Tools - Qoder

Qoder CLI uses tools to work with your local workspace and external information sources. Tools can search and read project content, modify files, run commands, fetch web content, manage context, and connect to external services through MCP. Tools are available in both interactive TUI sessions and non-interactive print mode. The exact set of tools depends on the current session, enabled features, MCP configuration, and permission settings. Use /tools in the TUI to view the tools currently available in the session.

Search and Explore

Qoder CLI uses search and exploration tools to understand the current task before taking action.

Scope	Description
Files	Find files in the current workspace.
Code	Search code, text, and configuration files.
Directory	Explore project structure and locate relevant paths.
Web	Search for external information when the task requires current or public context.
Web content	Retrieve content from specific web pages.

Read Project Context

Qoder CLI can read files and other project artifacts to gather context for the current request.

Function	Description
View files	Read source files, documentation, configuration, and other text assets.
Read large files	Read a focused section when the whole file is too large.
Read document-like assets	Inspect supported document formats, such as PDFs, when available.

Edit Files

When a task requires changes, Qoder CLI can create or modify files in the workspace.

Function	Description
Modify files	Update existing files with targeted changes.
Create files	Add new files such as source files, tests, documentation, or configuration.
Edit notebooks	Modify notebook content when notebook support is available.

File edits pass through the permission system. Depending on the permission mode and rules, Qoder CLI may apply the change directly, ask for confirmation, or block the action.

Execute Commands

Qoder CLI can run shell commands when the task requires local execution.

Function	Description
Run commands	Execute build, test, package, Git, inspection, or custom shell commands.
Run long tasks	Keep track of commands that take time, such as test suites or development scripts.

Background Commands and Event Monitoring

When later work does not depend on an immediate command result, Qoder CLI can run the shell command in the background and let the main session continue with other work. A command explicitly requested in the background becomes a background task regardless of how quickly it exits. When the task completes, fails, or needs attention, its result automatically returns to the owning session; you do not need to ask repeatedly or run a polling command.

Background task starts -> Main session continues -> Completion returns -> Main session handles the result

For continuously changing signals such as logs, deployment status, or test activity, Qoder CLI can start an event monitor. Each complete line written by the monitor command becomes an event for the main session. Keep monitor commands selective so they report only useful events instead of forwarding an entire high-volume log. In TUI, enter /tasks to view the status and output of background Shell and Subagent tasks and to stop tasks that are still running. When a background task ends, its completion notification returns to the main session so Qoder CLI can continue based on the result. Shell commands usually carry more risk than read-only actions. Use permission rules to allow routine commands and ask or deny sensitive ones. When the shell command prefix is enabled, Bash tool commands run through the configured executable wrapper after the complete shell command has been assembled. Permission checks and command displays continue to use the original command. The wrapper must execute its single command argument and preserve the process I/O and exit status.

Manage Context

Some tools help Qoder CLI keep track of the current task and conversation state.

Function	Description
Track tasks	Maintain a lightweight plan or task list while work is in progress.
Ask for clarification	Request user input when a decision or missing detail blocks progress.
Manage memory	Store durable information when memory features are available.
Use skills	Load specialized instructions or workflows when configured.
Plan work	Enter or exit Plan mode when the task should be analyzed before execution.

Memory and skills provide context to the model, but they are not security boundaries. Use permissions and hooks to enforce hard policy.

Delegate and Automate

Qoder CLI can use delegation and automation capabilities when they are enabled for the current environment.

Function	Description
Subagents	Delegate focused work to specialized agents.
Workflows	Run configured workflows for repeatable tasks.
Goals	Track and execute longer-running objectives.
Worktrees	Work in a separate Git worktree when parallel sessions are needed.
Scheduled work	Create or manage scheduled tasks when scheduling is enabled.

Availability depends on product configuration, feature flags, and the current session.

MCP Tools

Qoder CLI can connect to Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to use external tools and data sources. After an MCP server is configured, its tools appear in the same /tools view and go through the same permission system. MCP tools are useful for integrating with systems such as issue trackers, code hosts, databases, browser automation, internal platforms, or custom company services. For MCP setup, see MCP Servers.

Control Tool Usage

Tool visibility and tool execution are controlled separately.

Control	Description
`--tools`	Limits which tools are visible in the current session.
`--allowed-tools`	Pre-approves selected tools or tool patterns.
`--disallowed-tools`	Blocks selected tools or tool patterns.
`permissions.allow` / `permissions.ask` / `permissions.deny`	Persistent permission rules in settings files.
`tools.exclude`	Removes tools from discovery at startup.

Examples:

# Read-only exploration
qodercli --tools Read Grep Glob --allowed-tools 'Read,Grep,Glob'

# Allow a routine status command
qodercli --allowed-tools 'Read,Grep,Bash(git status)'

# Block file edits in a non-interactive review
qodercli -p "review this repository" --disallowed-tools 'Write,Edit'

For permission modes, rule syntax, and decision order, see Permissions. For hooks that intercept tool calls, see Hooks.