Experiments That Failed: Too Many Tools

Adding more tools initially felt like increasing system capability. File system, database, API client, image generator, code executor—each new tool expanded what agents could do. More power, more flexibility.

In reality it increased complexity. Each tool adds new edge cases: What if the file doesn't exist? What if the API is down? Each tool adds new dependencies: auth, config, rate limits. Each tool adds new failure modes. The agent has to choose among many options, and choice creates room for error.

We eventually learned that fewer tools lead to more stable systems. Give agents what they need, not everything they might want. Simplicity wins.