AI functions and required inputs
Define the operations an AI agent can use and the information it must supply to each operation.
What it is
Functions are operations an AI agent can use to obtain information or perform an action. Each function has a name, description and type, plus any expected arguments. You decide which functions a feature or skill makes available.
Who uses it and why
Users with the Settings or Developer role select the approved operations for an agent. Developers define integration details and the parameter descriptions that help the AI supply suitable input.
Where to find it
Open Settings › AI › Functions. You need Settings with AI allowed under Settings Permissions, or Developer.
Assign functions through Functions under Settings › AI › Features. For reusable skills, use AI Functions under Settings › AI › Skills.
How it works
- Define an operation in the function catalogue and configure its type-specific options.
- Describe what it does and when the agent should use it.
- Define Parameters where the type needs them. Some types generate or import their parameters automatically.
- Enable the function and assign it to a compatible feature or skill.
- During a request, the AI can ask to call the available function. INSIDE runs the configured operation and returns its result for the agent's next decision.
Function types cover knowledge lookup, browsing, APIs, scripts, connected automations, workflow tasks, voice actions, data updates, commerce, specialist agents and virtual try-on. Availability depends on the owning feature and required integration.
For supported text agents, an active skill can add functions. INSIDE combines these with the feature's functions, removes repeated references to the same function and rejects conflicting effective names. Supported tool history can let the agent revisit earlier results.
Configure it
Choose the function Type, enter Name and Description, and complete the type-specific options. Names must contain 1 to 64 letters, numbers, underscores or hyphens. A new function cannot reuse an existing name on the website.
Under Parameters, set each argument's Key, Type, Description and Required flag. Supported types include text, integers, numbers, booleans, arrays, objects and enumerations. Use Items Type, Enum Values (comma-separated) or Object Schema (JSON) as appropriate.
Save the function, check Enabled, and select it on the intended feature or skill. Creating a catalogue entry alone does not assign it to an agent.
Settings
| Setting | Where | Applies to | Default | Who can change it | What it does |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enabled | Settings › AI › Functions | website | On for a new function | Settings role, Developer role | Controls whether a configured function is available to supported agents. |
| Functions | Settings › AI › Features | website | Not set: no functions assigned to the feature | Settings role, Developer role | Selects configured operations for that AI feature. |
| AI Functions | Settings › AI › Skills | website | Not set: no functions added by the skill | Settings role, Developer role | Adds operations when an assigned skill becomes active. |
Fields
| Field | Where | Required | What it is for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Settings › AI › Functions | Yes | Identifies the operation to the AI and in configuration lists. |
| Description | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Explains when the AI should use the operation. |
| Type | Settings › AI › Functions | Yes | Selects the kind of operation and its configuration form. |
| Key | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Names an argument in Parameters. |
| Type | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Sets an argument's value type within Parameters. |
| Required | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Marks an argument as mandatory in the function's parameter definition. |
| Description | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Explains an individual argument within Parameters. |
| Items Type | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Defines the item type for an array argument. |
| Enum Values (comma-separated) | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Lists the allowed values for an enumeration argument. |
| Object Schema (JSON) | Settings › AI › Functions | No | Defines the properties of an object argument. |
Permissions
| Permission | Lets you |
|---|---|
| Settings | Manage AI functions and assignments when AI is allowed under Settings Permissions. |
| AI | Allows AI configuration within Settings Permissions. |
| Developer | Manage AI functions and assignments. |
Limits and good to know
- System-managed functions cannot be deleted or have their names or types changed. You can customise their descriptions.
- Instructions mentioning an operation do not make an unassigned operation available.
- Each function type determines what arguments it accepts and how failures are reported. A parameter definition is not a guarantee that an external service will accept a request.
- Active skills cannot increase the feature's execution limits. Their combined functions are subject to the skill limits.
- Email Autopilot excludes workflow functions. Voice call actions use Voice Autopilot's own selection and execution path.
Depends on and works with
+4 more · this feature uses
- Virtual Try-On with customer photosEnhances
Virtual Try-On is available as a configured function type.
- Conversation history tools for AIEnhances
Supported agents can inspect previous tool results when tool history is enabled.
- AI result processor templatesConfigured by
Optional result processors change how function output is reused.
