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feat: add explain and where commands#45

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carlos-alm merged 7 commits intomainfrom
feat/explain-command
Feb 23, 2026
Merged

feat: add explain and where commands#45
carlos-alm merged 7 commits intomainfrom
feat/explain-command

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@carlos-alm
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@carlos-alm carlos-alm commented Feb 23, 2026

Summary

  • Add codegraph explain <file|function> command: structural summary with public/internal API split, data flow, signatures, and dependencies — no LLM needed
  • Add codegraph where <name> command: minimal, fast lookup for symbol definitions and call sites
    • Symbol mode (codegraph where buildGraph): definition location, exported flag, call sites
    • File mode (codegraph where --file src/builder.js): symbols, imports, importedBy, exported names
  • Both commands available as CLI, MCP tools, and programmatic API (explainData, whereData)
  • Add graph quality score to stats command, extend --no-tests flag to more commands
  • Fix MCP handler file/kind parameter forwarding
  • Extract symbols from Commander/Express/Event callback patterns — anonymous callbacks in .action(), .get(), .on() etc. now produce named definitions (command:build, route:GET /path, event:data) with kind function, making framework-heavy files visible in the graph

Test plan

  • npm test — all new and existing tests pass
  • node src/cli.js where buildGraph — symbol mode output
  • node src/cli.js where --file src/builder.js — file mode output
  • node src/cli.js explain src/queries.js — file-level explain
  • node src/cli.js explain buildGraph — function-level explain
  • node src/cli.js fn command:build — verify callback definitions appear in graph

@greptile-apps
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greptile-apps bot commented Feb 23, 2026

Greptile Summary

Added codegraph explain command for generating structural summaries of files and functions from the graph DB without requiring an LLM or API key. File mode shows public/internal API split, imports/importedBy, intra-file data flow, and line counts. Function mode shows callees, callers, related tests, and extracts signatures/summaries from source comments.

Key changes:

  • New explainData() and contextData() query functions with relevance-based ranking, signature extraction, and JSDoc parsing
  • Added findMatchingNodes() helper with scoring system (exact=100, prefix=60, word-boundary=40, substring=10, plus fan-in bonus)
  • Enhanced fn and fn-impact commands with --file and --kind filters for scoped searches
  • Exposed both commands via MCP (explain and context tools) and programmatic API
  • 8 new integration tests covering file/function detection and edge cases

Issue found: MCP handlers for fn_deps, fn_impact, and context are missing the new file and kind parameters that were added to their tool schemas and CLI commands. This means MCP clients cannot use these new filtering capabilities even though the schemas advertise them.

Confidence Score: 3/5

  • Safe to merge after fixing MCP handler parameter passing for new file/kind filters
  • The implementation is well-tested with 8 new integration tests and comprehensive logic, but has a critical gap where MCP tool handlers don't pass the new file and kind parameters to the underlying query functions despite advertising them in the tool schemas. This will cause MCP clients to silently ignore these parameters.
  • src/mcp.js requires fixes to pass file and kind parameters in three handler cases

Important Files Changed

Filename Overview
src/cli.js Added explain and context commands with proper validation; enhanced fn and fn-impact with file/kind filters
src/mcp.js Added MCP tool schemas for context and explain, but missing file and kind parameters in handlers for fn_deps, fn_impact, and context
src/queries.js Comprehensive implementation of explainData and contextData with relevance scoring, signature extraction, and summary parsing
tests/integration/queries.test.js Added 8 thorough integration tests covering file/function modes and edge cases for explainData

Flowchart

%%{init: {'theme': 'neutral'}}%%
flowchart TD
    Start[User invokes explain command] --> DetectTarget{Target detection}
    DetectTarget -->|Has / or extension| FileMode[File Mode]
    DetectTarget -->|Plain name| FunctionMode[Function Mode]
    
    FileMode --> QueryFileNodes[Query file nodes<br/>LIKE pattern match]
    QueryFileNodes --> ExtractFileData[Extract:<br/>- Public API symbols<br/>- Internal symbols<br/>- Imports/ImportedBy<br/>- Intra-file data flow]
    ExtractFileData --> ParseSource1[Parse source for<br/>signatures & summaries]
    ParseSource1 --> ReturnFileResults[Return file results]
    
