gabb-code-navigation

name	gabb-code-navigation
description	Decision guide for code navigation. Teaches when to use gabb tools vs default tools (Grep/Read) for maximum efficiency. Applies to Python/TypeScript/Rust/Kotlin/C++.
allowed-tools	mcp__gabb__*, Edit, Write, Bash, Read, Glob

Gabb Code Navigation

Search Strategy Decision Flow

When you need to find code, follow this order:

1. Task names specific file/function? → Read directly (skip exploration)
2. Looking for a code construct by name? → gabb_symbol
3. Looking for text content (strings, error messages)? → Grep
4. Need to understand file layout? → gabb_structure

gabb_symbol - Workspace Symbol Search

Search for symbols (functions, classes, methods) by name across the workspace.

When to use:

• Task mentions a function/class/method name to find or fix
• You need to find where something is defined
• Grep would return too many false positives

Example:

gabb_symbol name="update_proxy_model_permissions"
→ function update_proxy_model_permissions [prod] migrations/0011_update_proxy_permissions.py:5:1

Use Grep instead when:

• Searching for error messages or string literals
• Looking for text patterns, not code identifiers

gabb_structure - File Layout Preview

Before reading large or unfamiliar code files, consider using gabb_structure to preview the layout. This saves tokens when you only need part of a large file.

Recommended for:

• Large files (>100 lines) where you only need part
• Unfamiliar codebases where you're exploring
• Files you'll read multiple times

Skip when:

• You already know exactly what you're looking for
• The file is likely small (<100 lines)
• You can answer from existing context
• Files you've already seen structure for in this conversation

Supported Languages

Language	Extensions
Python	.py, .pyi
TypeScript	.ts, .tsx
Rust	.rs
Kotlin	.kt, .kts
C++	.cpp, .cc, .cxx, .hpp, .hh

For .js, .jsx, .go, .java, .c, .h → Use Grep/Read

Quick Reference

Goal	Tool
Find symbol by name	gabb_symbol name="X"
Preview file structure	gabb_structure file="path"
Find usages before refactoring	gabb_usages file="X" line=N character=M

When to Fall Back to Grep/Read

1. Searching text content (error messages, comments, strings)
2. Unsupported file types (.js, .go, .java, .json, .md)
3. Finding config values or non-code content