> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs-v1.agno.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# External Tool Execution

> This example demonstrates how to execute tool calls outside of the agent's control, allowing for custom execution logic and security measures.

## Code

```python cookbook/agent_concepts/user_control_flows/external_tool_execution.py theme={null}
import subprocess

from agno.agent import Agent
from agno.models.openai import OpenAIChat
from agno.tools import tool
from agno.utils import pprint

@tool(external_execution=True)
def execute_shell_command(command: str) -> str:
    """Execute a shell command.

    Args:
        command (str): The shell command to execute

    Returns:
        str: The output of the shell command
    """
    if command.startswith("ls"):
        return subprocess.check_output(command, shell=True).decode("utf-8")
    else:
        raise Exception(f"Unsupported command: {command}")

agent = Agent(
    model=OpenAIChat(id="gpt-4o-mini"),
    tools=[execute_shell_command],
    markdown=True,
)

run_response = agent.run("What files do I have in my current directory?")
if run_response.is_paused:
    for tool in run_response.tools_awaiting_external_execution:
        if tool.tool_name == execute_shell_command.name:
            print(f"Executing {tool.tool_name} with args {tool.tool_args} externally")
            # We execute the tool ourselves. You can also execute something completely external here.
            result = execute_shell_command.entrypoint(**tool.tool_args)
            # We have to set the result on the tool execution object so that the agent can continue
            tool.result = result

    run_response = agent.continue_run()
    pprint.pprint_run_response(run_response)
```

## Usage

<Steps>
  <Snippet file="create-venv-step.mdx" />

  <Step title="Set your API key">
    ```bash theme={null}
    export OPENAI_API_KEY=xxx
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install libraries">
    ```bash theme={null}
    pip install -U agno openai
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run Example">
    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Mac theme={null}
      python cookbook/agent_concepts/user_control_flows/external_tool_execution.py
      ```

      ```bash Windows theme={null}
      python cookbook/agent_concepts/user_control_flows/external_tool_execution.py
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Key Features

* Uses `@tool(external_execution=True)` to mark tools that need external execution
* Demonstrates how to handle tool execution results

## Use Cases

* Executing sensitive operations outside agent control
* Executing long-running operations outside agent control