Key points
- Grep searches file contents for patterns such as function names, error messages, or imports.
- Glob matches file paths by name or extension pattern (for example **/*.test.tsx).
- Read and Write operate on full files; Edit makes targeted changes using unique text matching.
- When Edit fails because the anchor is not unique, fall back to Read plus Write.
- Codebase understanding is built incrementally: Grep for entry points, then Read to follow imports.
Common misconceptions
- "Glob can search inside files." It matches paths only.
- "Edit will eventually work if retried." The same non-unique text fails the same way.
- "Reading the whole repository first gives the best answers." It exhausts context and buries the relevant parts.
Watch for
Reading every file before answering, and single-name searches that miss functions re-exported under aliases.
Practice Task 2.5
Start with the free 10-question check to see where you stand across all five domains. In CCA Prep Studio, 56 practice items cover this task, each tracked toward your mastery score.