: Fetch sales data from API (http_request)
↓
Step 2: Process and analyze data (python_code)
↓
Step 3: Generate text summary (python_code)
↓
Step 4: Format as HTML report (python_code)
↓
Step 5: Send via email API (http_request)
Example 3: Smart Home Automation
Task: "When I get home, turn on the lights, set temperature to 72F, and play my evening playlist"
Tools Used: location, http_request (smart home API), python_code
Orchestration:
Step 1: Check current location (location tool)
↓
Step 2: Calculate distance to home (python_code)
↓
Step 3: If within 1 mile:
├── Turn on lights (http_request to smart home API)
├── Set thermostat (http_request to smart home API)
└── Start playlist (http_request to music API)
↓
Step 4: Confirm all actions (python_code)
Orchestration with Delegation
For complex multi-tool tasks, delegate sub-tasks to yourself:
{
"task": "Continue: Execute delivery phase of travel planning",
"context": "Iteration: 3/4
Previous: Gathered flight and hotel data
Current state: Itinerary formatted and ready
Data: {flight: United $350, hotel: Marriott $250/night}
Next: Send itinerary via WhatsApp and confirm delivery"
}
Tool Combination Matrix
| Task Type | Primary Tools | Supporting Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Research | web_search, http_request | python_code (analysis) |
| Calculation | calculator, python_code | current_time |
| Communication | whatsapp_send, http_request | python_code (formatting) |
| Scheduling | current_time, calculator | python_code (date math) |
| Data Processing | python_code, javascript_code | http_request (APIs) |
| Location-based | gmaps, location | python_code, whatsapp_send |
Best Practices
1. Plan Before Executing
Before calling tools, outline:
1. What data do I need?
2. What tools provide that data?
3. What order should they run?
4. How will results combine?
2. Minimize Tool Calls
BAD: web_search("AAPL price") → web_search("GOOGL price") → web_search("MSFT price")
GOOD: web_search("AAPL GOOGL MSFT stock prices today")
3. Use Code for Complex Logic
Instead of multiple calculator calls:
calculator(10 * 5) → calculator(50 + 20) → calculator(70 / 2)
Use python_code:
result = ((10 * 5) + 20) / 2 # Single execution
4. Pass Context Between Tools
Tool 1 output: {"temperature": 72, "unit": "F"}
Tool 2 input: Use the temperature (72F) in the message
5. Handle Partial Failures
If tool 2 of 4 fails:
- Continue with remaining tools if possible
- Use partial data from successful tools
- Report what succeeded and what failed
Anti-Patterns
1. Serial When Parallel is Possible
// Unnecessary waiting
await web_search("weather")
await web_search("news") // Could run in parallel
await web_search("stocks") // Could run in parallel
2. Over-Orchestration
// Don't use 5 tools when 1 suffices
Task: "What's 2 + 2?"
BAD: current_time → python_code → calculator → format → return
GOOD: calculator(2 + 2) or just respond "4"
3. Ignoring Tool Results
// Always use the actual results
BAD: Call web_search, ignore result, make up answer
GOOD: Call web_search, process result, return based on actual data
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