- Virtual Assistant tasks started by AutopilotEnhances
Workflow functions can hand supported Autopilot conversations to a task.
+30 more · used by
- AI knowledge and web searchRequires
The agent must have the appropriate retrieval function available.
- AI integrations and automation toolsRequires
Each external operation is a configured and assigned function.
- AI updates to customer and conversation dataRequires
Update Data and Workflow must be available as configured functions.
- Reusable AI skills and instructionsEnhances
An active skill adds selected functions to the feature's effective function set.
- Specialist sub-agents for AI tasksRequires
Specialist invocation is configured as a function available to the calling feature.
- AI agent service connectionsEnhances
External agents can receive access to permitted INSIDE functions.
- Rich content in AI repliesEnhances
Approved tool results can supply facts for cards.
- AI product suggestion settingsConfigured by
The built-in suggestion process uses the search functions configured and assigned to the feature.
- AI answer citations and summariesEnhances
Tool results provide the evidence referenced by answers.
- INSIDE AiFlow test dashboard · managed by PowerfrontConfigured by
Configured functions determine which operations Tool Tester can execute.
- Virtual Try-On with customer photosRequires
Virtual Try-On must be available as a function on the AI feature.
- Ask AI agents in Team ChatEnhances
The agent can use approved functions that do not require unavailable visitor context.
- AI result processor templatesConfigured by
Each function selects its Result Processor and output-processing Mode.
- AI model provider selectionEnhances
Tool-capable providers can request functions made available to an AI feature.
- OpenAI API connection optionsEnhances
Supported models can request functions exposed by the feature.
- Google AI Studio model connectionEnhances
Direct connections can use functions exposed by the AI feature.
- AWS Bedrock model connectionEnhances
Compatible Bedrock models can request functions exposed by a feature.
- Embedding models for knowledge searchRequires
Embedding options are configured on a Knowledge Base function.
- Knowledge Base connections for AIRequires
Knowledge retrieval runs as an authorised AI function.
- Algolia Search for AI knowledgeRequires
The connector runs through an enabled and authorised AI function.
- Saved responses as AI knowledgeConfigured by
The generated search function's enablement and description control its availability and guide its use by AI features.
- Knowledge sources behind AI citationsConfigured by
Knowledge Source on an AI function assigns the named source to information that function returns.
- AI execution tracing with LangfuseEnhances
Traces can include tool calls, arguments and results.
- MCP tool connections for AIRequires
The selected remote operation runs through an authorised AI function.
- Voice Autopilot connection setupConfigured by
The selected AI functions determine which call actions and custom tools the voice agent may use.
- Salesforce Models API connectionEnhances
Explicit tool emulation lets supported model responses request configured functions.
- Commerce provider setup and selectionConfigured by
A Commerce function can select a fixed provider instead of automatic routing.
- Product search and filtersConfigured by
Commerce function capabilities control AI access to catalogue search and facets.
- AI customer and order searchRequires
A Commerce function exposes the enabled search and lookup capabilities.
- AI commerce functions and access limitsRequires
Commerce is an AI Function with authorised operation execution.
View all connections as a list
This feature uses
- Roles and permissionsConfigured by
Roles and AI permissions control catalogue access.
- AI feature settings and change historyConfigured by
AI features choose the functions they can use.
- AI run limitsConfigured by
Run allowances restrict repeated function execution.
- AI knowledge and web searchEnhances
Knowledge and browser functions provide retrieved information.
- AI integrations and automation toolsEnhances
External-action functions call APIs, scripts and connected automations.
- AI updates to customer and conversation dataEnhances
Update Data and workflow prerequisites control structured data collection.
- Reusable AI skills and instructionsEnhances
Active skills add their selected functions to a supported feature.
- Specialist sub-agents for AI tasksEnhances
Sub-agent functions request work from another configured AI feature.
- Virtual Try-On with customer photosEnhances
Virtual Try-On is available as a configured function type.
- Conversation history tools for AIEnhances
Supported agents can inspect previous tool results when tool history is enabled.
- AI result processor templatesConfigured by
Optional result processors change how function output is reused.
- Virtual Assistant tasks started by AutopilotEnhances
Workflow functions can hand supported Autopilot conversations to a task.
Used by
- Virtual Assistant tasks started by AutopilotRequires
The AI function catalogue exposes Virtual Assistant Task for permitted AI use.
