Creating Tools

Create a reusable tool from the Tools page by describing the workflow in a conversation.

Start the Creator

  1. Open Tools from the main command bar.
  2. Select + New Tool.
  3. Describe what you want the tool to do.

Build with Codex opens a separate builder. It needs a compatible Codex CLI installed on this computer; use Sign in to Codex in that builder if needed. The builder does not depend on the separate desktop integration setting.

The Project | Global switch does not set a creation scope. It only changes which deployments are displayed.

Useful details to include:

  • What documents, folders, or other input the tool will receive.
  • The result you expect.
  • The required output format and destination.
  • Any connected service and target.
  • Whether the tool may pause for approval.
  • Anything the result must include or exclude.

Answer Follow-Up Questions

If the creator needs more detail, it asks questions. Answer them until it has enough information to propose the workflow.

Review the Proposal

The proposal shows the tool's name, description, steps, and capabilities.

Review it before approving. Nothing is created until you approve the proposal.

After Approval

ThinkForge validates the proposed workflow, creates the reusable tool, and adds it to the Tool Library.

Creating a tool does not automatically place it on the Tools page, Ribbon, Power Strip, or a project folder.

To use the new tool on the Tools page:

  1. Close the creator when you are finished.
  2. Select Add from Library.
  3. Choose the new tool.
  4. Select it and confirm the deployment to the open project.

You can then configure its documents, output folder, settings, AI model, and triggers.

Settings After Creation

Settings opened on the reusable tool provide defaults for future deployments. Tool settings opened from a selected deployment changes only that deployment.

The Settings dialog can include:

  • Name and description.
  • Autonomous or guided execution.
  • Whether several files are combined or processed separately.
  • Instructions.
  • Options required by the tool's skills.

The Settings dialog cannot edit the saved step sequence. Create another tool if the workflow itself must change.

Current Limits

The creator cannot currently:

  • Use capabilities that are not offered in the creator.
  • Create conditional branches or arbitrary loops inside a tool.
  • Make one tool call another tool as a step.
  • Create browser-automation steps.
  • Expose the created tool through ThinkForge MCP.

Use an automation when several Tools need to work together. Automations support rules for choosing a path, merging paths, and running a Tool for each item in a list. See Automations Overview.