Control which tools Dash can use

Every tool Dash has access to can be individually controlled. You decide which tools run automatically, which require approval, and which are blocked entirely. You can also choose who approves each tool’s actions.

Run modes

Each tool on a connection has a run mode that determines what happens when Dash tries to use it:

• Auto — Dash uses the tool without asking. This is the default for read operations (pulling data, listing records, searching).
• Ask — Dash pauses and posts an approval card before running the tool. This is the default for write operations (creating, updating, deleting, sending).
• Off — the tool is blocked. Dash cannot use it at all, even if someone asks.

The defaults are conservative: reads auto, writes ask. You can tighten them (set a read tool to ask, or turn off a write tool) but you cannot loosen the floor. A write tool always requires at least the access level its connection allows.

Change a tool’s run mode

1. Go to app.dashpup.ai and open the Tools page.
2. Click the connection that owns the tool (for example, HubSpot).
3. Find the tool in the list. Each one shows its current run mode.
4. Click the run mode and pick Auto, Ask, or Off.

The change takes effect immediately for every member who uses that connection.

You can also ask Dash in Slack or Teams:

@Dash set the HubSpot create-contact tool to ask for approval

This works for switching a tool to Ask or Off. Setting a tool to Auto requires the Tools page or the Always approve this tool button on an approval card.

Assign approvers

By default, the person who asked Dash to do something is the one who approves it. You can change this so that specific people are the designated approvers for a tool:

1. On the Tools page, click a connection and find the tool.
2. Click Approvers next to the tool.
3. Add the people who should approve actions from this tool.

When approvers are set, only those people can approve or deny the action. The person who asked Dash still sees the approval card, but the buttons only work for the designated approvers.

This is useful when a junior team member can ask Dash to do something, but a manager or admin needs to sign off.

Common patterns

• “Dash should never post on social.” Set all social-posting tools to Off.
• “Dash can read HubSpot freely but must ask before writing.” Leave reads on Auto, keep writes on Ask (the default).
• “Only our ops lead can approve Stripe refunds.” Set the Stripe refund tool’s approvers to the ops lead.
• “Dash can create Linear issues without asking.” Set the create-issue tool to Auto.

What’s next

• Manage connection access to control who can use each connection.
• How approvals work for the full picture on the approval flow.