Custom Tools: Connect Your AI Agent to Any API

Extend Your Agent's Capabilities Beyond Built-In Integrations

Today we're launching Custom Tools, a powerful feature that lets developers and advanced users connect their Dialora AI voice agents to virtually any third-party API. Whether you need to query proprietary databases, update your CRM, check inventory, or book appointments in custom systems, Custom Tools make it possible.

Until now, Dialora agents could integrate with our built-in services like GoHighLevel, Zapier, and Cal.com. Custom Tools remove those limitations, opening up unlimited possibilities for what your voice agent can do.

What's New: Custom API Integrations

Custom Tools enable you to:

• Connect to any API: Integrate with proprietary systems, internal databases, or niche third-party services
• Define endpoints: Specify the exact API endpoints your agent should call
• Set parameters: Control what data gets sent to the API and when
• Handle responses: Use API responses to guide agent behavior and responses
• Trigger intelligently: Determine when and how the agent should invoke each tool
• Authenticate securely: Support API keys, OAuth, and custom authentication schemes
• Chain actions: Create workflows where API calls trigger other actions

Think of Custom Tools as extending your agent's hands instead of just talking, your agent can now take real actions in systems that matter to your business.

Common Use Cases

CRM Updates: Automatically log calls and update customer records

• Agent calls your CRM API to update account notes
• Customer details sync automatically after interaction
• Next team member sees full conversation history

Appointment Booking: Book appointments in proprietary scheduling systems

• Agent connects to your internal booking system
• Checks availability in real-time
• Confirms appointments without manual entry
• Works with custom or legacy booking systems

Inventory Lookups: Check stock and availability instantly

• Agent queries your inventory database
• Provides real-time product availability
• Handles backorder requests automatically
• Updates stock levels after purchase

Order Management: Process and look up orders seamlessly

• Agent retrieves customer order history
• Checks order status and tracking
• Processes simple returns or refunds
• Escalates complex issues to humans

Database Queries: Access any internal data

• Retrieve customer information
• Check compliance or eligibility
• Look up pricing or configuration data
• Query historical information for context

Ticketing Systems: Create and update support tickets

• Agent creates tickets in your system automatically
• Escalates complex issues with full context
• Updates ticket status as issues progress
• No manual transcription needed

How Custom Tools Work

Creating and managing custom tools involves three key steps:

Step 1: Define the Tool

In your Dialora dashboard, you specify:
Go to agents -> data integrations and tools → custom tools.

• Tool name: A descriptive name (e.g., "Lookup Customer Order")
• API endpoint: The full URL of the API you're connecting to
• HTTP method: GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, or PATCH
• Authentication: API key, Bearer token, OAuth, or custom headers
• Input parameters: What information the agent will provide to the API
• Output parsing: How to interpret the API response

Example tool definition:

Tool: Look Up Customer Order
Endpoint: https://api.company.com/orders/{customer_id}
Method: GET
Auth: API Key: sk_live_xxxxx
Input: customer_phone_number (required), order_id (optional)
Output: Order status, tracking number, estimated delivery

Example instruction:

"When a customer asks about their order status, use the Look Up Customer Order tool.
Ask for their phone number, then query the order database. If found, tell them the status
and tracking number. If not found, ask if they'd like to speak to a representative."

Step 3: Test and Deploy

• Test with sample API calls
• Monitor tool usage and success rates
• Adjust parameters and prompts as needed
• Deploy to production when ready

Authentication and Security

Custom Tools support multiple authentication methods:

Bearer Token:

• OAuth 2.0 bearer tokens
• Automatic refresh if your service supports it
• Enterprise-grade security

Custom Headers:

• Add any custom authentication headers
• Support for specialized authentication schemes
• Maximum flexibility

All API keys and credentials are encrypted at rest and transmitted securely. We never log sensitive authentication data.

Integration with Built-In Features

Custom Tools work seamlessly alongside our existing integrations:

• Combine with GoHighLevel: Create custom tools for your specific business logic, while using GoHighLevel for CRM operations you want pre-built
• Extend Zapier: Use Custom Tools for APIs Zapier doesn't support, while using Zapier for common integrations
• Supplement Cal.com: Custom tools let you add your proprietary scheduling logic on top of Cal.com's calendar management
• Chain Multiple Tools: Have your agent use several custom tools in sequence to complete complex workflows

Example: Real-World Implementation

Here's how a financial services company uses Custom Tools:

The Scenario: Customer service agents handle loan application follow-ups via voice

The Setup:

1. Custom Tool 1: Loan Status API - Query application status and document requirements
2. Custom Tool 2: Document Upload API - Receive documents submitted during the call
3. Custom Tool 3: CRM API - Update application notes and customer info
4. Custom Tool 4: Notification API - Send confirmation emails/texts

The Agent Flow:

• Agent answers call, detects caller phone number
• Automatically queries Loan Status API for application details
• Guides customer through required next steps
• If documents are needed, takes them via call transcription or directs customer to portal
• Updates CRM with all details
• Sends confirmation via Notification API
• All without a single manual step

The Result:

• 80% faster application processing
• Zero manual data entry
• Better customer experience
• Reduced support team workload

Pricing and Limits

Custom Tools are available on all Dialora plans at no additional cost. Some guidelines:

• API call limits: Depends on your subscription tier
• Response time: Tools must respond within 10 seconds
• Payload size: Requests and responses up to 1MB
• Concurrent calls: Handle multiple simultaneous API calls

Security Best Practices

When using Custom Tools:

• Validate inputs: Your agent will pass data to APIs; ensure it's properly sanitized
• Use HTTPS: All Custom Tools must use encrypted endpoints
• Monitor usage: Watch for unexpected API calls or errors
• Handle errors gracefully: Don't expose sensitive error messages to customers

Read more: How to Set Up Intelligent Call Transfer for Your AI Voice Agent

Transform Your Agent into a Business Tool

With Custom Tools, your AI voice agent becomes more than a conversation interface it becomes a fully integrated business tool. Whether you're connecting to internal systems, proprietary databases, or niche third-party services, the possibilities are endless.

Ready to build advanced integrations?

1. Log into your Dialora dashboard
2. Navigate to Integrations → Custom Tools
3. Check out our documentation for common use cases
4. Start building your first integration

For complex implementations or enterprise integrations, contact sales@dialora.ai to connect with our integration team.

Your voice agent is about to get a lot more powerful.