Working with tools
AI Agents transform natural language into spatial insights by invoking tools that can take geospatial action such as geocoding an address, executing a Workflows to identify best locations around geocoded location and add the output as new layer highlighting top locations.
Types of tools
Core tools
The «Core tools» are built-in tools by CARTO available immediately with no setup required. These handle common map interactions such as displaying a geocoded address on the map, zooming to a given location, filtering a layer or even adding new styled layers into the map.
MCP tools
You can provide your AI Agent with access to Workflows MCP Tools you have access to within your organization, expanding its capabilities. In CARTO you can create MCP Tools using Workflows, ensuring your AI Agent has access to valid and trustworthy tools that ensure your business logic is taken into account. Learn how to create Workflows MCP Tools in this section.
Once the required MCP Tools for your AI Agent are created, you can add them by clicking "Show tools" to expand the MCP Tool panel located on the right side. After that, you can review the Tool description, Input and Output details if present.
Core tools overview
Core Tools are organized into four main categories. You don't need to know their parameters, just reference them by name in your Instructions, and the agent handles the details.
Map tools
These tools let the Agent control the map position as well as the map extracting area of interest.
get_spatial_filter
Get current area of interest (viewport or polygon).
lds_geocode
Convert address to coordinates.
set_map_center_and_zoom
Zoom the map view to a specific layer extent.
set_map_center_and_zoom_to_layer
Zoom the map view to a specific layer extent.
get_map_coordinates
Retrieve the current map view coordinates and zoom level.
Layer tools
These tools let the Agent add, style and display layers on the map.
add_layer
Visualize source data as new layer on the map.
style_layer
Style ai-generated layers.
set_layers_visibility
Remove ai-generated layers.
remove_layer
Removes a temporal ai-generated layer.
Widget tools
These tools let the Agent extract widget values and use them to filter data sources on the map.
filter_category_widget
Filter by categories (e.g., type, region)
filter_histogram_widget
Filter by distribution ranges
filter_range_widget
Filter by min/max values
get_formula_widget
Retrieve calculated metrics (KPIs).
get_category_widget
Get category breakdowns.
get_histogram_widget
Get distribution data.
get_time_series_widget
Get temporal patterns.
Parameter tools
These tools let the Agent update parameter values on the map.
set_sql_parameter_text
Update text parameter values.
set_sql_parameter_date
Update date parameter values.
set_sql_parameter_numeric
Update numeric parameter value.
set_sql_parameter_numeric_range
Update numeric range parameter values.
Data tools
These tools let the Agent generate SQL to add new sources on the map as well as executing queries against your map connection. Note this tools are off by default, you must enable Query sources capability in order to enable them. Learn how to configure capabilities in this section.
add_source
Creates temporal ai-generated data sources from queries that can be used to render a new layer on the map.
remove_source
Remove a temporal ai-generated data sources.
execute_query
Run ai-generated query to provide insights.
Workflows Output tools
If a Workflows MCP Tool is provided to your Agent, your Agent comes with additional tools that let your Agent retrieve results from the Workflows execution. Learn about Workflows as MCP Tools in this section.
add_source_from_workflows
Creates a temporal ai-generated layer using the fully-qualified table name output by a Workflows.
async_workflows_job_check_status
Check job status from Asynchronous Workflows execution.
async_workflows_job_get_results
Get the results from Asynchronous Workflows execution.
Last updated
Was this helpful?