Lesson 2 of 10 · AI Agents and Automation That Finish Work
In this lesson. Let the model choose tools without giving it the keys to production.
What you will learn
- A minimal tool list with strict schemas
- Human confirmation for risky actions
- Denying dangerous tools in code
Walkthrough
Tools are where agents create value and where they cause damage. You will define a small tool list with tight inputs, confirm high-risk actions, and deny anything that sends money or deletes data without a human. Guardrails belong in code, not in a polite system prompt.
Work through the ideas in order. After each point, pause and connect it to a task you already do — a document, a workflow, or a feature you own. The goal of AI Agents and Automation That Finish Work is usable skill, not a pile of notes.
If something is unclear, rewrite it in your own words before you continue. Teaching the step back to yourself is the fastest way to see gaps.
Practice
List five tools for your agent. Mark which require confirmation and which are blocked.
Keep the first attempt small. A finished example you can reuse beats a perfect plan you never run.
Check your understanding
- Can you explain the goal of this lesson in one sentence to a teammate?
- Where would you apply “A minimal tool list with strict schemas” in your own work this week?
- What would you change on a second pass of the practice?
Next. Continue to the following lesson when the practice has a real artifact, even a rough one.