OpenAPI API Tools
OpenAPI API tools let an instance expose selected operations from an existing customer or third-party API.
The backing API runs outside Workshape Catalyst. Workshape Catalyst validates and calls selected operations through a tool adapter.
When To Use OpenAPI Tools
Section titled “When To Use OpenAPI Tools”Use an OpenAPI API tool when:
- the backing system already has a stable HTTP API
- the operation can be described clearly to the model
- input and output schemas are explicit
- authentication can be scoped safely
- the operation can be allowlisted
Use a custom code tool instead when:
- the workflow needs custom orchestration across systems
- the source API is not described well enough
- the operation needs special audit summaries
- the tool must transform or minimize sensitive output before the model sees it
Selection, Not Import Everything
Section titled “Selection, Not Import Everything”Do not expose an entire API spec as tools.
Select the operations an agent is allowed to call:
tools: openapi: support-api: specFile: ./integrations/support-api.openapi.yaml auth: mode: serverCredential secretRef: support-api-token operations: - operationId: getTicket toolName: support.get_ticket permission: sensitive_read - operationId: createEscalation toolName: support.create_escalation permission: writeRequired Controls
Section titled “Required Controls”For each operation, document:
- what the model-facing description says
- what user permissions are required
- which auth credential is used
- whether output is returned to the model
- whether output is shown in the UI
- what audit event is recorded
- expected rate limits and timeout behavior
The agent should never get implicit access to every operation in a customer API.