> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.codanna.sh/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tool Tiers

> Which MCP tool to use when

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 |

```bash theme={null}
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 |

```bash theme={null}
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 |

```bash theme={null}
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

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find relevant code">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp semantic_search_with_context query:"authentication logic" limit:3
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map change radius">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp analyze_impact AuthService
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get specific details">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp get_calls symbol_id:567
    codanna mcp find_callers symbol_id:567
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Debugging an Issue

<Steps>
  <Step title="Search with error description">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp semantic_search_with_context query:"connection timeout error" limit:3
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Trace how code is reached">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp find_callers symbol_id:123
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="See dependencies">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp get_calls symbol_id:123
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Before Modifying a Function

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find what depends on it">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp analyze_impact process_payment
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check all callers">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp find_callers symbol_id:890
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Understand the contract">
    ```bash theme={null}
    codanna mcp get_calls symbol_id:890
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Agentic Guidance" icon="lightbulb" href="/workflows/agentic-guidance">
    Follow-up hints for multi-step exploration.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Semantic Search" icon="magnifying-glass" href="/features/semantic-search">
    Write better queries.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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