metacog-tool-audit

name	metacog-tool-audit
description	Decide whether tool use is necessary, excessive, or unsafe. Use before reaching for MCP, networked tools, or repetitive tool loops.
user-invocable	true
allowed-tools	Read, Grep, Glob

Tool Necessity Audit

For the current task, evaluate each planned tool call:

Decision matrix

Question	Answer
Can this be answered from repo state or current context?	yes/no
Does this truly require a tool call?	yes/no
Local CLI or external integration?	local/external
Should this wait until after a proof step?	yes/no

Output format

Skip: [tools that are unnecessary - explain why]
Allow: [tools that are justified - explain what they provide]
Confirm: [tools that need human approval - explain the risk]
Cheaper path: [one alternative that reduces tool usage]

Rules:

• "I need to check" is not justification. Specify what you need to check and why a tool is the only way.
• Prefer grep over Read when searching for patterns.
• Prefer parametric knowledge for well-known APIs/frameworks.
• MCP calls require stronger justification than local tools.
• If the task can be done with zero tool calls, say so.