Reorder tool groups and update tool usage instructions to always mention apply_diff before write_to_file

Author: Roo Code

src/core/prompts/sections/capabilities.ts

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ CAPABILITIES
 - When the user initially gives you a task, a recursive list of all filepaths in the current working directory ('${cwd}') will be included in environment_details. This provides an overview of the project's file structure, offering key insights into the project from directory/file names (how developers conceptualize and organize their code) and file extensions (the language used). This can also guide decision-making on which files to explore further. If you need to further explore directories such as outside the current working directory, you can use the list_files tool. If you pass 'true' for the recursive parameter, it will list files recursively. Otherwise, it will list files at the top level, which is better suited for generic directories where you don't necessarily need the nested structure, like the Desktop.
 - You can use search_files to perform regex searches across files in a specified directory, outputting context-rich results that include surrounding lines. This is particularly useful for understanding code patterns, finding specific implementations, or identifying areas that need refactoring.
 - You can use the list_code_definition_names tool to get an overview of source code definitions for all files at the top level of a specified directory. This can be particularly useful when you need to understand the broader context and relationships between certain parts of the code. You may need to call this tool multiple times to understand various parts of the codebase related to the task.
-    - For example, when asked to make edits or improvements you might analyze the file structure in the initial environment_details to get an overview of the project, then use list_code_definition_names to get further insight using source code definitions for files located in relevant directories, then read_file to examine the contents of relevant files, analyze the code and suggest improvements or make necessary edits, then use the write_to_file${diffStrategy ? " or apply_diff" : ""} tool to apply the changes. If you refactored code that could affect other parts of the codebase, you could use search_files to ensure you update other files as needed.
+    - For example, when asked to make edits or improvements you might analyze the file structure in the initial environment_details to get an overview of the project, then use list_code_definition_names to get further insight using source code definitions for files located in relevant directories, then read_file to examine the contents of relevant files, analyze the code and suggest improvements or make necessary edits, then use ${diffStrategy ? "the apply_diff or write_to_file" : "the write_to_file"} tool to apply the changes. If you refactored code that could affect other parts of the codebase, you could use search_files to ensure you update other files as needed.
 - You can use the execute_command tool to run commands on the user's computer whenever you feel it can help accomplish the user's task. When you need to execute a CLI command, you must provide a clear explanation of what the command does. Prefer to execute complex CLI commands over creating executable scripts, since they are more flexible and easier to run. Interactive and long-running commands are allowed, since the commands are run in the user's VSCode terminal. The user may keep commands running in the background and you will be kept updated on their status along the way. Each command you execute is run in a new terminal instance.${
 		supportsComputerUse
 			? "\n- You can use the browser_action tool to interact with websites (including html files and locally running development servers) through a Puppeteer-controlled browser when you feel it is necessary in accomplishing the user's task. This tool is particularly useful for web development tasks as it allows you to launch a browser, navigate to pages, interact with elements through clicks and keyboard input, and capture the results through screenshots and console logs. This tool may be useful at key stages of web development tasks-such as after implementing new features, making substantial changes, when troubleshooting issues, or to verify the result of your work. You can analyze the provided screenshots to ensure correct rendering or identify errors, and review console logs for runtime issues.\n  - For example, if asked to add a component to a react website, you might create the necessary files, use execute_command to run the site locally, then use browser_action to launch the browser, navigate to the local server, and verify the component renders & functions correctly before closing the browser."

src/core/prompts/sections/modes.ts

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ Both files should follow this structure:
      "roleDefinition": "You are Roo, a UI/UX expert specializing in design systems and frontend development. Your expertise includes:\\n- Creating and maintaining design systems\\n- Implementing responsive and accessible web interfaces\\n- Working with CSS, HTML, and modern frontend frameworks\\n- Ensuring consistent user experiences across platforms", // Required: non-empty
      "groups": [ // Required: array of tool groups (can be empty)
        "read",    // Read files group (read_file, search_files, list_files, list_code_definition_names)
-       "edit",    // Edit files group (write_to_file, apply_diff) - allows editing any file
+       "edit",    // Edit files group (apply_diff, write_to_file) - allows editing any file
        // Or with file restrictions:
        // ["edit", { fileRegex: "\\.md$", description: "Markdown files only" }],  // Edit group that only allows editing markdown files
        "browser", // Browser group (browser_action)

src/core/prompts/sections/rules.ts

@@ -5,11 +5,16 @@ import * as path from "path"
 
 function getEditingInstructions(diffStrategy?: DiffStrategy, experiments?: Record<string, boolean>): string {
 	const instructions: string[] = []
-	const availableTools: string[] = ["write_to_file (for creating new files or complete file rewrites)"]
+	const availableTools: string[] = []
 
