fix: improve write_file tool description for better LLM clarity #499
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Addresses issue langchain-ai#416 by making the content parameter description more explicit and adding usage examples. Changes: - Explicitly states content contains complete file contents - Adds clarifying language about what content represents - Provides concrete examples for Python and text files - Clarifies file overwrite behavior - Fixes typo: 'create the a new file' -> 'create a new file' This change helps LLMs (especially Claude models) understand the content parameter on the first attempt rather than failing 3-10 times before getting it right. Fixes langchain-ai#416
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Pull request overview
This PR improves the write_file tool description to reduce LLM confusion about the content parameter, addressing community-reported issues where Claude models fail multiple times before correctly providing file content, especially with large files (>60k tokens).
Key changes:
- Explicitly clarifies that
contentcontains complete file contents with explanatory text - Adds concrete usage examples for Python and text files
- Fixes typo and improves formatting consistency
- Clarifies overwrite behavior
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Co-authored-by: Copilot <[email protected]>
eyurtsev
reviewed
Nov 26, 2025
| - Prefer to edit existing files over creating new ones when possible.""" | ||
| - The content parameter contains the complete file contents as a string (this is the actual text/code/data that will be written to the file) | ||
| - The write_file tool will create a new file at the specified path | ||
| - If a file already exists at the path, it will be overwritten |
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at the moment it's not overwritten. it errors (i.e., overwrites are not allowed)
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Description
Improves the
write_filetool description to explicitly clarify what thecontentparameter represents.Problem
The current description is ambiguous, leading to LLMs (especially Claude models) failing 3-10 times before correctly providing the content parameter. Multiple community members have reported this issue, particularly with larger content sizes (>60k tokens).
Related community reports:
Solution
contentcontains the complete file contentsImpact
Testing
Fixes #416