Create a tool from Subflow

  • Release version: Australia
  • Updated May 29, 2026
  • 1 minute to read
  • Create a tool from Subflow to expose it to Model Context (MCP) clients from an MCP Server. Subflows and actions empower agents to complete tasks seamlessly —from submitting requests to routing for approval and confirming outcomes across workflows, without leaving the client interface.

    Before you begin

    Role required: sn_mcp_server.tools_admin, sn_mcp_server.admin, or admin

    Perform these steps before creating a tool:
    1. Create a subflow in Flow Designer using supported input and output data types. See Create a subflow in Workflow Studio to learn more.
    2. Establish the requisite AI Access Control List (ACL) to facilitate external invocation of the component. See Create AI ACL to learn more.
    3. Confirm the compatibility status in the staging table. See Check compatibility of Subflow or Action to learn more.
    4. Register the component as a tool within the MCP Server.

    Procedure

    1. Select Subflow from these categories.
      Tool creation
    2. On the form, fill in the fields.
      Create tool from Subflow
      Note:
      The category is auto-populated if selected in the last modal.
      Table 1. Tool form
      Field Description
      Subflow Select a Subflow type from the list.
      Label An internal name for the tool.
      Description
      The description of what the tool intends to do. This input is exposed to AI clients and used to determine when to call this tool.
      Note:
      Admins must add specific and action-oriented description as the AI clients access it to decide when to invoke the tool.
      MCP Servers One or more servers you want to add your tool to.
      In the Tool inputs section, add the fields associated with the capability. See Create a tool for a Model Context Protocol server to learn more. The tool is now published on MCP Server and discoverable by MCP clients.

    What to do next

    Invoke the tool via Claude or an alternative MCP client and verify that it functions as intended with the tool you registered. Launch MCP client to test end-to-end execution.