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AI AGENT ECOSYSTEMMarch 202611 min read

Building Tools for AI Agents: What Developers Need to Know

AI agents are only as powerful as their tools. If you are building an AI product that needs local business data, here is how to connect to the ACN and design tools that agents can use effectively.

KEY TAKEAWAYS
—MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the emerging standard for AI agent tool-calling
—The ACN MCP server exposes five tools: query, get, facts, qa, and verify
—Developers can also use the REST API for custom integrations without MCP
—Tool design for AI agents follows specific patterns: typed inputs, structured outputs, clear error states

Connecting to the ACN

Option 1: MCP Server

The ACN exposes an MCP server that any compatible AI platform can connect to as a tool. The server provides five operations:

  • query — Search businesses by text query and location filters
  • get — Retrieve a specific content object by ID or slug
  • facts — Get citable facts for a specific business
  • qa — Retrieve Q&A pairs (pre-built answers to common questions)
  • verify — Check the provenance chain and verification status

Option 2: REST API

Standard HTTP endpoints at https://wordofclout.ai/api/acn/v1/. JSON request/response. See the complete API reference for endpoints, parameters, and authentication.

Designing Tools AI Agents Use Well

Building tools for AI agents is different from building APIs for humans. Key principles:

  • Typed inputs — Define exact parameter types (string, number, enum). AI agents perform better with constrained inputs than free-form text.
  • Structured outputs — Return typed JSON, not HTML or markdown. AI agents parse structured data more reliably.
  • Clear error states — Return specific error codes and messages. Vague errors cause AI agents to retry or hallucinate alternatives.
  • Descriptive tool names — AI agents select tools based on name and description. "search_local_businesses" is better than "query_v2".
  • Minimal round trips — Return complete data in one call. AI agents handle one comprehensive response better than multi-step workflows.

Start building

Read the complete ACN API documentation with examples, authentication, and query optimization guides.

API Documentation →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What programming languages are supported?
Any language that makes HTTP requests (REST API) or implements MCP client protocol. Node.js, Python, Go, Rust all work.
Is there an SDK?
The REST API works with standard HTTP libraries. MCP connection uses the open MCP protocol specification. Language-specific SDKs are on the roadmap.
Can I build a vertical AI agent on top of the ACN?
Yes. The ACN provides the data layer. You build the agent logic, user interface, and vertical-specific features on top.
Is there rate limiting?
Search: 100 req/min. Publisher endpoints: 10 req/min. Content updates: 30 req/min. Contact us for higher limits.

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