Limit grep result (#407)

* feat: implement result limiting for GrepTool to prevent context overflow

docs/tools/file-system.md

@@ -89,10 +89,13 @@ Qwen Code provides a comprehensive suite of tools for interacting with the local
   - `pattern` (string, required): The regular expression (regex) to search for (e.g., `"function\s+myFunction"`).
   - `path` (string, optional): The absolute path to the directory to search within. Defaults to the current working directory.
   - `include` (string, optional): A glob pattern to filter which files are searched (e.g., `"*.js"`, `"src/**/*.{ts,tsx}"`). If omitted, searches most files (respecting common ignores).
+  - `maxResults` (number, optional): Maximum number of matches to return to prevent context overflow (default: 20, max: 100). Use lower values for broad searches, higher for specific searches.
 - **Behavior:**
   - Uses `git grep` if available in a Git repository for speed; otherwise, falls back to system `grep` or a JavaScript-based search.
   - Returns a list of matching lines, each prefixed with its file path (relative to the search directory) and line number.
+  - Limits results to a maximum of 20 matches by default to prevent context overflow. When results are truncated, shows a clear warning with guidance on refining searches.
 - **Output (`llmContent`):** A formatted string of matches, e.g.:
+
   ```
   Found 3 matches for pattern "myFunction" in path "." (filter: "*.ts"):
   ---
@@ -103,9 +106,36 @@ Qwen Code provides a comprehensive suite of tools for interacting with the local
   File: src/index.ts
   L5: import { myFunction } from './utils';
   ---
+
+  WARNING: Results truncated to prevent context overflow. To see more results:
+  - Use a more specific pattern to reduce matches
+  - Add file filters with the 'include' parameter (e.g., "*.js", "src/**")
+  - Specify a narrower 'path' to search in a subdirectory
+  - Increase 'maxResults' parameter if you need more matches (current: 20)
   ```
+
 - **Confirmation:** No.
 
+### `search_file_content` examples
+
+Search for a pattern with default result limiting:
+
+```
+search_file_content(pattern="function\s+myFunction", path="src")
+```
+
+Search for a pattern with custom result limiting:
+
+```
+search_file_content(pattern="function", path="src", maxResults=50)
+```
+
+Search for a pattern with file filtering and custom result limiting:
+
+```
+search_file_content(pattern="function", include="*.js", maxResults=10)
+```
+
 ## 6. `replace` (Edit)
 
 `replace` replaces text within a file. By default, replaces a single occurrence, but can replace multiple occurrences when `expected_replacements` is specified. This tool is designed for precise, targeted changes and requires significant context around the `old_string` to ensure it modifies the correct location.

packages/core/src/tools/grep.test.ts

@@ -439,4 +439,84 @@ describe('GrepTool', () => {
       expect(invocation.getDescription()).toBe("'testPattern' within ./");
     });
   });
+
+  describe('Result limiting', () => {
+    beforeEach(async () => {
+      // Create many test files with matches to test limiting
+      for (let i = 1; i <= 30; i++) {
+        const fileName = `test${i}.txt`;
+        const content = `This is test file ${i} with the pattern testword in it.`;
+        await fs.writeFile(path.join(tempRootDir, fileName), content);
+      }
+    });
+
+    it('should limit results to default 20 matches', async () => {
+      const params: GrepToolParams = { pattern: 'testword' };
+      const invocation = grepTool.build(params);
+      const result = await invocation.execute(abortSignal);
+
+      expect(result.llmContent).toContain('Found 20 matches');
+      expect(result.llmContent).toContain(
+        'showing first 20 of 30+ total matches',
+      );
+      expect(result.llmContent).toContain('WARNING: Results truncated');
+      expect(result.returnDisplay).toContain(
+        'Found 20 matches (truncated from 30+)',
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should respect custom maxResults parameter', async () => {
+      const params: GrepToolParams = { pattern: 'testword', maxResults: 5 };
+      const invocation = grepTool.build(params);
+      const result = await invocation.execute(abortSignal);
+
+      expect(result.llmContent).toContain('Found 5 matches');
+      expect(result.llmContent).toContain(
+        'showing first 5 of 30+ total matches',
+      );
+      expect(result.llmContent).toContain('current: 5');
+      expect(result.returnDisplay).toContain(
+        'Found 5 matches (truncated from 30+)',
+      );
+    });
+
+    it('should not show truncation warning when all results fit', async () => {
+      const params: GrepToolParams = { pattern: 'testword', maxResults: 50 };
+      const invocation = grepTool.build(params);
+      const result = await invocation.execute(abortSignal);
+
+      expect(result.llmContent).toContain('Found 30 matches');
+      expect(result.llmContent).not.toContain('WARNING: Results truncated');
+      expect(result.llmContent).not.toContain('showing first');
+      expect(result.returnDisplay).toBe('Found 30 matches');
+    });
+
+    it('should validate maxResults parameter', () => {
+      const invalidParams = [
+        { pattern: 'test', maxResults: 0 },
+        { pattern: 'test', maxResults: 101 },
+        { pattern: 'test', maxResults: -1 },
+        { pattern: 'test', maxResults: 1.5 },
+      ];
+
+      invalidParams.forEach((params) => {
+        const error = grepTool.validateToolParams(params as GrepToolParams);
+        expect(error).toBeTruthy(); // Just check that validation fails
+        expect(error).toMatch(/maxResults|must be/); // Check it's about maxResults validation
+      });
+    });
+
+    it('should accept valid maxResults parameter', () => {
+      const validParams = [
+        { pattern: 'test', maxResults: 1 },
+        { pattern: 'test', maxResults: 50 },
+        { pattern: 'test', maxResults: 100 },
+      ];
+
+      validParams.forEach((params) => {
+        const error = grepTool.validateToolParams(params);
+        expect(error).toBeNull();
+      });
+    });
+  });
 });

