18 Built-in Tools
Bash, Edit, Read, Grep, Task...
🛠️ Claude Code has 18+ built-in tools. Each tool is a capability the agent can use. Understanding when to use which tool is key to effective work!
Read
FilesReads file contents. Supports text, images, PDF, Jupyter notebooks.
Edit
FilesEdits a file by replacing specified text with new text. Requires exact old_string match.
Write
FilesCreates a new file or completely overwrites an existing one.
Glob
SearchFinds files by pattern. Faster than find or ls.
Grep
SearchSearches text in files by regex. Built on ripgrep.
Bash
ExecutionExecutes terminal commands. git, npm, docker, etc.
Task
ExecutionLaunches a sub-agent for complex tasks. Types: Explore, Plan, Bash, etc.
WebFetch
WebFetches web page content and analyzes it.
WebSearch
WebWeb search for up-to-date information.
AskUserQuestion
PlanningAsks the user a question when clarification is needed.
TaskCreate/TaskUpdate
PlanningCreates and updates task list for tracking progress.
✅ Do
- • Always Read before Edit
- • Use Glob instead of find
- • Use Grep instead of grep
- • Parallel calls when possible
❌ Don't
- • Edit without prior Read
- • Bash for reading files (cat)
- • Write instead of Edit for changes
- • Guessing parameters
This lesson is part of a structured LLM course.
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