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apply_patch tool

Apply file changes using a structured patch format. This is ideal for multi-file or multi-hunk edits where a single edit call would be brittle. The tool accepts a single input string that wraps one or more file operations: 
*** Begin Patch
*** Add File: path/to/file.txt
+line 1
+line 2
*** Update File: src/app.ts
@@
-old line
+new line
*** Delete File: obsolete.txt
*** End Patch

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Parameters

  • input (required): Full patch contents including *** Begin Patch and *** End Patch.

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Notes

  • Patch paths support relative paths (from the workspace directory) and absolute paths.
  • tools.exec.applyPatch.workspaceOnly defaults to true (workspace-contained). Set it to false only if you intentionally want apply_patch to write/delete outside the workspace directory.
  • Use *** Move to: within an *** Update File: hunk to rename files.
  • *** End of File marks an EOF-only insert when needed.
  • Experimental and disabled by default. Enable with tools.exec.applyPatch.enabled.
  • OpenAI-only (including OpenAI Codex). Optionally gate by model via tools.exec.applyPatch.allowModels.
  • Config is only under tools.exec.

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Example

{
  "tool": "apply_patch",
  "input": "*** Begin Patch\n*** Update File: src/index.ts\n@@\n-const foo = 1\n+const foo = 2\n*** End Patch"
}