# Tool Selection Strategy

> Use this skill when deciding which tools to call in an agentic workflow. Always choose the minimal, most direct tool for each step and avoid redundant or speculative tool calls.

- Skill: `gabrielmoreira/tool-selection-strategy` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add gabrielmoreira/tool-selection-strategy`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/gabrielmoreira/tool-selection-strategy/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Productivity
- Author: gabrielmoreira (https://skillmd.com/u/gabrielmoreira)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/gabrielmoreira/tool-selection-strategy

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# Tool Selection Strategy

**Principles:**
- **Least tool principle:** Use the most specific, lightweight tool that accomplishes the goal.
- **Read before writing:** Always read a file before editing it to understand current state.
- **Avoid speculative calls:** Don't call a tool "just to see what happens". Have a clear hypothesis.
- **Parallelize independent calls:** If two reads don't depend on each other, fire them simultaneously.

**Decision heuristic:**
1. Can I answer this from memory/context? No tool call needed.
2. Is this a file operation? Use Read/Write/Edit tools.
3. Is this a code search? Use Grep/Glob tools.
4. Is this a system operation? Use Bash (last resort).

**Anti-pattern:** Using a heavy tool (Agent, Bash) when a lightweight dedicated tool suffices.