packages/core/src/tools/grep.ts

@@ -43,6 +43,11 @@ export interface GrepToolParams {
    * File pattern to include in the search (e.g. "*.js", "*.{ts,tsx}")
    */
   include?: string;
+
+  /**
+   * Maximum number of matches to return (optional, defaults to 20)
+   */
+  maxResults?: number;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -124,6 +129,10 @@ class GrepToolInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
 
       // Collect matches from all search directories
       let allMatches: GrepMatch[] = [];
+      const maxResults = this.params.maxResults ?? 20; // Default to 20 results
+      let totalMatchesFound = 0;
+      let searchTruncated = false;
+
       for (const searchDir of searchDirectories) {
         const matches = await this.performGrepSearch({
           pattern: this.params.pattern,
@@ -132,6 +141,8 @@ class GrepToolInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
           signal,
         });
 
+        totalMatchesFound += matches.length;
+
         // Add directory prefix if searching multiple directories
         if (searchDirectories.length > 1) {
           const dirName = path.basename(searchDir);
@@ -140,8 +151,21 @@ class GrepToolInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
           });
         }
 
+        // Apply result limiting
+        const remainingSlots = maxResults - allMatches.length;
+        if (remainingSlots <= 0) {
+          searchTruncated = true;
+          break;
+        }
+
+        if (matches.length > remainingSlots) {
+          allMatches = allMatches.concat(matches.slice(0, remainingSlots));
+          searchTruncated = true;
+          break;
+        } else {
           allMatches = allMatches.concat(matches);
         }
+      }
 
       let searchLocationDescription: string;
       if (searchDirAbs === null) {
@@ -176,7 +200,14 @@ class GrepToolInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
       const matchCount = allMatches.length;
       const matchTerm = matchCount === 1 ? 'match' : 'matches';
 
-      let llmContent = `Found ${matchCount} ${matchTerm} for pattern "${this.params.pattern}" ${searchLocationDescription}${this.params.include ? ` (filter: "${this.params.include}")` : ''}:
+      // Build the header with truncation info if needed
+      let headerText = `Found ${matchCount} ${matchTerm} for pattern "${this.params.pattern}" ${searchLocationDescription}${this.params.include ? ` (filter: "${this.params.include}")` : ''}`;
+
+      if (searchTruncated) {
+        headerText += ` (showing first ${matchCount} of ${totalMatchesFound}+ total matches)`;
+      }
+
+      let llmContent = `${headerText}:
 ---
 `;
 
@@ -189,9 +220,23 @@ class GrepToolInvocation extends BaseToolInvocation<
         llmContent += '---\n';
       }
 
+      // Add truncation guidance if results were limited
+      if (searchTruncated) {
+        llmContent += `\nWARNING: Results truncated to prevent context overflow. To see more results:
+- Use a more specific pattern to reduce matches
+- Add file filters with the 'include' parameter (e.g., "*.js", "src/**")
+- Specify a narrower 'path' to search in a subdirectory
+- Increase 'maxResults' parameter if you need more matches (current: ${maxResults})`;
+      }
+
+      let displayText = `Found ${matchCount} ${matchTerm}`;
+      if (searchTruncated) {
+        displayText += ` (truncated from ${totalMatchesFound}+)`;
+      }
+
       return {
         llmContent: llmContent.trim(),
-        returnDisplay: `Found ${matchCount} ${matchTerm}`,
+        returnDisplay: displayText,
       };
     } catch (error) {
       console.error(`Error during GrepLogic execution: ${error}`);
@@ -567,6 +612,13 @@ export class GrepTool extends BaseDeclarativeTool<GrepToolParams, ToolResult> {
               "Optional: A glob pattern to filter which files are searched (e.g., '*.js', '*.{ts,tsx}', 'src/**'). If omitted, searches all files (respecting potential global ignores).",
             type: 'string',
           },
+          maxResults: {
+            description:
+              'Optional: Maximum number of matches to return to prevent context overflow (default: 20, max: 100). Use lower values for broad searches, higher for specific searches.',
+            type: 'number',
+            minimum: 1,
+            maximum: 100,
+          },
         },
         required: ['pattern'],
         type: 'object',
@@ -635,6 +687,17 @@ export class GrepTool extends BaseDeclarativeTool<GrepToolParams, ToolResult> {
       return `Invalid regular expression pattern provided: ${params.pattern}. Error: ${getErrorMessage(error)}`;
     }
 
+    // Validate maxResults if provided
+    if (params.maxResults !== undefined) {
+      if (
+        !Number.isInteger(params.maxResults) ||
+        params.maxResults < 1 ||
+        params.maxResults > 100
+      ) {
+        return `maxResults must be an integer between 1 and 100, got: ${params.maxResults}`;
+      }
+    }
+
     // Only validate path if one is provided
     if (params.path) {
       try {