Tool Tiers

Codanna is a local code intelligence MCP server and CLI for AI coding agents. It exposes multiple MCP tools — start with high-context tools that pre-correlate semantic matches with call graphs and impact analysis, then narrow down.

Tier 1: Start Here

These tools provide the most context per query.

Tool	Use When
`semantic_search_with_context`	Finding code by meaning with relationships included
`analyze_impact`	Mapping what changes when you modify a symbol

codanna mcp semantic_search_with_context query:"authentication logic" limit:3
codanna mcp analyze_impact UserAuth

Tier 2: Get Details

Use after finding symbols to explore specific relationships.

Tool	Use When
`find_symbol`	Looking up a known symbol by exact name
`get_calls`	Seeing what a function calls
`find_callers`	Seeing who calls a function

codanna mcp find_symbol parse_config
codanna mcp get_calls symbol_id:567
codanna mcp find_callers symbol_id:567

Tier 3: Browse

For exploration and index status.

Tool	Use When
`search_symbols`	Fuzzy matching by name pattern
`semantic_search_docs`	Semantic search without relationship context
`get_index_info`	Checking index statistics

codanna mcp search_symbols query:parse kind:function limit:10
codanna mcp semantic_search_docs query:"error handling" limit:5
codanna mcp get_index_info

Common Workflows

Starting a Refactor

Find relevant code

codanna mcp semantic_search_with_context query:"authentication logic" limit:3

Map change radius

codanna mcp analyze_impact AuthService

Get specific details

codanna mcp get_calls symbol_id:567
codanna mcp find_callers symbol_id:567

Debugging an Issue

Search with error description

codanna mcp semantic_search_with_context query:"connection timeout error" limit:3

Trace how code is reached

codanna mcp find_callers symbol_id:123

See dependencies

codanna mcp get_calls symbol_id:123

Before Modifying a Function

Find what depends on it

codanna mcp analyze_impact process_payment

Check all callers

codanna mcp find_callers symbol_id:890

Understand the contract

codanna mcp get_calls symbol_id:890

Overview

Features

Workflows

Tier 1: Start Here

Tier 2: Get Details

Tier 3: Browse

Common Workflows

Starting a Refactor

Debugging an Issue

Before Modifying a Function

Next Steps

Agentic Guidance

Semantic Search

​Tier 1: Start Here

​Tier 2: Get Details

​Tier 3: Browse

​Common Workflows

​Starting a Refactor

​Debugging an Issue

​Before Modifying a Function

​Next Steps

Agentic Guidance

Semantic Search

Tier 1: Start Here

Tier 2: Get Details

Tier 3: Browse

Common Workflows

Starting a Refactor

Debugging an Issue

Before Modifying a Function

Next Steps