fix: improve write_file tool description for better LLM clarity #499
Conversation
This file contains hidden or bidirectional Unicode text that may be interpreted or compiled differently than what appears below. To review, open the file in an editor that reveals hidden Unicode characters.
Learn more about bidirectional Unicode characters
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
There was a problem hiding this comment.
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
💡 Add Copilot custom instructions for smarter, more guided reviews. Learn how to get started.
Co-authored-by: Copilot <175728472+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com>
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 |
Collaborator
There was a problem hiding this comment.
at the moment it's not overwritten. it errors (i.e., overwrites are not allowed)
|
I have tried this solution in 'claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929', But it does't work. |
Sign up for free
to join this conversation on GitHub.
Already have an account?
Sign in to comment
3 participants
Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.
This suggestion is invalid because no changes were made to the code.
Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is closed.
Suggestions cannot be applied while viewing a subset of changes.
Only one suggestion per line can be applied in a batch.
Add this suggestion to a batch that can be applied as a single commit.
Applying suggestions on deleted lines is not supported.
You must change the existing code in this line in order to create a valid suggestion.
Outdated suggestions cannot be applied.
This suggestion has been applied or marked resolved.
Suggestions cannot be applied from pending reviews.
Suggestions cannot be applied on multi-line comments.
Suggestions cannot be applied while the pull request is queued to merge.
Suggestion cannot be applied right now. Please check back later.
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