MCP & Tool Protocols
Tool error
A failure response returned when a tool cannot complete the requested action.
Example
A failed CRM lookup returns a structured tool error the assistant can handle.
Why it matters
It helps people and software choose between retrying, correcting details and stopping.
You'll hear it
“Did the error happen before or after the record changed?”
Can you control it?
Set by the team
The people building or running the AI choose this setup. An everyday user generally needs their help to change how this part works.
Common questions
- Does an error always mean the tool is broken?
- No. Missing access or unsuitable request details can also cause failure.
- Can the same request work later?
- Yes. Temporary outages or capacity problems may clear.
- Should an AI hide the error and guess the result?
- No. Guessing can turn a visible failure into a misleading claim of success.