 	// Collect available editing tools
 	if (diffStrategy) {
-		availableTools.push("apply_diff (for replacing lines in existing files)")
+		availableTools.push(
+			"apply_diff (for replacing lines in existing files)",
+			"write_to_file (for creating new files or complete file rewrites)",
+		)
+	} else {
+		availableTools.push("write_to_file (for creating new files or complete file rewrites)")
 	}
 	if (experiments?.["insert_content"]) {
 		availableTools.push("insert_content (for adding lines to existing files)")
@@ -36,16 +41,16 @@ function getEditingInstructions(diffStrategy?: DiffStrategy, experiments?: Recor
 		)
 	}
 
-	instructions.push(
-		"- When using the write_to_file tool to modify a file, use the tool directly with the desired content. You do not need to display the content before using the tool. ALWAYS provide the COMPLETE file content in your response. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Partial updates or placeholders like '// rest of code unchanged' are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. You MUST include ALL parts of the file, even if they haven't been modified. Failure to do so will result in incomplete or broken code, severely impacting the user's project.",
-	)
-
 	if (availableTools.length > 1) {
 		instructions.push(
 			"- You should always prefer using other editing tools over write_to_file when making changes to existing files since write_to_file is much slower and cannot handle large files.",
 		)
 	}
 
+	instructions.push(
+		"- When using the write_to_file tool to modify a file, use the tool directly with the desired content. You do not need to display the content before using the tool. ALWAYS provide the COMPLETE file content in your response. This is NON-NEGOTIABLE. Partial updates or placeholders like '// rest of code unchanged' are STRICTLY FORBIDDEN. You MUST include ALL parts of the file, even if they haven't been modified. Failure to do so will result in incomplete or broken code, severely impacting the user's project.",
+	)
+
 	return instructions.join("\n")
 }
 
@@ -63,7 +68,7 @@ RULES
 - You cannot \`cd\` into a different directory to complete a task. You are stuck operating from '${cwd.toPosix()}', so be sure to pass in the correct 'path' parameter when using tools that require a path.
 - Do not use the ~ character or $HOME to refer to the home directory.
 - Before using the execute_command tool, you must first think about the SYSTEM INFORMATION context provided to understand the user's environment and tailor your commands to ensure they are compatible with their system. You must also consider if the command you need to run should be executed in a specific directory outside of the current working directory '${cwd.toPosix()}', and if so prepend with \`cd\`'ing into that directory && then executing the command (as one command since you are stuck operating from '${cwd.toPosix()}'). For example, if you needed to run \`npm install\` in a project outside of '${cwd.toPosix()}', you would need to prepend with a \`cd\` i.e. pseudocode for this would be \`cd (path to project) && (command, in this case npm install)\`.
-- When using the search_files tool, craft your regex patterns carefully to balance specificity and flexibility. Based on the user's task you may use it to find code patterns, TODO comments, function definitions, or any text-based information across the project. The results include context, so analyze the surrounding code to better understand the matches. Leverage the search_files tool in combination with other tools for more comprehensive analysis. For example, use it to find specific code patterns, then use read_file to examine the full context of interesting matches before using write_to_file to make informed changes.
+- When using the search_files tool, craft your regex patterns carefully to balance specificity and flexibility. Based on the user's task you may use it to find code patterns, TODO comments, function definitions, or any text-based information across the project. The results include context, so analyze the surrounding code to better understand the matches. Leverage the search_files tool in combination with other tools for more comprehensive analysis. For example, use it to find specific code patterns, then use read_file to examine the full context of interesting matches before using ${diffStrategy ? "apply_diff or write_to_file" : "write_to_file"} to make informed changes.
 - When creating a new project (such as an app, website, or any software project), organize all new files within a dedicated project directory unless the user specifies otherwise. Use appropriate file paths when writing files, as the write_to_file tool will automatically create any necessary directories. Structure the project logically, adhering to best practices for the specific type of project being created. Unless otherwise specified, new projects should be easily run without additional setup, for example most projects can be built in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript - which you can open in a browser.
 ${getEditingInstructions(diffStrategy, experiments)}
 - Some modes have restrictions on which files they can edit. If you attempt to edit a restricted file, the operation will be rejected with a FileRestrictionError that will specify which file patterns are allowed for the current mode.

src/shared/tool-groups.ts

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ export const TOOL_GROUPS: Record<string, ToolGroupConfig> = {
 		tools: ["read_file", "search_files", "list_files", "list_code_definition_names"],
 	},
 	edit: {
-		tools: ["write_to_file", "apply_diff", "insert_content", "search_and_replace"],
+		tools: ["apply_diff", "write_to_file", "insert_content", "search_and_replace"],
 	},
 	browser: {
 		tools: ["browser_action"],