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File tools let an Agent find files, search inside them, read them, and edit them. Point the Agent at a folder or a file and ask in plain words; it picks the right tool and shows you what it used.

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Before you start

  • Working folder: an Agent’s Working Folder, in the Definition part of its settings, is where relative paths start.
  • Approvals: the Permissions chip in the chat decides when the Agent asks first. With Ask for approval, it asks before it edits files outside the working folder. Reading and searching never ask. See Approve actions.

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Start with a read-only task

  1. In the Agent’s settings, check its file tools and its Working Folder.
  2. In the chat, name a folder or attach the file you want to use.
  3. Ask a bounded question, such as “Find Markdown files in this project and summarize the README.”
  4. Look at the files and tool output the Agent used before you ask it to change anything.

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What each tool does

Write File can overwrite an existing file without warning. Keep a copy or use version control for important documents, and check the destination and the change before you approve it. The files an Agent changes in a chat are listed in the side panel’s Changes tab, with Undo.

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Documents and media

Reading a PDF, an Office document, an image, an audio file, or a video can run parsing, OCR, or transcription instead of returning raw bytes. For audio and video, the Agent reads the transcript. Which formats work depends on the installed tools and the providers you set up. See OCR, Transcription, and Knowledge Base.

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Troubleshooting

Code Runner

Run code and shell commands. File tools inspect and edit without a shell.

Agents

Set an Agent’s tools and when it asks first.

OCR

Read the text in images and scans.

Knowledge Base

Search your own documents.