Function Call in AI Agent

Denys_Yudin · March 13, 2025, 2:40pm

Hello,
I am trying to implement OpenAI Function Call in N8N.
There is OpenAI Functions Agents in N8N, but I am not sure how to use it?
What is different it from AI tool Agent.
How to define function?

ria · March 13, 2025, 2:49pm

Hi @Denys_Yudin

We’re currently simplifying the use of our AI Agent and if you’re using a newer version of n8n you will notice that we only have one Agent to chose, that is basically set up to do function calling using n8n nodes as tools.

github.com/n8n-io/n8n

feat(core): Make Tools Agent the default Agent type, deprecate other agent types

master ← ado-2779-feature-agent-node-get-rid-of-type-drop-down

opened 08:46AM - 24 Feb 25 UTC

Cadiac

+44 -4

## Summary Users have found the Agent type selection to be confusing, and in …vast majority of the cases `Tools Agent` is the only recommended Agent type to use. To simplify the usage of this very popular node other Agent types are going to be deprecated, and on new version 1.8 `Agent` nodes the dropdown selection for Agent type is no longer displayed, and `toolsAgent` is used by default. <img width="605" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e99ad463-cc32-4d7f-ac38-9cb8c9fd32ad" /> On old Agent node's a deprecation warning is shown. <img width="616" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7faffd6c-57df-43a7-9298-5f6f3ae847da" /> Also added `maxIterations` options on all Agent node types on pre-1.8 `Agent` nodes, this was missing from `ReAct`, `PlanAndExecute` and `SqlAgent`. <img width="587" alt="image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9785666b-4938-42bf-b341-56a99e27ea8e" /> ## Related Linear tickets, Github issues, and Community forum posts https://linear.app/n8n/issue/ADO-2779/feature-agent-node-get-rid-of-type-drop-down ## Review / Merge checklist - [x] PR title and summary are descriptive. ([conventions](../blob/master/.github/pull_request_title_conventions.md)) - [x] [Docs updated](https://github.com/n8n-io/n8n-docs) or follow-up ticket created. - [x] Tests included. - [ ] PR Labeled with `release/backport` (if the PR is an urgent fix that needs to be backported)

Denys_Yudin · March 13, 2025, 3:08pm

Hi @ria
Sorry.
I am not sure what you mean…
You said, set up Agent to do function calling using N8N nodes as tools.
It mean when I connect N8N nodes with Agent, they will call tools?
What is different it from AI tools Agent?

ria · March 13, 2025, 3:34pm

“function calling” is a more general term in the whole AI space. In n8n we are using this principle under the hood with a more enhanced implementation by allowing users to add our nodes as tools that can then be called by the agent.

I wouldn’t worry so much about the actual definitions, what matters is that you can just

Martin_Kruusimagi · March 14, 2025, 9:43am

Yes, you just need to click on the + under tools and add what you want the agent to use. Please make sure to give clear descriptors of the tools in their configuration so the agent understands what they do. And also clear instructions to the agent about what you expect from it.