refactor: Remove focus_areas parameter from agent tool and related components (#541)

Removed the focus_areas parameter throughout the automation plugin to simplify
the interface and reduce parameter complexity. Users can achieve similar
functionality by using the constraints parameter in workflows when needed.

Changes include:
- Remove focus_areas from agent tool input schema
- Update ExploreAgent to remove focus_areas from prepare_context() and explore()
- Remove focus_areas from agent_step workflow step
- Remove focus_areas from ai_split operation and prompt building
- Update ai_exploration_workflow.yaml to remove focus_areas input
- Update documentation to reflect parameter removal
- Update all related tests to remove focus_areas assertions
- All 176 automation tests pass successfully

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.com/claude-code)

Co-authored-by: Claude <[email protected]>

Author: plusplusoneplusplus

plugins/automation/README.md

@@ -110,7 +110,6 @@ All operations use a consistent 3-parameter structure:
    - `session_id`: Session ID for conversation context
    - `model`: Model to use (e.g., "haiku", "gpt-4")
    - `cli_type`: CLI to use ("claude", "codex", "copilot")
-   - `focus_areas`: Array of specific areas to focus on
    - `working_directories`: Array of working directory paths
 
 ### Operations
@@ -270,13 +269,12 @@ The tool maintains session-based agents. Use the same `session_id` in the `conte
 
 ### ExploreAgent Methods
 
-#### `explore(question, codebase_path=None, focus_areas=None)`
+#### `explore(question, codebase_path=None)`
 General exploration method for any codebase question.
 
 ```python
 answer = await agent.explore(
-    "Where is the database connection configured?",
-    focus_areas=["config", "database"]
+    "Where is the database connection configured?"
 )
 ```
 

plugins/automation/agents/explore_agent.py

@@ -180,15 +180,13 @@ def _get_exploration_instructions(self) -> str:
     def prepare_context(
         self,
         codebase_path: Optional[str] = None,
-        focus_areas: Optional[List[str]] = None,
         **kwargs
     ) -> Optional[str]:
         """
         Prepare context for codebase exploration.
 
         Args:
             codebase_path: Path to the codebase root
-            focus_areas: Specific areas or components to focus on
             **kwargs: Additional context parameters
 
         Returns:
@@ -209,11 +207,6 @@ def prepare_context(
         if self.config.cwd:
             context_parts.append(f"**Current Directory**: `{self.config.cwd}`")
 
-        # Add focus areas if provided
-        if focus_areas:
-            areas = "\n".join([f"  - {area}" for area in focus_areas])
-            context_parts.append(f"**Focus Areas**:\n{areas}")
-
         # Add search paths if configured
         if self.explore_config.search_paths:
             paths = "\n".join([f"  - `{p}`" for p in self.explore_config.search_paths])
@@ -228,23 +221,20 @@ async def explore(
         self,
         question: str,
         codebase_path: Optional[str] = None,
-        focus_areas: Optional[List[str]] = None,
     ) -> str:
         """
         Explore the codebase to answer a specific question.
 
         Args:
             question: Question about the codebase
             codebase_path: Path to the codebase root
-            focus_areas: Specific areas to focus on
 
         Returns:
             Answer with code locations and explanations
         """
         return await self.invoke(
             prompt=question,
             codebase_path=codebase_path,
-            focus_areas=focus_areas,
         )
 
     async def find_implementation(

plugins/automation/tests/test_agent_tool.py

@@ -332,7 +332,6 @@ async def test_execute_with_full_context(self):
                     "session_id": "custom-session",
                     "model": "gpt-4",
                     "cli_type": "codex",
-                    "focus_areas": ["auth", "database"],
                     "working_directories": ["/project/src"]
                 }
             })
@@ -348,10 +347,6 @@ async def test_execute_with_full_context(self):
             assert call_args.kwargs["codebase_path"] == "/project"
             assert call_args.kwargs["working_directories"] == ["/project/src"]
 
