Task Bundle | Patterns for Agentic Tools

arcade.dev/patterns

Context

Multi-step operations that are commonly done together.

Problem

Requiring multiple tool calls for common workflows increases errors and latency.

Solution

Bundle related operations:
- Identify common sequences: search → select → act
- Combine into one: dm_user(name, message)
- Handle intermediate errors: Graceful failure
- Return composite result: All steps' outcomes

Examples

Python

@tool
def dm_user(
    user_name: str,
    message: str
) -> DMResult:
    """Send a direct message to a user by name.
    
    This tool:
    1. Searches for the user
    2. Opens/finds a DM conversation
    3. Sends the message
    
    Use this instead of calling search_users + open_dm + send_message.
    """
    user = search_users(user_name)
    if not user:
        return DMResult(error="User not found", suggestions=fuzzy_matches(user_name))
    conv = get_or_create_dm(user.id)
    return send_message(conv.id, message)

Considerations

Name bundles after the task, not the steps
Handle partial failures gracefully
Still expose individual tools for edge cases

Related Patterns

More in Tool Composition

Abstraction Ladder

Provide tools at multiple levels of granularity for the same capability.

Batch Operation

Process multiple items in a single tool call.

Operation Mode

Provide different modes for different access patterns.

LLM-Optimized View

# Task Bundle

Combine multiple operations into a single tool.

## Category
Tool Composition

## Context
Multi-step operations that are commonly done together.

## Problem
Requiring multiple tool calls for common workflows increases errors and latency.

## Solution
Bundle related operations:
- **Identify common sequences**: search → select → act
- **Combine into one**: dm_user(name, message)
- **Handle intermediate errors**: Graceful failure
- **Return composite result**: All steps' outcomes

## Example (Python)
```python
@tool
def dm_user(
    user_name: str,
    message: str
) -> DMResult:
    """Send a direct message to a user by name.
    
    This tool:
    1. Searches for the user
    2. Opens/finds a DM conversation
    3. Sends the message
    
    Use this instead of calling search_users + open_dm + send_message.
    """
    user = search_users(user_name)
    if not user:
        return DMResult(error="User not found", suggestions=fuzzy_matches(user_name))
    conv = get_or_create_dm(user.id)
    return send_message(conv.id, message)
```

## Considerations
- Name bundles after the task, not the steps
- Handle partial failures gracefully
- Still expose individual tools for edge cases

## Related Patterns
- abstraction-ladder
- tool-chain
- natural-identifier

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Source: https://arcade.dev/patterns/task-bundle