cheez-read

cheez-read

Hard dependency: If mcp__tilth__tilth_read is unavailable, stop immediately and report "tilth MCP server is not loaded — cannot proceed." Do NOT fall back to cat, Read, Glob, or any host tool.

Smart code reading via tilth MCP (tilth_read, tilth_files, tilth_deps). tilth replaces cat/head/tail with AST-aware file reading that understands code structure.

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Core Principle: Read Smart, Not More

tilth decides what to show based on file size and structure:

• Small files → full content with line numbers
• Large files → structural outline with line ranges
• Binary/generated → skipped with type indicator

This means you never waste tokens on a giant lockfile or minified bundle.

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MCP Tool Reference

tilth_read — Smart File Reading

tilth_read(path: "src/auth.ts")

Output for small files:

# src/auth.ts (258 lines, ~3.4k tokens) [full]

1 │ import express from 'express';
2 │ import jwt from 'jsonwebtoken';
...

Output for large files (automatic outline):

# src/auth.ts (1240 lines, ~16k tokens) [outline]

[1-12]   imports: express(2), jsonwebtoken, @/config
[14-22]  interface AuthConfig
[24-42]  fn validateToken(token: string): Claims | null
[44-89]  export fn handleAuth(req, res, next)
[91-258] export class AuthManager
  [99-130]  fn authenticate(credentials)
  [132-180] fn authorize(user, resource)

Drilling into sections:

# Line range
tilth_read(path: "src/auth.ts", section: "44-89")

# Markdown heading
tilth_read(path: "docs/guide.md", section: "## Installation")

Multiple files in one call:

tilth_read(paths: ["src/auth.ts", "src/routes.ts", "src/middleware.ts"])

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Hash Anchors — The Edit Bridge

When reading files, tilth outputs hash-anchored lines:

42:a3f│  let x = compute();
43:f1b│  return x;

The format is <line>:<hash>│ <content>.

Why this matters:

• These hashes uniquely identify the line content
• They're used by tilth_edit (cheez-write) for precise edits
• If the file changes, hashes won't match → edit is rejected safely
• You MUST read before editing to get current hashes

Memorize anchors for functions you'll edit:

• Note the start hash of function definitions
• Note the end hash for multi-line replacements
• Pass these to cheez-write later

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tilth_files — Directory Listing

Replaces ls, find, pwd, and the Glob tool.

tilth_files(glob: "**/*.ts", scope: "src/")

Output:

src/auth.ts  (~3.4k tokens)
src/routes.ts  (~2.1k tokens)
src/middleware.ts  (~1.8k tokens)

Token estimates help you decide what to read in full vs outline.

Common patterns:

# All TypeScript files
tilth_files(glob: "**/*.ts")

# Test files only
tilth_files(glob: "**/*.test.ts")

# Specific directory
tilth_files(glob: "*", scope: "src/handlers/")

# Exclude patterns
tilth_files(glob: "**/*.go", scope: ".", exclude: "*_test.go")

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tilth_deps — Blast Radius Check

Shows what imports this file and what it imports.

tilth_deps(path: "src/auth.ts")

Output:

# Dependencies for src/auth.ts

── imports ──
  express        external
  jsonwebtoken   external
  @/config       src/config/index.ts

── imported by ──
  src/routes/api.ts:5
  src/routes/admin.ts:8
  src/middleware/auth.ts:3

Use ONLY before:

• Renaming a file or module
• Removing exports
• Changing a function's signature
• Understanding refactoring impact

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Session Memory (Deduplication)

tilth tracks what you've read in the current session:

• Re-reading the same section shows [shown earlier] instead of full content
• This saves significant tokens over long sessions
• Forces you to reference memorized anchors instead of re-reading

Implication: Read once, memorize anchors, reference later.

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Reading Protocol

For Understanding Code

1. Start with outline (let tilth auto-decide):

   tilth_read(path: "src/auth.ts")
   

2. Drill into relevant sections:

   tilth_read(path: "src/auth.ts", section: "44-89")
   

3. Check dependencies if needed:

   tilth_deps(path: "src/auth.ts")
   

For Preparing Edits

1. Read the target section to get hash anchors:

   tilth_read(path: "src/auth.ts", section: "44-89")
   

2. Memorize:

   • Start anchor: 44:a3f
   • End anchor: 89:b7c

3. Pass these to cheez-write (tilth_edit) for the edit.

For Exploring a Directory

1. List files with token estimates:

   tilth_files(glob: "*", scope: "src/handlers/")
   

2. Read small files fully, outline large ones:

   tilth_read(paths: ["small.ts", "large.ts"])
   

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DO NOT

• DO NOT use cat/head/tail — use tilth_read
• DO NOT use ls/find — use tilth_files
• DO NOT re-read files shown earlier — reference your notes
• DO NOT use for searching — use cheez-search (tilth_search)
• DO NOT use for editing — use cheez-write (tilth_edit)
• DO NOT ignore hash anchors — you'll need them for edits

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Output Token Budget

tilth uses ~6000 tokens as the outline threshold. Files under this show in full; files over this get structural outlines. Use section to get hashlined content for specific ranges when preparing edits on large files.

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What This Skill Doesn't Do

• Search for symbols or text — use cheez-search
• Edit files — use cheez-write
• Run code or tests — use appropriate build/test skills
• Commit changes — use commit skill