docs: clarify apply_diff tool descriptions to emphasize surgical edits (#6278)

Co-authored-by: Daniel Riccio <[email protected]>
Co-authored-by: Roo Code <[email protected]>

Author: 3 people

src/core/diff/strategies/multi-file-search-replace.ts

@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ export class MultiFileSearchReplaceDiffStrategy implements DiffStrategy {
 	getToolDescription(args: { cwd: string; toolOptions?: { [key: string]: string } }): string {
 		return `## apply_diff
 
-Description: Request to apply targeted modifications to one or more files by searching for specific sections of content and replacing them. This tool supports both single-file and multi-file operations, allowing you to make changes across multiple files in a single request.
+Description: Request to apply PRECISE, TARGETED modifications to one or more files by searching for specific sections of content and replacing them. This tool is for SURGICAL EDITS ONLY - specific changes to existing code. This tool supports both single-file and multi-file operations, allowing you to make changes across multiple files in a single request.
 
 **IMPORTANT: You MUST use multiple files in a single operation whenever possible to maximize efficiency and minimize back-and-forth.**
 

src/core/diff/strategies/multi-search-replace.ts

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ export class MultiSearchReplaceDiffStrategy implements DiffStrategy {
 
 	getToolDescription(args: { cwd: string; toolOptions?: { [key: string]: string } }): string {
 		return `## apply_diff
-Description: Request to apply targeted modifications to an existing file by searching for specific sections of content and replacing them. This tool is ideal for precise, surgical edits when you know the exact content to change. It helps maintain proper indentation and formatting.
+Description: Request to apply PRECISE, TARGETED modifications to an existing file by searching for specific sections of content and replacing them. This tool is for SURGICAL EDITS ONLY - specific changes to existing code.
 You can perform multiple distinct search and replace operations within a single \`apply_diff\` call by providing multiple SEARCH/REPLACE blocks in the \`diff\` parameter. This is the preferred way to make several targeted changes efficiently.
 The SEARCH section must exactly match existing content including whitespace and indentation.
 If you're not confident in the exact content to search for, use the read_file tool first to get the exact content.

src/core/prompts/__tests__/__snapshots__/system-prompt/with-diff-enabled-true.snap

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ function getEditingInstructions(diffStrategy?: DiffStrategy): string {
 	// Collect available editing tools
 	if (diffStrategy) {
 		availableTools.push(
-			"apply_diff (for replacing lines in existing files)",
+			"apply_diff (for surgical edits - targeted changes to specific lines or functions)",
 			"write_to_file (for creating new files or complete file rewrites)",
 		)
 	} else {