Tool Priority

A meta-solution for locating code and triggering builds.

Updated Jan 9, 2026

Search Tags:#workflow #code analysis #lsp #glob #grep #tool selection

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/maplin-co/ai-course --skill tool-priority-maplin-co

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: Tool Priority
Source: https://github.com/maplin-co/ai-course/tree/main/.opencode/skill/tool-priority
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/maplin-co/ai-course --skill tool-priority-maplin-co

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

This Skill helps you select the most efficient tool for code analysis and file manipulation, preventing wasted time and ensuring accurate results.

Core Features & Use Cases

Tool Selection Guidance: Provides a clear priority order for using LSP, grep, and glob.
Use Case Examples: Demonstrates when to use semantic code intelligence (LSP) versus text-based searching (grep) or file discovery (glob).
Workflow Optimization: Offers a step-by-step approach to finding, understanding, and modifying code.

Quick Start

Use the tool priority skill to understand when to use LSP versus grep for code analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tool Priority

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

When should I use LSP instead of grep for code analysis?▼

Use LSP for code analysis when you need semantic understanding of symbols, definitions, and references. Grep is better suited for fast text-based searching across a codebase when semantic context is not required.

How do I choose the right tool for file pattern matching and discovery?▼

Choose glob for file pattern matching and discovery when you need to locate files by name or extension patterns. It is optimized for file system traversal rather than searching file contents.

What is the best workflow for finding, understanding, and modifying code?▼

The best workflow for modifying code uses a step-by-step approach: use glob to discover files, LSP to understand semantic structure, and grep to locate specific text patterns before making changes.

Can I use grep for semantic code intelligence?▼

No, grep handles text-based searching and cannot provide semantic code intelligence. For semantic understanding, use Language Server Protocol (LSP) to accurately analyze code symbols and references.

Why does tool selection matter for efficient development tasks?▼

Tool selection matters because choosing the optimal tool for file operations prevents wasted time and ensures accurate results. Using LSP, grep, or glob appropriately streamlines code analysis and workflow efficiency.