-            # Verify focus_areas passed to explore
-            explore_call_args = mock_agent.explore.call_args
-            assert explore_call_args.kwargs["focus_areas"] == ["auth", "database"]
-
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_execute_invalid_operation(self):
         """Test execution with invalid operation"""

plugins/automation/tests/test_ai_split_operation.py

@@ -47,7 +47,6 @@ def test_build_split_prompt_basic(self):
         prompt = operation._build_split_prompt(
             goal="Understand authentication",
             codebase_path=None,
-            focus_areas=[],
             constraints=None,
             context="",
             min_tasks=2,
@@ -67,7 +66,6 @@ def test_build_split_prompt_comprehensive(self):
         prompt = operation._build_split_prompt(
             goal="Understand security",
             codebase_path="/path/to/code",
-            focus_areas=["authentication", "authorization"],
             constraints="Focus on backend only",
             context="Legacy system",
             min_tasks=3,
@@ -76,7 +74,6 @@ def test_build_split_prompt_comprehensive(self):
 
         assert "Understand security" in prompt
         assert "/path/to/code" in prompt
-        assert "authentication" in prompt
         assert "Focus on backend only" in prompt
         assert "Legacy system" in prompt
 
@@ -273,19 +270,18 @@ def test_parse_ai_response_valid(self):
         assert tasks[1]["index"] == 1
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
-    async def test_execute_with_focus_areas(self):
-        """Test execution with focus areas."""
+    async def test_execute_with_constraints(self):
+        """Test execution with constraints."""
         config = {"max_tasks": 5}
         inputs = {
             "goal": "Understand system",
-            "focus_areas": ["performance", "security"],
-            "constraints": "Backend only"
+            "constraints": "Backend only, focus on security"
         }
 
         operation = AISplitOperation(config, inputs)
 
         mock_response = {
-            "reasoning": "Focused on performance and security",
+            "reasoning": "Focused on backend security",
             "tasks": [
                 {"title": "Security", "query": "Security aspects", "type": "question", "priority": "high"}
             ]
@@ -296,11 +292,9 @@ async def test_execute_with_focus_areas(self):
 
             result = await operation.execute()
 
-            # Verify focus areas were included in the call
+            # Verify constraints were included in the call
             call_args = mock_call.call_args[0][0]  # Get prompt
-            assert "performance" in call_args
-            assert "security" in call_args
-            assert "Backend only" in call_args
+            assert "Backend only, focus on security" in call_args
 
 
 class TestAISplitIntegration:
@@ -318,7 +312,7 @@ async def test_full_ai_split_execution(self):
         inputs = {
             "goal": "Understand authentication flow in the application",
             "codebase_path": "/path/to/code",
-            "focus_areas": ["security", "user management"]
+            "constraints": "Focus on security and user management"
         }
 
         operation = AISplitOperation(config, inputs)

plugins/automation/tests/test_explore_agent.py

@@ -143,19 +143,19 @@ def test_prepare_context_with_working_directories(self):
         assert "/dir2" in context
         assert "Working Directories" in context
 
-    def test_prepare_context_with_focus_areas(self):
-        """Test context preparation with focus areas"""
-        config = ExploreAgentConfig()
+    def test_prepare_context_with_search_paths(self):
+        """Test context preparation with search paths"""
+        config = ExploreAgentConfig(
+            search_paths=["/src/auth", "/src/db"]
+        )
         agent = ExploreAgent(config)
 
-        context = agent.prepare_context(
-            focus_areas=["authentication", "database layer"]
-        )
+        context = agent.prepare_context()
 
         assert context is not None
-        assert "authentication" in context
-        assert "database layer" in context
-        assert "Focus Areas" in context
+        assert "/src/auth" in context
+        assert "/src/db" in context
+        assert "Search Paths" in context
 
     def test_prepare_context_comprehensive(self):
         """Test context preparation with all parameters"""
@@ -167,16 +167,13 @@ def test_prepare_context_comprehensive(self):
         agent = ExploreAgent(config)
 
         context = agent.prepare_context(
-            codebase_path="/work",
-            focus_areas=["api", "models"]
+            codebase_path="/work"
         )
 
         assert context is not None
         assert "/work" in context
         assert "/work/current" in context
         assert "/work/src" in context
-        assert "api" in context
-        assert "models" in context
 