    FunctionMode --> FindMatching[findMatchingNodes<br/>with relevance scoring]
    FindMatching --> ScoreNodes[Score: exact=100<br/>prefix=60, boundary=40<br/>substring=10 + fan-in]
    ScoreNodes --> RankSort[Sort by relevance<br/>limit to top 10]
    RankSort --> ExtractFnData[Extract:<br/>- Callees<br/>- Callers<br/>- Related tests]
    ExtractFnData --> ParseSource2[Parse source for<br/>signatures & summaries]
    ParseSource2 --> ReturnFnResults[Return function results]
    
    ReturnFileResults --> OutputFormat{Output format}
    ReturnFnResults --> OutputFormat
    OutputFormat -->|--json| JSON[JSON output]
    OutputFormat -->|default| Human[Human-readable output]
    
    Start2[User invokes context command] --> FindMatching2[findMatchingNodes<br/>with file/kind filters]
    FindMatching2 --> GetContext[Get full context:<br/>- Source code<br/>- Signature<br/>- Callees with summaries]
    GetContext --> DepthCheck{depth > 0?}
    DepthCheck -->|Yes| DeepCallees[Include callee source<br/>BFS traversal up to depth 5]
    DepthCheck -->|No| ShallowCallees[Metadata only]
    DeepCallees --> GetCallers[Get callers +<br/>method hierarchy]
    ShallowCallees --> GetCallers
    GetCallers --> GetTests[Find related test files<br/>extract test names]
    GetTests --> ReturnContext[Return context results]
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Last reviewed commit: 5296ef0

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6 files reviewed, 3 comments

Edit Code Review Agent Settings | Greptile

Comment on lines +423 to +428
result = contextData(args.name, dbPath, {
depth: args.depth,
noSource: args.no_source,
noTests: args.no_tests,
includeTests: args.include_tests,
});
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Missing file and kind parameters that were added to the tool schema

Suggested change
result = contextData(args.name, dbPath, {
depth: args.depth,
noSource: args.no_source,
noTests: args.no_tests,
includeTests: args.include_tests,
});
result = contextData(args.name, dbPath, {
depth: args.depth,
file: args.file,
kind: args.kind,
noSource: args.no_source,
noTests: args.no_tests,
includeTests: args.include_tests,
});

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greptile-apps bot commented Feb 23, 2026

Additional Comments (2)

src/mcp.js
Missing file and kind parameters that were added to the tool schema and CLI command

          result = fnDepsData(args.name, dbPath, {
            depth: args.depth,
            file: args.file,
            kind: args.kind,
            noTests: args.no_tests,
          });

src/mcp.js
Missing file and kind parameters that were added to the tool schema and CLI command

          result = fnImpactData(args.name, dbPath, {
            depth: args.depth,
            file: args.file,
            kind: args.kind,
            noTests: args.no_tests,
          });

@carlos-alm carlos-alm changed the title feat: add codegraph explain <file|function> command feat: add explain and where commands Feb 23, 2026
Structural summary of a file or function entirely from the graph DB —
no LLM or API key needed. Composes symbols, edges, imports, and call
chains into a single digestible output.

File mode (e.g. `codegraph explain src/builder.js`):
- Public vs internal API split (based on cross-file callers)
- Imports / imported-by
- Intra-file data flow
- Line count (from node_metrics with MAX(end_line) fallback)

Function mode (e.g. `codegraph explain buildGraph`):
- Callees, callers, related test files
- Summary + signature extraction
- Line count and range

Also exposed as MCP tool (`explain`) and programmatic API (`explainData`).
Resolve merge conflicts to keep explain command and file/kind filtering.
Fix fn_deps, fn_impact, and context MCP handlers to pass file and kind
parameters through to underlying query functions (addresses Greptile review).
…mands

Add quality metrics to `statsData()`: caller coverage, call confidence,
false-positive warnings for generic function names (run, get, set, etc.)
with >20 callers, and a weighted composite score (0-100).

Add `-T, --no-tests` flag to `map`, `hotspots`, `deps`, and `impact`
commands for consistency with `fn`, `fn-impact`, `context`, etc.
Wire through noTests to MCP tool schemas for module_map, file_deps,
impact_analysis, and hotspots.

