# Connections Overview (Reference: https://docs.iqra.bot/build/tools)

To be useful, an Agent must be connected to the world. This section manages the **"External Interface"** of your workspace—the pipes that let data and audio flow in and out.

The Connectivity Stack [#the-connectivity-stack]

It is important to understand the relationship between these three modules:

1. **Integrations:** The **Keys**. (e.g., Your Twilio Account credentials).
2. **Phone Numbers:** The **Assets**. (e.g., The specific +1 number purchased from Twilio).
3. **Custom Tools:** The **Actions**. (e.g., A webhook to update your CRM).

Architecture Flow [#architecture-flow]

<Mermaid
  chart="graph LR
    subgraph Infrastructure
        Twilio[Twilio Integration]
        OpenAI[OpenAI Integration]
    end

    subgraph Assets
        Number[Phone Number]
    end

    subgraph Runtime
        Agent[Agent Brain]
    end

    subgraph External_World
        CRM[Your CRM]
    end

    %% Flow
    Twilio -->|Provisions| Number
    Number -->|Routes Calls to| Agent
    OpenAI -->|Powers| Agent
    
    Agent -->|Executes| Tool[Custom Tool]
    Tool -->|HTTP Request| CRM
    
    style Agent fill:#2563eb,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
    style Number fill:#16a34a,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff
    style Tool fill:#f59e0b,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px,color:#fff"
/>

***

Workspace Modules [#workspace-modules]

<Cards>
  <Card icon={<Plug />} title="Integrations" href="/build/tools/integrations">
    **The Key Vault.** Connect third-party providers.

    * **AI:** LLM, TTS, STT keys.
    * **Telephony:** Twilio, Telnyx, SIP credentials.
  </Card>

  <Card icon={<Phone />} title="Phone Numbers" href="/build/tools/phone-numbers">
    **The Lines.** Manage your **BYOC (Bring Your Own Carrier)** numbers.

    * **Region Control:** Assign numbers to specific server regions for low latency.
    * **Webhooks:** Configure carrier routing.
  </Card>

  <Card icon={<Hammer />} title="Custom Tools" href="/build/tools/custom-tools">
    **The Hands.** Build raw HTTP webhooks to connect your agent to internal APIs.

    * Define **Input Schemas** (what variables to send).
    * Write **JavaScript** to parse the response into natural language.
  </Card>
</Cards>