NPC recruits literally don't even equip gear?

[TGWeaver]

I took my first recruit's axe away because there was no way to tell him to wait or stop chopping trees. Even dismissing him, he'd keep chopping. So I took the axe away.
Later, I gave it back, but he never chopped trees again, and in combat he would just cower uselessly. I tried giving him a maul, a knife, a crossbow. Nothing. He refuses to help me out in combat.
If you take an NPC's clothes and then give them back, they'll just walk around naked forever. He refuses to equip anything I give him and there doesn't seem to be a command to make him do it.

Currently stuck on the first boss (the fabled templar construct I think?) because I have no idea how you are supposed to beat this other than cheesing him around corners with a crossbow, especially with an NPC partner who does absolutely nothing to help.

[krstdl]

Go into your NPC's inventory, mouse over the item you would like them to equip, right click, and click "equip" to equip the item on the NPC.

[Resolute]

when viewing your NPC inventory you need to click on the item and select "Equip" you can also change the item equipped to get them to 'chop' other things though they are usually pretty bad at mining.

[Wrothbog]

i do hope NPC commands are unlockable or in a future update. it's annoying that given 20 seconds they'll reduce your garden to kindling. and seemingly have no interest in tidying up the lumber they've left everywhere.

[Gnollmar]

(Hard) Wow, this was one boring fight. the boss takes 100 shots to kill, or just spam axe with health potions ... im glad i had a lot of them ... and toi get better gear, you have to kill this thing xD

[Alex]

They do equip stuff. They just can use it. Tried giving the ET looking thing following me around that sling crossbow, she grabs is but can't shoot it.

[Stelar Seven]

I've not been able to get the NPC to use a scythe but they take a axe or pick just fine if you equip it.

On a side note, having a mute clueless automaton for a helper who doesn't eat or sleep and teleports around is not a great look. If we can't get the AI better change the character model to something that's apropriate for, a clockwork tin man or some nature spirit bound to us after we get a totem or something.