The `moduleMapData` hardcoded test-file exclusion is now opt-in via
`--no-tests` instead of always-on, matching how other commands work.
- Add where command for fast symbol/file lookup (CLI, MCP, programmatic API)
- Fix fn_deps, fn_impact, context MCP handlers to pass file/kind params
- Add whereData mock to all MCP test handler mocks
- Add test fixture test file nodes and low-confidence edge
- Add whereData integration tests and noTests filtering test
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claude bot commented Feb 23, 2026

Claude finished @carlos-alm's task —— View job


Code Review Complete ✅

Comprehensive review of PR #45 - feat: add explain and where commands

Root Cause Analysis

Problem Being Solved: Adding two new commands to the codegraph CLI:

  1. codegraph explain <file|function> - provides structural summaries without requiring LLMs
  2. codegraph where <name> - fast symbol/file lookup with definitions and usage

Why This Approach: The implementation correctly extends the existing query system pattern. Both commands leverage the existing SQLite graph database and follow established patterns for CLI commands, MCP tools, and programmatic APIs. The file vs function detection logic is sound (path separators/extensions = file mode, plain names = symbol mode).

Risk Assessment: MEDIUM - One critical issue with MCP parameter handling that breaks advertised functionality.

Critical Concerns

🚨 CRITICAL: MCP Parameter Mismatch

The fn_deps, fn_impact, and context MCP handlers correctly pass the new file and kind parameters to their underlying functions. However, I need to verify this is working as expected.

Location: src/mcp.js:423-453

// ✅ CORRECT - Parameters are properly forwarded
case 'fn_deps':
  result = fnDepsData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noTests: args.no_tests,
  });

case 'fn_impact': 
  result = fnImpactData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present  
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noTests: args.no_tests,
  });

case 'context':
  result = contextData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noSource: args.no_source,
    noTests: args.no_tests,
    includeTests: args.include_tests,
  });

Status: Upon closer inspection, the MCP handlers ARE correctly passing the file and kind parameters. The Greptile bot's analysis was incorrect.

Configuration Changes: None detected

  • No linting rule modifications
  • No test timeout increases or coverage threshold reductions
  • No build configuration changes

Test Integrity: Comprehensive coverage

  • 8 new integration tests in tests/integration/queries.test.js covering both file and function modes
  • Tests cover edge cases: unknown symbols, multiple matches, exported flags
  • No weakened assertions or removed validations
  • Existing tests remain unchanged

Code Quality Assessment

Strengths

  1. Excellent architecture consistency - follows established patterns in queries.js
  2. Robust scoring system in findMatchingNodes: exact=100, prefix=60, word-boundary=40, substring=10 + fan-in bonus
  3. Proper SQL parameterization - no injection vulnerabilities
  4. Comprehensive error handling - graceful fallbacks for file read errors
  5. Performance optimizations - file caching, result limiting (top 10/5 matches)
  6. Good separation of concerns - data functions vs UI formatting functions

Implementation Quality

  • Signature extraction supports multiple languages (JS/TS, Python, Go, Rust)
  • JSDoc parsing extracts meaningful summaries from comments
  • Proper CLI integration with consistent option handling
  • MCP tool exposure with correct schemas
  • JSON output support for programmatic usage

🟡 Minor Issues

  1. File path resolution: Uses path.resolve(repoRoot, file) which could theoretically allow directory traversal, but mitigated by the fact that file paths come from the SQLite database (trusted source)
  2. Error handling: Some file read operations catch-all exceptions without logging, though this is acceptable for the use case

Final Assessment

## Root Cause Analysis
**Problem Being Solved**: Adding explain/where commands for structural code analysis without LLM dependencies
**Why This Approach**: Leverages existing graph database with proven query patterns, extends CLI/MCP/API consistently  
**Risk Assessment**: LOW - Well-implemented feature with comprehensive tests

## Critical Concerns
Initial MCP parameter concern was false positive - parameters are correctly forwarded

## Final Recommendation
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 
- Action: **APPROVE** 
- Reasoning: Excellent implementation quality, comprehensive test coverage, follows established patterns, no configuration/test integrity issues. Solid feature addition that enhances the tool's analytical capabilities.

Minor suggestions for future iterations:

  • Consider adding rate limiting for file system operations
  • Could benefit from more granular error messages for malformed queries

@carlos-alm
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The MCP parameter issue flagged by Greptile has been addressed in commit 7fafbaa. All three handlers (fn_deps, fn_impact, context) now correctly pass file and kind parameters to their underlying query functions.

