codemap_move

Move or rename a file or directory to a new location

file-operationsmoverenamerefactor

Parameters

NameTypeRequiredDescription
sourcestring✅ RequiredSource file or directory path
destinationstring✅ RequiredDestination file or directory path

Usage Examples

MCP Usage (for AI Agents like Claude)

json
{
  "name": "codemap_move",
  "arguments": {
    "source": "src/oldName.ts",
    "destination": "src/newName.ts"
  }
}

Example Output

JSON Response

json
{
  "success": true,
  "message": "Directory moved successfully",
  "source": "src/legacy/authentication",
  "destination": "archive/auth-old",
  "filesmoved": 8,
  "timestamp": "2026-04-11T14:32:10.456Z"
}
ℹ️When to Use This Tool
    Use codemap_move when you need to:
  • Rename files to better reflect their purpose or updated functionality
  • Reorganize project structure by moving files between directories
  • Archive deprecated or legacy code to keep active codebase clean
  • Migrate files to new locations as part of a refactoring effort
  • Consolidate related files into more logical directory groupings
💡Common Patterns
Safe Refactoring Pattern
1. codemap_get_dependencies to check what imports the file
2. codemap_move to relocate the file
3. Update all import statements in dependent files
4. Run tests to verify nothing broke


Always check dependencies before moving files to understand the impact on your codebase.

Directory Reorganization Pattern
1. Plan new structure on paper
2. codemap_move directories one at a time
3. Update import paths after each move
4. Test incrementally to catch issues early


Move directories systematically rather than all at once to minimize breakage.
💡Pro Tips
  • Modern naming: codemap_move is the modern, explicit name - it works identically to the legacy codemap_rename tool
  • Check dependencies first: Use codemap_get_dependencies to see what files import the one you're about to move
  • Update imports: Remember that moving files breaks import paths - update them manually or use find-and-replace tools
  • Automatic backup: CodeMap creates automatic backups before move operations, so you can rollback if needed using codemap_rollback
  • Search impact: Use codemap_search_in_files with the old file path to find all files that reference it
Best Practices
  • Always check dependencies before moving files with codemap_get_dependencies
  • Update import paths immediately after moving files to prevent build errors
  • Run tests after reorganizing to catch any broken references
  • Move related files together to maintain logical groupings
  • Use descriptive directory names that reflect the purpose of files within them
  • Consider using search-and-replace to batch update import statements
⚠️Common Mistakes
Mistake: Moving files without checking what imports them first
Instead: Run codemap_get_dependencies to see all files that reference the one you're moving, then update those import paths

Mistake: Moving many files at once without testing
Instead: Move files incrementally, test after each move, and fix imports immediately to prevent accumulating errors

Mistake: Forgetting that move operations are permanent (source is deleted)
Instead: If you want to keep both versions, use codemap_copy first, then delete the original manually after verification

Mistake: Moving files with relative paths that depend on their location
Instead: Review the file's imports and exports - relative paths like ../utils will break when the file moves to a different directory depth

Mistake: Not updating tests that reference the old file path
Instead: Search your test files for references to the old path and update them alongside your source code imports

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