# find-definition

> Symbol kind (class, method, function, variable) - helps narrow results

- Author: joel_aniol-admin
- Repository: JoelCampoint/claude_lsp
- Version: 20260125221258
- Stars: 0
- Forks: 0
- Last Updated: 2026-02-06
- Source: https://github.com/JoelCampoint/claude_lsp
- Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@JoelCampoint/claude_lsp~find-definition:20260125221258

---

---
name: find-definition
description: USE THIS PROACTIVELY whenever you need to find or understand code - don't wait for the user to ask! Use it when looking for a class, function, or method definition. Much faster than Grep/Glob. Example - user says "modify UserService" → use find_definition("UserService") first.
arguments:
  - name: symbol
    description: The symbol name to find (e.g., "MyClass", "myFunction")
    required: true
  - name: file
    description: File where the symbol is DEFINED (not where it's used/imported)
    required: false
  - name: kind
    description: Symbol kind (class, method, function, variable) - helps narrow results
    required: false
---

# Find Definition

Use the LSP `find_definition` tool to locate where a symbol is defined.

## Important Limitation

⚠️ **The file_path must be the file where the symbol is DEFINED, not where it's imported/used.**

| Scenario | Works? |
|----------|--------|
| Find `show` method in `ImageController.php` (defined there) | ✅ Yes |
| Find `View` class in `ImageController.php` (only imported) | ❌ No |
| Find `View` class in `View.php` (defined there) | ✅ Yes |

## Steps

1. Determine where the symbol is **defined**:
   - For local methods/functions: use the current file
   - For imported classes: find the source file first (check `use` statements or use Glob)

2. Use `mcp__cclsp__find_definition` with:
   - `symbol_name`: "{{symbol}}"
   - `file_path`: the file where the symbol is **defined**
   {{#if kind}}
   - `symbol_kind`: "{{kind}}" (optional: class, method, function, variable)
   {{/if}}

3. Report the definition location with file path and line number.

4. Optionally read a few lines around the definition to show context.

## Example: Finding a Local Method

```
User: "Where is the show method defined?"
→ Use find_definition with file where it's defined
→ Found: ImageController.php:160
```

## Example: Finding an Imported Class

```
User: "Where is the View class defined?"

Step 1: Check imports in current file
  use Core\View;  → It's in Core namespace

Step 2: Find the file
  Glob for: **/View.php in core/ directory
  → Found: core/View.php

Step 3: Now use find_definition
  file_path: core/View.php
  symbol_name: View
  → Found definition at line 8
```

## Example Output

```
Found definition of `View`:
  📍 core/View.php:8

class View {
    private static $data = [];
    ...
}
```

## Parameters

| Parameter | Required | Description |
|-----------|----------|-------------|
| `symbol_name` | ✅ Yes | The symbol to find |
| `file_path` | ✅ Yes | File where symbol is **defined** |
| `symbol_kind` | Optional | Helps narrow: class, method, function, variable |

## Fallback

If LSP fails (unsupported language, server error), fall back to:
```
Grep for: "class {{symbol}}" or "function {{symbol}}"
```
But warn the user that results may be less accurate.

## Pro Tip

For imported symbols, combine with `find_references` first - it can show where the symbol is defined AND used, helping you locate the source file.