Enable Function Calling in Mistral Agents Using Standard JSON Schema

 This updated tutorial guides developers through enabling function calling in Mistral Agents via the standard JSON Schema format Function calling allows agents to invoke external APIs or tools (like weather or flight data services) dynamically during conversation—extending their reasoning capabilities beyond text generation.

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🧩 Why Function Calling?

• Seamless tool orchestration: Enables agents to perform actions—like checking bank interest rates or flight statuses—in real time.

• Schema-driven clarity: JSON Schema ensures function inputs and outputs are well-defined and type-safe.

• Leverage MCP Orchestration: Integrates with Mistral's Model Context Protocol for complex workflows 

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🛠️ Step-by-Step Implementation

1. Define Your Function

Create a simple API wrapper, e.g.:

python
def get_european_central_bank_interest_rate(date: str) -> dict:
    # Mock implementation returning a fixed rate
    return {"date": date, "interest_rate": "2.5%"}

2. Craft the JSON Schema

Define the function parameters so the agent knows how to call it:

python
tool_def = {
  "type": "function",
  "function": {
    "name": "get_european_central_bank_interest_rate",
    "description": "Retrieve ECB interest rate",
    "parameters": {
      "type": "object",
      "properties": { "date": {"type": "string"} },
      "required": ["date"]
    }
  }
}

3. Create the Agent

Register the agent with Mistral's SDK:

python
agent = client.beta.agents.create(
  model="mistral-medium-2505",
  name="ecb-interest-rate-agent",
  description="Fetch ECB interest rate",
  tools=[tool_def],
)

The agent now recognizes the function and can decide when to invoke it during a conversation.

4. Start Conversation & Execute

Interact with the agent using a prompt like, "What's today's interest rate?"

• The agent emits a function.call event with arguments.

• You execute the function and return a function.result back to the agent.

• The agent continues based on the result.

This demo uses a mocked example, but any external API can be plugged in—flight info, weather, or tooling endpoints 

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✅ Takeaways

• JSON Schema simplifies defining callable tools.

• Agents can autonomously decide if, when, and how to call your functions.

• This pattern enhances Mistral Agents’ real-time capabilities across knowledge retrieval, action automation, and dynamic orchestration.

Anthropic Introduces Claude Web Search API: A New Era in Information Retrieval

 On May 7, 2025, Anthropic announced a significant enhancement to its Claude AI assistant: the introduction of a Web Search API. This new feature allows developers to enable Claude to access current web information, perform multiple progressive searches, and compile comprehensive answers complete with source citations. 

Revolutionizing Information Access

The integration of real-time web search positions Claude as a formidable contender in the evolving landscape of information retrieval. Unlike traditional search engines that present users with a list of links, Claude synthesizes information from various sources to provide concise, contextual answers, reducing the cognitive load on users.

This development comes at a time when traditional search engines are experiencing shifts in user behavior. For instance, Apple's senior vice president of services, Eddy Cue, testified in Google's antitrust trial that searches in Safari declined for the first time in the browser's 22-year history.

Empowering Developers

With the Web Search API, developers can augment Claude's extensive knowledge base with up-to-date, real-world data. This capability is particularly beneficial for applications requiring the latest information, such as news aggregation, market analysis, and dynamic content generation.

Anthropic's move reflects a broader trend in AI development, where real-time data access is becoming increasingly vital. By providing this feature through its API, Anthropic enables developers to build more responsive and informed AI applications.

Challenging the Status Quo

The introduction of Claude's Web Search API signifies a shift towards AI-driven information retrieval, challenging the dominance of traditional search engines. As AI assistants like Claude become more adept at providing immediate, accurate, and context-rich information, users may increasingly turn to these tools over conventional search methods.

This evolution underscores the importance of integrating real-time data capabilities into AI systems, paving the way for more intuitive and efficient information access.

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Explore Claude's Web Search API: Anthropic's Official Announcement