diff --git a/tools/collatz_steps.py b/tools/collatz_steps.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3a00a1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/collatz_steps.py
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+# tool:  collatz_steps
+# description: Returns the next element of a Collatz sequence for a given number
+# author: @MateiB20
+# example: collatz_steps "6" -> "3"
+def run(*args) -> str:
+    if len(args) != 1:
+        raise ValueError("Requires exactly one argument")
+
+    num = args[0].lstrip("-")
+
+    if num == "":
+        return "Error: Please provide a non-empty input."
+
+    if not num.isdigit():
+        return "Error: Please provide a numeric input."
+
+    if int(num)%2==0:
+        return str(int(num)//2)
+    else:
+        return str(int(num)*3+1)