edit

name	edit
description	Replace exact text in a file. Use when modifying existing files with precise text replacement, making targeted edits, or deleting code.
token_cost	150
related	["read","write"]
keywords	["edit","fix","modify","update","patch","change","replace","amend","correct","adjust"]

Edit Tool

Replace exact text in a file. This is the default tool for changing any existing file — prefer it over Write for anything except creating a new file from scratch.

REQUIRED: path (absolute), edits (array of {oldText, newText}) OPTIONAL: none

RULES:

• Each oldText must match EXACTLY (whitespace, indentation, line endings all matter)
• Each oldText must be unique in the file — include 2-3 lines of surrounding context if needed
• edits is matched against the original file, not after earlier edits apply — do not overlap or nest
• To delete text: set newText to ""
• Read the file first if you do not already have its current content
• Batch multiple disjoint changes in one call by passing multiple edits[] entries

EXAMPLE (single change):

{"name": "Edit", "input": {"path": "/absolute/path/file.py", "edits": [{"oldText": "def hello():\n    return 1", "newText": "def hello():\n    return 2"}]}}

EXAMPLE (two changes in one call):

{"name": "Edit", "input": {"path": "/absolute/path/file.py", "edits": [{"oldText": "MAX = 10", "newText": "MAX = 20"}, {"oldText": "TIMEOUT = 5", "newText": "TIMEOUT = 30"}]}}

RECOVERY WHEN Edit FAILS:

• "String not found" → Read the file to get the exact current content (whitespace often differs), then retry Edit with the exact string
• "Found multiple times" → include more surrounding context so oldText is unique, then retry Edit
• Do NOT fall back to Write just because Edit failed once — re-read, fix oldText, retry. Write is almost always the wrong recovery here for an existing file.

Workflow

1. Read first: Always read the file to get exact current content before editing
2. Match exactly: Ensure oldText matches precisely (whitespace, indentation, line endings)
3. Ensure uniqueness: Include 2-3 lines of surrounding context if the text appears multiple times
4. Batch changes: Pass multiple edits[] entries for disjoint changes in one call
5. Handle failures: Re-read on "String not found"; add context on "Found multiple times"