# Use Metorial Explorer
URL: https://metorial.com/docs/platform/integrations/use-metorial-explorer

Connect a provider and test its tools in Metorial Explorer.

---

Metorial Explorer lets you review and call a provider's tools from the dashboard before you add them to a workflow. In this guide, you will connect a provider, open the manual tool interface, and make a safe test call.

<PageIntro>
  <Learn>
    * How to connect a provider to Metorial Explorer
    * How to review a provider's available tools
    * How to call a tool manually and check its result
  </Learn>

  <Reading title="Before you start">
    * Choose the provider you want to test
    * Make sure you have any authentication details the provider requires
    * Start with a read-only tool when possible
  </Reading>
</PageIntro>

## Connect a provider and call a tool [#connect-a-provider-and-call-a-tool]

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Explorer">
    In the Metorial dashboard, select **Explorer** in the left navigation. Explorer opens with a list of providers.

        <img alt="Explorer showing the provider list" src="__img0" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select a provider">
    Select the provider you want to test. The connection page shows any setup required before you can open Explorer.

        <img alt="Provider connection page" src="__img1" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Complete the connection settings">
    Choose an existing authentication configuration if the provider requires one. To connect a different account, use the login option instead.

        <img alt="Provider connection page with an authentication configuration selected" src="__img2" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Manual Tool Calls">
    Select the arrow next to **Open Explorer**, then select **Manual Tool Calls**. This mode lets you review the provider's tools and call them directly.

        <img alt="Open Explorer menu with Manual Tool Calls selected" src="__img3" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a tool">
    Find a tool in the list and open it. Read its description and instructions, then review any required inputs. Start with a read-only tool when you are testing a new connection.

        <img alt="A read-only tool ready to run" src="__img4" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Call the tool">
    Enter any required inputs, then select **Call Tool**. Review the result to confirm that the provider is connected and the tool returned the expected information.

        <img alt="Result from a tool call" src="__img5" />
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next steps [#next-steps]

Use the tool list to explore other tools from the same provider. Before you call a tool that changes data, review its instructions and inputs so you understand what it will do.