Current Date
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Purpose
Current Date reads the current server time in a selected timezone and returns one formatted Message.
When to use it
- Add the current timestamp to a prompt.
- Display the current time in a named timezone.
- Give a flow explicit time context.
How to use it
Tool Mode
- Disable Agent Core's built-in Current Date tool before adding a separate one.
- Add Current Date, enable Tool Mode, select the timezone, and connect the tool output to Agent Core.
Normal mode
- Keep
UTCor select a timezone such asAmerica/New_York. - Connect the Message output to Prompt Template, Text Output, or another message-compatible component.
Configuration
| Setting | What it controls | Recommended starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Timezone | Chooses the timezone used for the current timestamp. The default is UTC. | Keep UTC unless the flow needs a named local timezone. |
| Tool Mode | Replaces the Message output with the get_current_date tool. | Leave it off for a fixed timestamp. |
Expected result
The output is a Message in the fixed format Current date and time in <timezone>: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS TZ. Invalid timezone values return an error Message.
Reference details
Agent Core already adds one Current Date tool by default. Adding a second time tool without disabling the built-in one gives the Agent duplicate choices.
Works well with
Use Prompt Template when a prompt needs the current time as context. Use Text Output when the flow should return the timestamp as a plain response.