exploration-tools

name	Exploration Tools
description	Tool definitions and usage patterns for codebase exploration (Glob, Grep, Read, LSP). Agents reference this skill instead of inline tool definitions.
version	2.0.0

Provide standardized tool definitions and usage patterns for codebase exploration. This skill centralizes tool knowledge that was previously duplicated across agents, ensuring consistent search strategies and result formatting. Fast file pattern matching for finding files by name Glob pattern (e.g., **/*.ts, src/**/*.md) Directory to search in (defaults to cwd) Find files by name pattern when you know the file extension or naming convention Pattern: **/*.tsx Result: All TypeScript React files in the project Content search with regex support across files Regex pattern to search for File or directory to search in Filter files by glob pattern File type filter (js, py, rust, etc.) content, files_with_matches (default), or count Lines after match Lines before match Lines of context around match Case insensitive search Enable multiline matching for cross-line patterns Search file contents for patterns, keywords, or code constructs Pattern: useState Glob: **/*.tsx Result: All useState usages in React components Read file contents with optional line range Absolute path to file Starting line number Number of lines to read View file contents after locating with Glob or Grep file_path: /path/to/file.ts offset: 50 limit: 30 Result: Lines 50-80 of the file Navigate to symbol definition using Language Server Protocol File containing the symbol reference Line number of the reference Column position of the reference Find where a function, class, or variable is defined Find all references to a symbol using Language Server Protocol File containing the symbol definition Line number of the definition Column position of the definition Find all usages of a function, class, or variable across the codebase Get all symbols in a document using Language Server Protocol File to analyze Get an overview of classes, functions, and variables in a file Choosing appropriate search boundaries to balance speed and completeness Narrow: Single file or directory Medium: File type across project Broad: All files in project

  Start narrow, expand only if results are insufficient
</example>

Prioritizing search results by relevance High relevance: Exact matches, definition sites Medium relevance: Usage sites, related patterns Low relevance: Comments, test files, generated code Pattern for finding files by name or extension 1. Use Glob with pattern to find candidate files 2. Filter results by relevance 3. Read specific files for details Pattern for searching file contents 1. Use Grep with pattern and file type filter 2. Review matches with context (-C flag) 3. Follow up with Read for full file context Pattern for navigating code symbols 1. Use LSP_goToDefinition to find symbol source 2. Use LSP_findReferences to find usages 3. Use LSP_documentSymbol for file overview

<decision_tree name="tool_selection"> What type of search is needed? Use Glob Use Grep Use LSP_goToDefinition or Serena find_symbol Use LSP_findReferences or Serena find_referencing_symbols Use Read </decision_tree>

<best_practices> Use Glob for file discovery, Grep for content search Always return file:line references for findings Start with narrow search scope, expand if needed Use LSP tools when available for accurate symbol navigation Filter out binary and generated files Limit results to manageable size using head_limit </best_practices>

<anti_patterns> Searching entire codebase without filters Start with file type or directory filters

Reading files without first using Glob/Grep to locate them Use search tools to find relevant files first Returning matches without surrounding context Use -C flag with Grep or read surrounding lines Exploration operations must be read-only; never modify files during search Always use absolute file paths in Read tool calls Keep guidance evidence-based and version-aware Prefer Grep over shell grep/rg commands for consistent behavior Prefer project conventions over generic defaults

<error_escalation inherits="core-patterns#error_escalation"> Minor inconsistency Ambiguous guidance Conflicting constraints Unsafe or misleading retrieval guidance </error_escalation>

<related_agents> Locate relevant code patterns Review output consistency </related_agents>

Return file paths with line numbers for all findings Limit results to manageable size Maintain read-only operations during exploration Modifying files during exploration Returning raw dumps without filtering Searching binary or generated files

<related_skills> Alternative symbol navigation via Serena MCP Evidence collection methodology using these tools </related_skills>