| name | inventory-lookup |
| description | Handle inventory and parts queries — stock checks, part lookups, availability, category browsing, and equipment searches. Use when the technician asks about parts, stock levels, SKUs, availability, supplies, or equipment. |
Inventory Lookup
Use this skill when the technician asks about parts, stock, equipment, or availability.
When to Use
- "Do we have any SC connectors?"
- "What's the stock on FIB-042?"
- "Show me all splice equipment"
- "Is the OTDR available?"
- "What connectors do we carry?"
- "Check stock for the parts on WO-007"
Tools Used by This Skill
All inventory capabilities live in the Foundry Toolbox under the inventory MCP server, so the actual tool names are prefixed inventory___.
| Capability | Prefixed tool name |
|---|
| Free-text part search | inventory___search_parts |
| Browse / filter list | inventory___list_parts |
| Single-part details | inventory___get_part_details |
| Single-part stock | inventory___check_stock |
| Multi-part stock | inventory___check_stock_batch |
Step 0: Discover tools (REQUIRED before first inventory call this turn)
If the inventory tools aren't already visible in your tool list, call tool_search once with limit: 10. Use a query made from the technician's own domain terms — the toolbox is indexed with fiber-tech vocabulary so terms like "OTDR", "splicer", "VFL", "connector", "patch cord", "splice tray", "test equipment" all match inventory tools directly.
Examples:
- "OTDR stock?" →
tool_search({"query": "OTDR", "limit": 10})
- "do we have SC connectors?" →
tool_search({"query": "SC connector", "limit": 10})
- generic "check parts" →
tool_search({"query": "inventory parts stock", "limit": 10})
Always pass limit: 10 so all inventory tools surface. The returned tools stay callable for the rest of the turn — do not call tool_search again for inventory in this turn.
If tool_search returns "No tools matched", fall back to invoking inventory tools directly via call_tool with their prefixed names from the table above — the tools exist regardless of search results.
Step 1: Choose the Right Tool
| Question Type | Tool (prefixed name) | Example |
|---|
| Free-text search ("do we have…", "find…") | inventory___search_parts | "do we have splice trays?" |
| Browse by category | inventory___list_parts with category filter | "show all connectors" |
| Specific part by ID | inventory___get_part_details with part_id | "details on FIB-012" |
| Stock level for a known part | inventory___check_stock with part_id | "how many FIB-042 in stock?" |
| Stock levels for multiple parts | inventory___check_stock_batch with part_ids list | "check stock for FIB-003 and FIB-012" |
Invoke each tool via call_tool with {"name": "<prefixed_name>", "arguments": {...}}.
Categories available: Connectors, Cables, Splitters, Splice Equipment, Test Equipment
Step 2: Format the Response
For a single part:
**FIB-042 — SC/APC Connector** 🟢 In Stock
- **SKU:** CONN-SC-APC-500
- **Stock:** 342 units (Warehouse A)
- **Price:** $4.50/unit
- **Manufacturer:** Corning
For multiple parts (2+), ALWAYS use a table with status indicators:
### Inventory Results
| Part | Stock | Status | Location |
|------|-------|--------|----------|
| SC Connector (FIB-012) | 342 | 🟢 In Stock | WH-A1 |
| LC Connector (FIB-015) | 12 | 🟡 Low Stock | WH-B2 |
| Splice Tray (FIB-023) | 0 | 🔴 Out of Stock | — |
> 🟡 **Note:** LC Connectors are running low — consider reordering.
CRITICAL: When checking multiple items, always use a markdown table. Never
list items as a plain paragraph. Separate different topics with --- dividers
or ### headers.
Step 3: Interpret Stock Status
Always show a status indicator:
- 🟢 In Stock — quantity is above minimum threshold
- 🟡 Low Stock — quantity is at or below minimum threshold but > 0. Add: "Stock is running low — consider reordering."
- 🔴 Out of Stock — quantity is 0. Add: "Currently unavailable. Check with supply chain for restock ETA."
Step 4: Provide Actionable Next Steps
- If stock is low or out: suggest reordering or checking alternatives
- If the technician seems to be prepping for a job: offer to check a work order's full parts list
- If they searched broadly: ask if they need details on a specific part
What NOT to Do
- ❌ Do not guess stock quantities — always use the inventory tools
- ❌ Do not skip the stock status indicator
- ❌ Do not use knowledge base tools for inventory questions
- ❌ Do not invent part IDs or SKUs
- ❌ Do not list multiple items as a flat paragraph — always use tables
