# Add a Tool via File Upload

Rather than building a tool field by field, you can supply its entire configuration as a JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) file and let Cloud Voice create the tool from it. This is the fastest way to reuse a tool you already have or to bring in one of the ready-made examples.

## Before you begin

Have a JSON file ready that holds the full configuration of the tool you want to create. Keep the following in mind:

- The file cannot be larger than 1 MB.
- There are two easy ways to get a valid file:
  - [Export an existing tool](/pbx/ai-guide/manage-tools/#manage-tools__section_kx1_3gg_ljc) from your system and reuse its file.
  - Take the configuration from one of the [demo tools](/pbx/ai-guide/demo-tools/) and save it with a `.json` extension, or download the demo file directly.
- Every upload is checked automatically. Confirm the file is well-formed and that the tool name does not already exist, or the upload will be rejected.

:::note
The tool name must be unique. Cloud Voice validates both the format and the name of each file as it is uploaded.
:::

## Upload the file

1. Sign in to the PBX (Private Branch Exchange) web portal and go to **AI > AI Receptionist > Tools**.
2. Click **Upload**.

   ![The Tools page with the Upload button used to import a tool configuration file](/images/pbx/custom-tool-upload.png)

3. Choose the JSON file on your computer and click **Open**.

:::tip
You can select as many as 10 JSON files in a single upload.
:::

## Result

Cloud Voice reads each file, builds the corresponding tool, and adds it to the Tools list. Once the upload succeeds, the new tools appear there ready to use.

## Next steps

Put the tool to work: [assign it to an AI receptionist](/pbx/ai-guide/manage-skills-for-an-ai-receptionist/#manage-skills-for-an-ai-receptionist__section_tools), then [try it out in a test conversation](/pbx/ai-guide/test-an-ai-receptionist/#test-an-ai-receptionist__section_trf_xmx_k3c).