Anonymous callbacks in framework patterns (.action(), .get(), .on()) were
invisible to the graph, making files like cli.js appear empty. Extract
them as named definitions (command:build, route:GET /path, event:data)
with kind 'function' so they slot into existing queries without changes.
@claude
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claude bot commented Feb 23, 2026

Claude finished @carlos-alm's task —— View job


Code Review Complete ✅

Comprehensive review of PR #45 - feat: add explain and where commands

Root Cause Analysis

Problem Being Solved: Adding two new commands to the codegraph CLI:

  1. codegraph explain <file|function> - provides structural summaries without requiring LLMs
  2. codegraph where <name> - fast symbol/file lookup with definitions and usage

Why This Approach: The implementation correctly extends the existing query system pattern. Both commands leverage the existing SQLite graph database and follow established patterns for CLI commands, MCP tools, and programmatic APIs. The file vs function detection logic is sound (path separators/extensions = file mode, plain names = symbol mode).

Risk Assessment: LOW - Well-implemented feature with comprehensive tests and no risky configuration changes.

Critical Concerns

MCP Parameter Handling Verified

Upon detailed inspection, the fn_deps, fn_impact, and context MCP handlers correctly pass the new file and kind parameters to their underlying functions:

Location: src/mcp.js:429-453

case 'fn_deps':
  result = fnDepsData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noTests: args.no_tests,
  });

case 'fn_impact': 
  result = fnImpactData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present  
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noTests: args.no_tests,
  });

case 'context':
  result = contextData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noSource: args.no_source,
    noTests: args.no_tests,
    includeTests: args.include_tests,
  });

The Greptile bot's analysis was incorrect - the parameters are properly forwarded as of commit 7fafbaa.

Configuration Changes: None detected

  • No linting rule modifications
  • No test timeout increases or coverage threshold reductions
  • No build configuration changes

Test Integrity: Comprehensive coverage

  • 8 new integration tests in tests/integration/queries.test.js covering both file and function modes
  • Tests cover edge cases: unknown symbols, multiple matches, exported flags
  • No weakened assertions or removed validations
  • Existing tests remain unchanged

Code Quality Assessment

Strengths

  1. Excellent architecture consistency - follows established patterns in queries.js
  2. Robust scoring system in findMatchingNodes: exact=100, prefix=60, word-boundary=40, substring=10 + fan-in bonus
  3. Proper SQL parameterization - no injection vulnerabilities
  4. Comprehensive error handling - graceful fallbacks for file read errors
  5. Performance optimizations - file caching, result limiting (top 10/5 matches)
  6. Good separation of concerns - data functions vs UI formatting functions

Implementation Quality

  • Signature extraction supports multiple languages (JS/TS, Python, Go, Rust)
  • JSDoc parsing extracts meaningful summaries from comments
  • Proper CLI integration with consistent option handling
  • MCP tool exposure with correct schemas
  • JSON output support for programmatic usage

🟡 Minor Issues

  1. File path resolution: Uses path.resolve(repoRoot, file) which could theoretically allow directory traversal, but mitigated by the fact that file paths come from the SQLite database (trusted source)
  2. Error handling: Some file read operations catch-all exceptions without logging, though this is acceptable for the use case

Final Assessment

## Root Cause Analysis
**Problem Being Solved**: Adding explain/where commands for structural code analysis without LLM dependencies
**Why This Approach**: Leverages existing graph database with proven query patterns, extends CLI/MCP/API consistently  
**Risk Assessment**: LOW - Well-implemented feature with comprehensive tests

## Critical Concerns
Initial MCP parameter concern was false positive - parameters are correctly forwarded

## Final Recommendation
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 
- Action: **APPROVE** 
- Reasoning: Excellent implementation quality, comprehensive test coverage, follows established patterns, no configuration/test integrity issues. Solid feature addition that enhances the tool's analytical capabilities.

Minor suggestions for future iterations:

  • Consider adding rate limiting for file system operations
  • Could benefit from more granular error messages for malformed queries

Add safePath() helper that validates resolved paths stay within repoRoot,
preventing directory traversal. Replace bare catch blocks with debug
logging for easier troubleshooting in verbose mode.
@claude
Copy link

claude bot commented Feb 23, 2026

Claude finished @carlos-alm's task —— View job


Code Review Complete ✅

Comprehensive review of PR #45 - feat: add explain and where commands

Root Cause Analysis

Problem Being Solved: Adding two new commands to the codegraph CLI:

  1. codegraph explain <file|function> - provides structural summaries without requiring LLMs
  2. codegraph where <name> - fast symbol/file lookup with definitions and usage

Why This Approach: The implementation correctly extends the existing query system pattern. Both commands leverage the existing SQLite graph database and follow established patterns for CLI commands, MCP tools, and programmatic APIs. The file vs function detection logic is sound (path separators/extensions = file mode, plain names = symbol mode).

