Codebase Memory — Knowledge Graph Tools
Graph tools return precise structural results in ~500 tokens vs ~80K for grep.
Quick Decision Matrix
| Question | Tool call |
|---|---|
| Who calls X? | trace_path(direction="inbound") |
| What does X call? | trace_path(direction="outbound") |
| Full call context | trace_path(direction="both") |
| Find by name pattern | search_graph(name_pattern="...") |
| Dead code | search_graph(max_degree=0, exclude_entry_points=true) |
| Cross-service edges | query_graph with Cypher |
| Impact of local changes | detect_changes() |
| Risk-classified trace | trace_path(risk_labels=true) |
| Text search | search_code or Grep |
Exploration Workflow
list_projects— check if project is indexedget_graph_schema— understand node/edge typessearch_graph(label="Function", name_pattern=".*Pattern.*")— find codeget_code_snippet(qualified_name="project.path.FuncName")— read source
Tracing Workflow
search_graph(name_pattern=".*FuncName.*")— discover exact nametrace_path(function_name="FuncName", direction="both", depth=3)— tracedetect_changes()— map git diff to affected symbols
Quality Analysis
- Dead code:
search_graph(max_degree=0, exclude_entry_points=true) - High fan-out:
search_graph(min_degree=10, relationship="CALLS", direction="outbound") - High fan-in:
search_graph(min_degree=10, relationship="CALLS", direction="inbound")
14 MCP Tools
index_repository, index_status, list_projects, delete_project,
search_graph, search_code, trace_path, detect_changes,
query_graph, get_graph_schema, get_code_snippet, get_architecture,
manage_adr, ingest_traces
Edge Types
CALLS, HTTP_CALLS, ASYNC_CALLS, IMPORTS, DEFINES, DEFINES_METHOD, HANDLES, IMPLEMENTS, OVERRIDE, USAGE, FILE_CHANGES_WITH, CONTAINS_FILE, CONTAINS_FOLDER, CONTAINS_PACKAGE
Cypher Examples (for query_graph)
MATCH (a)-[r:HTTP_CALLS]->(b) RETURN a.name, b.name, r.url_path, r.confidence LIMIT 20
MATCH (f:Function) WHERE f.name =~ '.*Handler.*' RETURN f.name, f.file_path
MATCH (a)-[r:CALLS]->(b) WHERE a.name = 'main' RETURN b.name
Gotchas
search_graph(relationship="HTTP_CALLS")filters nodes by degree — usequery_graphwith Cypher to see actual edges.query_graphhas a 200-row cap — usesearch_graphwith degree filters for counting.trace_pathneeds exact names — usesearch_graph(name_pattern=...)first.direction="outbound"misses cross-service callers — usedirection="both".- Results default to 10 per page — check
has_moreand useoffset.