---
title: "Built-in Tools"
description: "Ready-to-use tools that ship with Agency Swarm framework."
icon: "toolbox"
---

Agency Swarm includes a set of built-in tools that provide common functionality for your agents. These tools are production-ready and can be used immediately without additional configuration.

## Quick Overview

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card
    title="IPythonInterpreter"
    icon="code"
  >
    Execute Python code in an isolated environment with persistent state.
  </Card>

  <Card
    title="PersistentShellTool"
    icon="terminal"
  >
    Run shell commands in a persistent terminal session.
  </Card>

  <Card
    title="LoadFileAttachment"
    icon="file"
  >
    Load and process local images and PDF files.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Tool Details

<Accordion title="IPythonInterpreter" icon="code" defaultOpen>

Executes Python code in an isolated IPython environment with persistent state between calls.

### Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="chart-line">
    **Data Analysis**
    Analyze and process datasets
  </Card>
  <Card icon="calculator">
    **Calculations**
    Perform mathematical and statistical operations
  </Card>
  <Card icon="flask">
    **Testing**
    Test code snippets in a safe environment
  </Card>
  <Card icon="file-code">
    **Scripts**
    Run Python scripts and automation
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Usage Example

```python
from agency_swarm import Agent
from agency_swarm.tools import IPythonInterpreter

data_analyst = Agent(
    name="Data Analyst",
    description="Analyzes data using Python",
    instructions="./instructions.md",
    tools=[IPythonInterpreter]
)
```

</Accordion>

<Accordion title="PersistentShellTool" icon="terminal">

Similar to the Agents SDK `LocalShellTool`, but works with any model. Executes shell commands in a persistent terminal session, maintaining state across multiple commands.

### Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="terminal">
    **CLI Commands**
    Execute command-line operations
  </Card>
  <Card icon="folder-tree">
    **File Operations**
    Navigate and manage file systems
  </Card>
  <Card icon="github">
    **Git Operations**
    Version control and repository management
  </Card>
  <Card icon="hammer">
    **Build Operations**
    Run build scripts and compile code
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Usage Example

```python
from agency_swarm import Agent
from agency_swarm.tools import PersistentShellTool

devops_agent = Agent(
    name="DevOps Agent",
    description="Manages deployment and infrastructure",
    instructions="./instructions.md",
    tools=[PersistentShellTool]
)
```

</Accordion>

<Accordion title="LoadFileAttachment" icon="file">

Loads local files and returns them in the appropriate format for the agent to view.

<Warning>
Only supports images and PDF files. For other file types, use the `FileSearch` and `CodeInterpreter` tools from the Agents SDK.
</Warning>

### Use Cases

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="image">
    **Image Processing**
    Load and analyze image files
  </Card>
  <Card icon="file-pdf">
    **PDF Reading**
    Extract and process PDF content
  </Card>
  <Card icon="upload">
    **User Files**
    Handle user-uploaded file attachments
  </Card>
  <Card icon="magnifying-glass">
    **File Analysis**
    Inspect and analyze local files
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

### Usage Example

```python
from agency_swarm import Agent
from agency_swarm.tools import LoadFileAttachment

file_processor = Agent(
    name="File Processor",
    description="Processes and analyzes local files",
    instructions="./instructions.md",
    tools=[LoadFileAttachment]
)
```

<Note>
The agent can use both absolute paths and paths relative to the current working directory. Make sure to instruct your agent accordingly on how to use this tool.
</Note>

</Accordion>

---

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card
    title="Custom Tools"
    icon="hammer"
    href="/core-framework/tools/custom-tools/step-by-step-guide"
  >
    Build your own tools from scratch
  </Card>

  <Card
    title="OpenAPI Schemas"
    icon="file-code"
    href="/core-framework/tools/openapi-schemas"
  >
    Convert APIs into tools
  </Card>

  <Card
    title="MCP Integration"
    icon="plug"
    href="/core-framework/tools/mcp-integration"
  >
    Use Model Context Protocol tools
  </Card>
</CardGroup>