File Operations

File Operations

This skill teaches how to operate on local files using the built-in tools.

When to Use

Load this skill when:

• Creating, reading, editing, or deleting files
• Listing a directory's contents
• Exploring the project structure
• Writing or updating documentation

Instructions

To operate on files, use the available tools directly:

1. List a directory: use list_files with the directory path.

   • Relative paths resolve from the project root.
   • Example: {"path": "."} lists the project root.

2. Read a file: use read_file with the file path.

   • Example: {"path": "README.md"} reads the README.

3. Write a file: use write_file with path and content.

   • Parent directories are created automatically.
   • Example: {"path": "notes/hello.txt", "content": "Hello world"}.

4. Delete a file: use delete_file with the file path.

Best Practices

• Always list a directory before assuming what files exist.
• Never fabricate file contents — use read_file to check.
• When the user asks to "create" a project, write real files and report the paths.
• If the scope is limited to the project directory and the user asks for a path outside it, explain the limitation instead of failing silently.

Example Workflow

To create a small project scaffold:

1. list_files → check the current structure
2. write_file for each new file
3. list_files again to confirm

Always report what was created/modified with the full paths.