- Autopilot for live chatEnhances
Selected functions let Autopilot perform permitted actions.
- Autopilot handover and error handlingConfigured by
A Virtual Assistant Task function enables an intentional AI handoff.
- Copilot reply suggestionsEnhances
Configured functions supply information and permitted actions.
- Ask AI beside a visitor conversationEnhances
Configured functions extend what the assistant can do.
- Email Autopilot for ticketsEnhances
Assigned functions can provide results before the final ticket action.
- Voice Autopilot call handlingConfigured by
The selected functions determine which call actions and custom operations are available.
- AI run limitsEnhances
The function catalogue supplies the operations used between generations.
- AI knowledge and web searchRequires
The agent must have the appropriate retrieval function available.
- AI integrations and automation toolsRequires
Each external operation is a configured and assigned function.
- AI updates to customer and conversation dataRequires
Update Data and Workflow must be available as configured functions.
- Reusable AI skills and instructionsEnhances
An active skill adds selected functions to the feature's effective function set.
- Specialist sub-agents for AI tasksRequires
Specialist invocation is configured as a function available to the calling feature.
- AI agent service connectionsEnhances
External agents can receive access to permitted INSIDE functions.
- Rich content in AI repliesEnhances
Approved tool results can supply facts for cards.
- AI product suggestion settingsConfigured by
The built-in suggestion process uses the search functions configured and assigned to the feature.
- AI answer citations and summariesEnhances
Tool results provide the evidence referenced by answers.
- INSIDE AiFlow test dashboard · managed by PowerfrontConfigured by
Configured functions determine which operations Tool Tester can execute.
- Virtual Try-On with customer photosRequires
Virtual Try-On must be available as a function on the AI feature.
- Ask AI agents in Team ChatEnhances
The agent can use approved functions that do not require unavailable visitor context.
- AI result processor templatesConfigured by
Each function selects its Result Processor and output-processing Mode.
- AI model provider selectionEnhances
Tool-capable providers can request functions made available to an AI feature.
- OpenAI API connection optionsEnhances
Supported models can request functions exposed by the feature.
- Google AI Studio model connectionEnhances
Direct connections can use functions exposed by the AI feature.
- AWS Bedrock model connectionEnhances
Compatible Bedrock models can request functions exposed by a feature.
- Embedding models for knowledge searchRequires
Embedding options are configured on a Knowledge Base function.
- Knowledge Base connections for AIRequires
Knowledge retrieval runs as an authorised AI function.
- Algolia Search for AI knowledgeRequires
The connector runs through an enabled and authorised AI function.
- Saved responses as AI knowledgeConfigured by
The generated search function's enablement and description control its availability and guide its use by AI features.
- Knowledge sources behind AI citationsConfigured by
Knowledge Source on an AI function assigns the named source to information that function returns.
- AI execution tracing with LangfuseEnhances
Traces can include tool calls, arguments and results.
- MCP tool connections for AIRequires
The selected remote operation runs through an authorised AI function.
- Voice Autopilot connection setupConfigured by
The selected AI functions determine which call actions and custom tools the voice agent may use.
- Salesforce Models API connectionEnhances
Explicit tool emulation lets supported model responses request configured functions.
- Commerce provider setup and selectionConfigured by
A Commerce function can select a fixed provider instead of automatic routing.
- Product search and filtersConfigured by
Commerce function capabilities control AI access to catalogue search and facets.
- AI customer and order searchRequires
A Commerce function exposes the enabled search and lookup capabilities.
- AI commerce functions and access limitsRequires
Commerce is an AI Function with authorised operation execution.
FAQ and troubleshooting
Why does the AI not use a function I created?
Check Enabled, the feature's Functions selection and any skill activation conditions. Also check that the function type is supported by that feature.
Why is a function name rejected?
Use the allowed characters and length, and choose a unique name. Active functions with conflicting names also prevent a skill configuration from running correctly.
Why can I not delete or rename a system function?
INSIDE manages its identity and execution behaviour. Edit its description to guide use, or change whether the relevant feature selects it.
Does selecting a function guarantee the AI will call it?
No. Selection makes it available. Its description, the feature's instructions, the user's request and remaining execution allowance affect whether it is used.