{"version":"2.1.287","anchor":"read-tool-large-file-guidance-reworded-for-long-single-line","canonical_anchor":"read-tool-large-file-guidance-reworded-for-long-single-line","heading":"Read tool gives better advice for large one-line JSON files","tier":"notice","area":"Elsewhere","scope":null,"heads_up":null,"url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.287\/e\/read-tool-large-file-guidance-reworded-for-long-single-line","release_url":"https:\/\/changelogs.core-directive.com\/v\/2.1.287","markdown":"### Read tool gives better advice for large one-line JSON files\n\nWhen a large JSON file is all on one line, the Read tool now explains why line ranges won't help and suggests using `jq`\n\n**What**\n\nThe Read tool is how Claude opens files. A file can be too large to read in one go. Claude Code then replies with a hint, and that hint is now built from several parts instead of one fixed message telling Claude to use the offset and limit options (which read a range of lines). For JSON files, the hint now explains that a long value, or the whole file, can sit on a single line, so offset and limit cannot split it. It suggests looking into the file with `jq`, a command-line tool for querying JSON.\n\n**Why**\n\nClaude is steered away from retrying line ranges that cannot work and toward a way that does, when it meets a big one-line JSON file.\n\n- Area: Elsewhere\n- Tier: You'll notice\n- Useful: 2\/5\n- Signal: 1\/5"}