An extraction pipeline must call extract_metadata before any enrichment tools, because they need its output. In about 10% of runs the model calls an enrichment tool first. What is the most reliable fix?

Answer: A — Force tool_choice to extract_metadata on the first request, then use follow-up turns

Forced selection ({"type": "tool", "name": "extract_metadata"}) guarantees which tool runs first. After its result is appended, follow-up turns let the model choose the enrichment tools (a). A prompt instruction (b) makes the order likely, not guaranteed. 'any' (c) guarantees a tool call but not which one. A single combined tool (d) removes the model's ability to choose enrichment steps and blurs the tools' contracts.