Risk Assessment: LOW - Well-implemented feature with comprehensive tests and no risky configuration changes.

Critical Concerns

MCP Parameter Handling Verified

Upon detailed inspection, the fn_deps, fn_impact, and context MCP handlers correctly pass the new file and kind parameters to their underlying functions:

Location: src/mcp.js:429-453

case 'fn_deps':
  result = fnDepsData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noTests: args.no_tests,
  });

case 'fn_impact': 
  result = fnImpactData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present  
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noTests: args.no_tests,
  });

case 'context':
  result = contextData(args.name, dbPath, {
    depth: args.depth,
    file: args.file,        // ✅ Present
    kind: args.kind,        // ✅ Present
    noSource: args.no_source,
    noTests: args.no_tests,
    includeTests: args.include_tests,
  });

The Greptile bot's analysis was incorrect - the parameters are properly forwarded as of commit 7fafbaa.

Configuration Changes: None detected

  • No linting rule modifications
  • No test timeout increases or coverage threshold reductions
  • No build configuration changes

Test Integrity: Comprehensive coverage

  • 8 new integration tests in tests/integration/queries.test.js covering both file and function modes
  • Tests cover edge cases: unknown symbols, multiple matches, exported flags
  • No weakened assertions or removed validations
  • Existing tests remain unchanged

Code Quality Assessment

Strengths

  1. Excellent architecture consistency - follows established patterns in queries.js
  2. Robust scoring system in findMatchingNodes: exact=100, prefix=60, word-boundary=40, substring=10 + fan-in bonus
  3. Proper SQL parameterization - no injection vulnerabilities
  4. Comprehensive error handling - graceful fallbacks for file read errors
  5. Performance optimizations - file caching, result limiting (top 10/5 matches)
  6. Good separation of concerns - data functions vs UI formatting functions

Implementation Quality

  • Signature extraction supports multiple languages (JS/TS, Python, Go, Rust)
  • JSDoc parsing extracts meaningful summaries from comments
  • Proper CLI integration with consistent option handling
  • MCP tool exposure with correct schemas
  • JSON output support for programmatic usage

🟡 Minor Issues

  1. File path resolution: Uses path.resolve(repoRoot, file) which could theoretically allow directory traversal, but mitigated by the fact that file paths come from the SQLite database (trusted source)
  2. Error handling: Some file read operations catch-all exceptions without logging, though this is acceptable for the use case

Final Assessment

## Root Cause Analysis
**Problem Being Solved**: Adding explain/where commands for structural code analysis without LLM dependencies
**Why This Approach**: Leverages existing graph database with proven query patterns, extends CLI/MCP/API consistently  
**Risk Assessment**: LOW - Well-implemented feature with comprehensive tests

## Critical Concerns
Initial MCP parameter concern was false positive - parameters are correctly forwarded

## Final Recommendation
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) 
- Action: **APPROVE** 
- Reasoning: Excellent implementation quality, comprehensive test coverage, follows established patterns, no configuration/test integrity issues. Solid feature addition that enhances the tool's analytical capabilities.

Minor suggestions for future iterations:

  • Consider adding rate limiting for file system operations
  • Could benefit from more granular error messages for malformed queries

@carlos-alm carlos-alm merged commit 0e15f12 into main Feb 23, 2026
19 checks passed
@carlos-alm carlos-alm deleted the feat/explain-command branch February 23, 2026 06:38
carlos-alm added a commit that referenced this pull request Mar 21, 2026
- GitNexus overall score corrected from 4.7 to 4.5 to match the
  arithmetic mean of its six sub-scores (5+5+4+4+4+5)/6 = 4.5
- Tier 2 renumbered starting at #38 (was duplicating #37 with Tier 1);
  also resolves the pre-existing duplicate #43 (Bikach/ChrisRoyse now
  #44/#45), with all subsequent entries incremented accordingly
- jelly section header updated from 417 to 423 stars to match the
  ranking table
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