     @pytest.mark.asyncio
     async def test_explore(self):

plugins/automation/tools/agent_tool.py

@@ -82,11 +82,6 @@ def input_schema(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
                             "description": "CLI type: claude, codex, or copilot",
                             "enum": ["claude", "codex", "copilot"],
                         },
-                        "focus_areas": {
-                            "type": "array",
-                            "items": {"type": "string"},
-                            "description": "Specific areas to focus on",
-                        },
                         "working_directories": {
                             "type": "array",
                             "items": {"type": "string"},
@@ -158,7 +153,6 @@ async def execute_function(
             # Extract context (optional)
             context = parameters.get("context", {})
             codebase_path = context.get("codebase_path")
-            focus_areas = context.get("focus_areas")
             cli_type_str = context.get("cli_type", "claude")
             model = context.get("model")
             session_id = context.get("session_id")
@@ -183,7 +177,6 @@ async def execute_function(
                 result = await agent.explore(
                     question=prompt,
                     codebase_path=codebase_path,
-                    focus_areas=focus_areas,
                 )
 
             elif operation == AgentOperationType.FIND_IMPLEMENTATION:

plugins/automation/workflows/examples/ai_exploration_workflow.yaml

@@ -27,12 +27,6 @@ workflow:
       required: true
       description: Path to the codebase to explore
 
-    focus_areas:
-      type: array
-      required: false
-      default: []
-      description: Optional areas to focus on (e.g., ["security", "performance"])
-
     constraints:
       type: string
       required: false
@@ -64,7 +58,6 @@ workflow:
       inputs:
         goal: "{{ inputs.goal }}"
         codebase_path: "{{ inputs.codebase_path }}"
-        focus_areas: "{{ inputs.focus_areas }}"
         constraints: "{{ inputs.constraints }}"
       outputs:
         tasks: result.tasks

plugins/automation/workflows/steps/agent_step.py

@@ -227,7 +227,6 @@ async def _execute_explore_operation(
             ValueError: If operation not supported
         """
         codebase_path = inputs.get("codebase_path")
-        focus_areas = inputs.get("focus_areas")
 
         if self.operation == "explore":
             question = inputs.get("question")
@@ -236,7 +235,6 @@ async def _execute_explore_operation(
             return await agent.explore(
                 question=question,
                 codebase_path=codebase_path,
-                focus_areas=focus_areas,
             )
 
         elif self.operation == "find_implementation":

plugins/automation/workflows/steps/operations/ai_split.py

@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ class AISplitOperation(BaseOperation):
     Inputs:
         - goal: High-level exploration goal or question
         - codebase_path: Path to codebase being explored (optional, for context)
-        - focus_areas: Optional list of areas to focus on
         - constraints: Optional constraints (e.g., "focus on security", "prioritize performance")
 
     Returns:
@@ -72,7 +71,6 @@ async def execute(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         """Execute AI-powered task splitting."""
         goal = self.inputs.get("goal")
         codebase_path = self.inputs.get("codebase_path")
-        focus_areas = self.inputs.get("focus_areas", [])
         constraints = self.inputs.get("constraints")
 
         # Get config
@@ -85,7 +83,6 @@ async def execute(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
         prompt = self._build_split_prompt(
             goal=goal,
             codebase_path=codebase_path,
-            focus_areas=focus_areas,
             constraints=constraints,
             context=context,
             min_tasks=min_tasks,
@@ -117,7 +114,6 @@ def _build_split_prompt(
         self,
         goal: str,
         codebase_path: Optional[str],
-        focus_areas: List[str],
         constraints: Optional[str],
         context: str,
         min_tasks: int,
@@ -129,7 +125,6 @@ def _build_split_prompt(
         Args:
             goal: High-level exploration goal
             codebase_path: Path to codebase
-            focus_areas: Areas to focus on
             constraints: Additional constraints
             context: Extra context
             min_tasks: Minimum tasks to generate
@@ -146,9 +141,6 @@ def _build_split_prompt(
         if codebase_path:
             prompt += f"\n**Codebase:** {codebase_path}"
 
-        if focus_areas:
-            prompt += f"\n**Focus Areas:** {', '.join(focus_areas)}"
-
         if constraints:
             prompt += f"\n**Constraints:** {constraints}"