> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.goassay.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.goassay.ai/use-tools/everyday-use/find-tools.md).
# Find tools
Find a tool or a public tool set for your next task.
Search the web catalogue or ask your connected AI app to find an Assay tool. Check what it does and what it costs before asking the AI to call it.
## Steps
{% tabs %}
{% tab title="On the web" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Search Explore
Open **Explore → Tools**. Use **Search tools** to search by name or what the tool does. The summary beside the search shows what your agent may use.
Search by name or task.
You can also browse the public catalogue without signing in. Its tool pages show descriptions, prices, free tiers and the providers that serve each tool. Public provider pages show that provider's tools and quality information.
Browse the public catalogue.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Open a tool
Open the tool's row. Read its description, price and provider details. A **free tier** is a number of free calls per day before paid calls begin. **Unavailable** means the tool cannot serve a call now.
**Use this tool** opens **Connect** with that tool selected. If your app already connects to **Everything**, you can ask it to use the tool through that connection. For a separate connection limited to this tool, follow [Connect your AI app](/use-tools/get-started/connect-your-ai-app.md).
Read the tool before connecting.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Look for a ready-made tool set
Open **Explore → Tool sets**, or the public catalogue's **Tool sets** tab when it is available. A tool set is a group of tools offered through one server. Search by its name, topic or tools, then open it.
Search ready-made tool sets.
Read **Before you connect** for prices, unavailable tools, missing backup providers and review warnings. **Use this tool set** opens its connection instructions. The connection is locked to the published version shown; you choose when to update it. Use [Connect your AI app](/use-tools/get-started/connect-your-ai-app.md) if you need help adding that connection.
Check the connection details.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}
{% tab title="In your AI app" %}
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
### Describe the task
Ask your connected AI app:
> Search Assay for tools that can do my task. Show me what each does, its price and any free tier. Don't call a paid tool yet.
Replace “my task” with what you need. Assay's **search\_tools** finds tools and **get\_tool** reads their details; both are free. On smaller connections, the AI may already see the available tools directly.
{% endstep %}
{% step %}
### Choose a tool
Ask the AI to use the tool you chose, with the inputs it needs. Search is limited to the tools this connection and agent may use. A tool visible in the public catalogue may be outside that scope.
For paid tools, your app still needs the funds and permission described in [Add funds](/use-tools/get-started/add-funds.md) and [Turn on paid calls](/use-tools/get-started/turn-on-paid-calls.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}
## Check it worked
You have a tool name, a description that fits your task and a price or free tier. If you asked for a call, the AI returned a tool result, not just a search result.
## If something goes wrong
| You see | Do this |
| ---------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| No search matches | Try a short description of the action you need, or the tool's name. |
| **Unavailable** or nobody serves the tool | Choose another available tool. |
| The web shows a tool but the AI cannot find it | Check the connection's tool selection and the selected agent's access. Use **Everything** if you need the broader catalogue and your agent is allowed to use it. |
| A hosted connector cannot call a paid tool | Choose a free tool, or use a local app as described in [Connect your AI app](/use-tools/get-started/connect-your-ai-app.md). |
Creating and sharing your own tool sets is a separate advanced task.
## Next
* [Check your spending](/use-tools/everyday-use/check-your-spending.md)
---
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