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

# Tools, Apps, and Libraries

> Reuse workflows as nodes, share them as public apps, and organise them in libraries

Any workflow in Runchat, even just a few nodes, can be turned into a reusable building block. There are two destinations and they solve different problems.

| You want to...                                                                                         | Publish as... |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------- |
| Reuse your workflow inside other workflows, or give an [agent](/concepts/agents/chat) a new capability | A **Tool**    |
| Share your workflow with someone who doesn't use Runchat (a client, a teammate)                        | An **App**    |

Same workflow, two destinations, no extra work. Most useful workflows end up as both.

<iframe width="100%" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UqKrybXFvPw" title="Publishing Tools and Apps: end-to-end walkthrough" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen />

## Tools

A Tool is a reusable node that lives inside Runchat, alongside Agent, Create, and Code. Once published, you can drag it into any other workflow and use it as a single node, even though a whole mini workflow is running underneath.

The key thing about Tools is that they compound. A Tool you publish today becomes part of a bigger workflow tomorrow. That bigger workflow can itself become a Tool. Over time you end up with a library of capabilities specific to how you work.

Your own published Tools are also available to the [chat agent](/concepts/agents/chat). If the description is good, the agent will reach for them on its own when relevant.

For step-by-step publishing, see [Publishing Tools](/concepts/publishing/custom-nodes). For how agents call them, see [Agent Tools](/concepts/publishing/agent-tools).

## Apps

Tools are for people who use Runchat. Apps are for everyone else.

An App is a published web page with its own custom interface — built for you by the agent as HTML — that runs your published Tools behind the scenes. You can share the URL with anyone, embed the App in a Notion page, or use it as the front-end for a workflow you sell or distribute. Visitors sign in with their own Runchat account and spend their own credits, so you don't pay for other people's runs.

For full details, see [Apps](/concepts/publishing/app-view).

## Libraries

Libraries are folders of Tools that you've installed into your editor. Once a folder is installed:

* Tools in it appear in the node picker
* The chat agent can use them on your behalf
* Your team gets the same access if the library is shared

To install a library, right-click a folder in the Workflows panel and choose **Add to Nodes**. The folder turns blue. Any workflow in that folder is now available everywhere.

To uninstall, right-click again and choose **Remove from Nodes**.

## Next steps

* [Publishing Tools](/concepts/publishing/custom-nodes): step-by-step guide to publishing a workflow as a Tool
* [Agent Tools](/concepts/publishing/agent-tools): how the chat agent decides when to call a Tool
* [Apps](/concepts/publishing/app-view): publish a web app backed by your workflows