> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.echeloncrm.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# AI Coding Agent: Build Internal Tools with Plain Language

> Learn how the Echelon AI Coding Agent turns plain language descriptions into working internal tools and API connections — no technical background required.

The Echelon AI Coding Agent lets you build internal tools and API integrations by describing what you need in plain language. You don't write code, configure endpoints, or manage infrastructure — you tell the agent what you want it to build, and it handles the construction. This makes it possible for anyone on your team to extend Echelon's capabilities to fit how your business actually works.

## What the AI Coding Agent builds

The AI Coding Agent can create two broad categories of tools:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API connections" icon="plug">
    Connect Echelon to external services — payment processors, scheduling tools, data sources, or any platform with an accessible API.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Internal automations" icon="gears">
    Build tools that automate internal workflows: data lookups, report generation, status syncs, and custom business logic.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

The tools you build become part of your Echelon environment and can be used by your AI Employees and triggered by the AI Manager as part of your pipelines.

## How to interact with the AI Coding Agent

Working with the AI Coding Agent follows a straightforward pattern: you describe the outcome, and the agent builds toward it.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Describe what you need">
    Use plain language to explain the tool or connection you want. Focus on the outcome: what data should move, what should trigger the action, and what the result should look like.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review what the agent proposes">
    The agent outlines what it will build before proceeding. Review the scope to confirm it matches your intent.
  </Step>

  <Step title="The agent builds the tool">
    Once you approve, the agent constructs the tool and makes it available in your Echelon workspace.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test and iterate">
    Use the tool in your workflow. If it needs adjustment, describe the change and the agent updates it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  For your first tool, start with something narrow and well-defined — for example, "pull the latest invoice status for a contact from our billing system." A focused first request helps you learn how the agent interprets your descriptions before tackling more complex builds.
</Tip>

## Custom Tool limits by plan

The number of Custom Tools you can create depends on your plan.

| Plan    | Custom Tools |
| ------- | ------------ |
| Starter | 3            |
| Growth  | 7            |
| Scale   | 15           |

<Info>
  Custom Tools are persistent — once built, they remain in your workspace and count toward your plan limit. If you're on Starter or Growth and approaching your limit, audit which tools are actively used before building new ones.
</Info>

## Custom Tool-Building Sessions on Scale

Scale plan subscribers have access to Custom Tool-Building Sessions — dedicated working sessions with the AI Coding Agent focused on designing and shipping more complex or interconnected tools. Use these sessions when you're building something that spans multiple systems or requires iteration to get right.

<Note>
  Custom Tool-Building Sessions are included on the **Scale plan only**. On Starter and Growth plans, you interact with the AI Coding Agent directly within your workspace without dedicated session support.
</Note>

## What you can build: example scenarios

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Connect your payment processor" icon="credit-card">
    Describe the connection you need: "When a deal moves to Closed Won in my pipeline, create an invoice in our billing system and send it to the contact." The AI Coding Agent builds the bridge between Echelon and your billing platform.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Automate data lookups" icon="database">
    Build a tool that pulls enrichment data for new contacts automatically — company size, industry, or recent activity — so your AI Employees have richer context when they reach out.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Create a status sync" icon="arrows-rotate">
    Keep a shared team dashboard or external project tracker in sync with deal stages in your Echelon pipeline, without anyone manually updating both systems.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Build a custom report" icon="chart-bar">
    Generate a weekly summary from your pipeline data in a format tailored to your stakeholders — delivered automatically without exporting spreadsheets.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Manager" icon="brain" href="/concepts/ai-manager">
    See how the AI Manager can trigger your custom tools as part of automated workflows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Employees" icon="users" href="/concepts/ai-employees">
    Learn how AI Employees can use custom tools to extend what they can do for you.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>