Published on August 17, 2025.

NetSuite's new AI Connector Service is already impressive. Last week I wrote about what I think is its sleeper feature: the ability to give external AI clients (like Claude) access to NetSuite data through SuiteQL queries. That alone opens up powerful possibilities for analysis and reporting.

But for developers, NetSuite has quietly delivered something just as exciting: the new SuiteScript 2.1 "Custom Tool" script type.

With Custom Tools, developers can extend the AI Connector's capabilities, enabling AI clients to do more than just query data. They can now interact with NetSuite in new ways - retrieving files, creating content, running processes, and building workflows that feel almost agentic.

First Experiments: File Cabinet Tools

I started experimenting with Custom Tools by focusing on the File Cabinet. Using a simple SuiteScript, I created a tool that allows Claude (via the AI Connector) to:
• Locate files and folders
• Retrieve metadata
• Load and read file contents

Here's a short video showing the script being used to search for images.

Here's another video where the user asks Claude to find a file and display it.

Example Use Case: Automated Financial Analysis and Reporting

To push the concept further, I added a new capability: letting Claude create new files in the File Cabinet.

Here's the prompt I gave Claude via the AI Connector:

"Our balance sheet and income statement are stored in a folder with a name like 'SuiteReports.' Please find those files, load and analyze them, and then give me a detailed report of our company's financial health. And finally, save the report, as an HTML file, in the Downloads folder. Use a logical file name that includes a date/time stamp, and also add a relevant description for the file. When you're finished, please give me the name and internal ID of the file."

As you can see, it took awhile. Claude struggled a bit with saving the file - which is something I could adjust the script to handle better.

Regardless, Claude:
• Located the financial reports in the File Cabinet.
• Loaded them.
• Analyzed them.
• Prepared a report.
• Saves the final report to the File Cabinet.

Try It Yourself

If you'd like to try these File Cabinet tools, I've published the files needed to add them to your NetSuite instance. You can download them here: FileCabinetTool-20250817-01.zip

Note: You'll need experience with the SuiteCloud Development Framework (SDF), since that's currently the only way to deploy Custom Tools. If you're not a developer, you'll need someone familiar with SDF to help.

Wrapping Up

The AI Connector gave us the foundation - secure access to NetSuite data through AI.

The new Custom Tool script type is the icing on the cake. It allows developers to enhance the connector in familiar ways (SuiteScript), while opening up entirely new possibilities:
• Intelligent document management
• Automated reporting workflows
• Compliance checks and anomaly detection
• AI-driven operational tasks

This isn't just about insights anymore. It's about giving AI the ability to act - safely and securely - within the NetSuite ecosystem.

For developers, it's a game-changing opportunity.