MCP Tools
AIDE exposes 34 MCP tools organized into 10 groups. All tools are prefixed aide__ when accessed by the AI (e.g., aide__memory_search).
Memory Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
memory_search | Full-text fuzzy search across memories |
memory_list | List memories, optionally filtered by category |
memory_search
Searches stored memories using Bleve full-text search with:
- Standard word matching (case-insensitive)
- Fuzzy matching for typos (1 edit distance)
- Prefix matching via edge n-grams (2-15 chars)
- Substring matching via n-grams (3-8 chars)
Parameters: query (string), category (optional), limit (optional, default 10)
memory_list
Returns all memories, optionally filtered by category. Results include timestamps — prefer most recent when values conflict.
Parameters: category (optional: learning, decision, issue, discovery, blocker), limit (optional, default 50)
Decision Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
decision_get | Get the current decision for a topic |
decision_list | List all recorded decisions |
decision_history | Full chronological history for a topic |
decision_get
Returns the latest (current) decision for a topic. Decisions are append-only — the most recent entry supersedes all previous versions.
Parameters: topic (string, kebab-case)
decision_list
Returns a summary of all decision topics with their current values. Call this first to discover what topics exist.
decision_history
Returns all versions of a decision in chronological order. Useful for understanding why a decision changed.
Parameters: topic (string)
State Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
state_get | Get a state value (global or per-agent) |
state_list | List all state values |
state_get
Retrieves a state value. Common keys: mode, modelTier, activeSkill.
Parameters: key (string), agent_id (optional)
state_list
Returns all current state entries including global state and per-agent state (prefixed with agent:<id>:).
Parameters: agent_id (optional, to filter)
Message Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
message_send | Send a message to another agent or broadcast |
message_list | List messages for an agent (auto-prunes expired) |
message_ack | Acknowledge a message as read |
message_send
Sends inter-agent messages. Types: status, request, response, blocker, completion, handoff.
Parameters: from (string), content (string, max 2000 chars), to (optional, omit for broadcast), type (optional), ttl_seconds (optional, default 3600)
message_list
Returns unread messages for an agent. Expired messages (past TTL) are automatically pruned.
Parameters: agent_id (string), include_read (optional boolean)
message_ack
Marks a message as read so it won't appear in future message_list calls.
Parameters: message_id (integer), agent_id (string)
Code Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
code_search | Search indexed symbol definitions |
code_symbols | List all symbols in a file |
code_references | Find all call sites of a symbol |
code_stats | Get index statistics |
code_outline | Get collapsed file outline |
code_top_references | Rank symbols by reference count |
code_read_check | Check if a file is indexed and unchanged |
code_search
Searches symbol definitions (functions, methods, classes, interfaces, types) using Bleve full-text search. Supports filtering by kind, language, and file path.
Parameters: query (string), kind (optional: function, method, class, interface, type), lang (optional), file (optional), limit (optional, default 20)
code_symbols
Lists all indexed symbols from a specific file. If the file isn't indexed yet, it will be parsed on-demand.
Parameters: file (string)
code_references
Finds all call sites and usages of a symbol. Filter by reference kind (call, type_ref) and file path.
Parameters: symbol (string), kind (optional), file (optional), limit (optional, default 50)
code_stats
Returns the number of indexed files, symbols, and references. Use to check if the codebase has been indexed.
code_outline
Returns a collapsed file outline with signatures preserved and function/method/class bodies replaced by { ... }. Shows ~5-15% of tokens vs the full file. Line numbers are preserved for targeted reads.
Parameters: file (string), keep_comments (optional boolean)
code_top_references
Ranks symbols by how many times they are referenced across the codebase. Useful for finding core APIs, shared utilities, and high-impact change targets.
Parameters: kind (optional: function, method, class, interface, type), limit (optional, default 25)
code_read_check
Checks whether a file is indexed and whether its content has changed since last indexing. Returns freshness status and an estimated token count so you can decide whether to use code_outline or code_symbols instead of re-reading the full file.
Parameters: file (string)
Response fields: indexed, fresh, symbols, outline_available, estimated_tokens
Token Tools (Experimental)
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
token_stats | Get estimated token usage statistics |
token_stats
Returns aggregated estimates of tokens consumed and saved by aide features. All values are estimates based on calibrated per-language character ratios — use for relative comparisons, not exact cost accounting.
Parameters: session_id (optional, filter by session)
Response fields: total_read, total_saved, event_count, by_tool, by_saving_type, sessions
Findings Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
findings_search | Full-text search across findings |
findings_list | List findings by filter |
findings_stats | Codebase health overview |
findings_accept | Accept (dismiss) findings |
findings_search
Full-text search across static analysis findings.
Parameters: query (string), limit (optional)
findings_list
List findings filtered by analyser, severity, file, or category.
Parameters: analyser (optional), severity (optional), file (optional), category (optional), include_accepted (optional boolean)
findings_stats
Returns a codebase health overview with counts by analyser and severity.
Parameters: include_accepted (optional boolean)
findings_accept
Accepts (dismisses) findings so they're hidden from future output. Can accept by ID or by filter.
Parameters: ids (optional array), analyser (optional), severity (optional), file (optional), all (optional boolean)
Task Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
task_create | Create a new swarm task |
task_get | Get full task details |
task_list | List tasks by status |
task_claim | Atomically claim a task |
task_complete | Mark a task as done |
task_delete | Delete a task |
task_create
Creates a new task (starts as pending).
Parameters: title (string), description (optional string)
task_get
Returns full task details including status, assigned agent, and result.
Parameters: id (string)
task_list
Lists tasks, optionally filtered by status.
Parameters: status (optional: pending, claimed, done, blocked)
task_claim
Atomically claims a pending task for an agent. Prevents two agents from claiming the same task.
Parameters: task_id (string), agent_id (string)
task_complete
Marks a claimed task as complete with a result summary.
Parameters: task_id (string), result (string)
task_delete
Deletes a task by ID.
Parameters: id (string)
Survey Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
survey_search | Full-text search across survey entries |
survey_list | Browse entries by analyzer, kind, or file |
survey_stats | Aggregate counts by analyzer and kind |
survey_run | Execute analyzers to populate survey data |
survey_graph | Build call graph for a symbol |
survey_search
Full-text search across codebase survey entries (module names, tech stack, entry points).
Parameters: query (string), analyzer (optional: topology, entrypoints, churn), kind (optional: module, entrypoint, dependency, tech_stack, churn, submodule, workspace, arch_pattern), file (optional), limit (optional, default 20)
survey_list
Browse survey entries with optional filters. No search query needed.
Parameters: analyzer (optional), kind (optional), file (optional), limit (optional, default 100)
survey_stats
Returns total survey entry count with breakdowns by analyzer and kind. Call this first when asked about codebase structure.
survey_run
Runs survey analyzers to discover codebase structure. Three analyzers: topology (modules, workspaces, tech stack), entrypoints (main functions, HTTP handlers), churn (git history hotspots).
Parameters: analyzer (optional: topology, entrypoints, churn -- omit to run all)
survey_graph
Builds a call graph for a symbol showing callers, callees, or both. Uses BFS traversal over the code index.
Parameters: symbol (string), direction (optional: both, callers, callees -- default both), max_depth (optional, default 2), max_nodes (optional, default 50)
Instance Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
instance_info | Get identity and config of this instance |
instance_info
Returns the resolved project root, working directory, version info, database path, gRPC socket path, operating mode, and process ID. Useful for debugging multi-instance or worktree issues.