# File Operations Guidelines
## read_file
```xml
<read_file>
<path>File path here</path>
</read_file>
```
### Required Parameters:
- `path`: The file path to read
### Common Errors to Avoid:
- Attempting to read non-existent files
- Using incorrect or relative paths
- Missing the `path` parameter
### Best Practices:
- Always check if a file exists before attempting to modify it
- Use `read_file` before `apply_diff` or `search_and_replace` to verify content
- For large files, consider using start_line and end_line parameters to read specific sections
## write_to_file
```xml
<write_to_file>
<path>File path here</path>