DigitalOcean has launched Server-Side Tools in Public Preview for its Inference Engine. These tools allow AI models to access web search, web fetch (powered by Exa), DigitalOcean Knowledge Bases, and MCP servers directly within a single inference request. Anthropic and OpenAI tool conventions (function calling, bash, computer use, etc.) are also supported natively, so existing tool definitions work without rewriting application logic. A Web Mode option enables web access via the model URL for agent frameworks that don't expose tool configuration. No separate infrastructure or new credentials are required — tools are activated using an existing DigitalOcean Model Access Key.
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Bring Real-Time Information Into Your AI ApplicationsGround Responses in Your Own DataSupport for Anthropic and OpenAI ToolsUse Your Existing Agent Tooling Without ChangesHow to Access Server-Side Tools124 Impressions