Add write-only mode option for todo tool

[Copilot]

The todo tool now supports a write-only mode to prevent unnecessary read operations during new chat turns, since tool invocations remain in context for the agent.

Changes

New Configuration Setting:

• Added chat.todoListTool.writeOnly boolean setting (default: false)
• Marked as experimental to match the existing todo tool setting

Dynamic Schema Generation:

• Created createManageTodoListToolData(writeOnly) function for conditional schema building
• In write-only mode: removes the operation parameter entirely, only requires todoList
• In normal mode: preserves existing behavior with both 'read' and 'write' operations

Tool Implementation:

• Updated ManageTodoListTool constructor to accept writeOnly parameter
• Modified invoke() method to always perform write operations in write-only mode
• Adapted prepareToolInvocation() to handle optional operation parameter
• Tool registration now reads configuration to instantiate appropriate version

Example Usage

Normal mode (existing behavior):

{
  "operation": "write",
  "todoList": [{"id": 1, "title": "Fix bug", "description": "...", "status": "not-started"}]
}

Write-only mode (new):

{
  "todoList": [{"id": 1, "title": "Fix bug", "description": "...", "status": "not-started"}]
}

The write-only mode eliminates redundant context checking while maintaining full backward compatibility when the setting is disabled.

Fixes #260687.

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[digitarald]

@copilot address comments

[digitarald]

@copilot failing CI:

[valid-layers-check       ] src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/tools/manageTodoListTool.ts:27:14 - error TS2451: Cannot redeclare block-scoped variable 'ManageTodoListToolToolId'.
[valid-layers-check       ] 
[valid-layers-check       ] 27 export const ManageTodoListToolToolId = 'manage_todo_list';
[valid-layers-check       ]                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[valid-layers-check       ] src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/tools/manageTodoListTool.ts:29:14 - error TS2451: Cannot redeclare block-scoped variable 'ManageTodoListToolToolId'.
[valid-layers-check       ] 
[valid-layers-check       ] 29 export const ManageTodoListToolToolId = 'manage_todo_list';
[valid-layers-check       ]                 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
[valid-layers-check       ] 
[valid-layers-check       ] Found 2 errors in the same file, starting at: src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/tools/manageTodoListTool.ts:27

[Copilot]

Just as a heads up, I was blocked by some firewall rules while working on your feedback. Expand below for details.

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I tried to connect to the following addresses, but was blocked by firewall rules:

• electronjs.org
  • Triggering command: node-gyp (dns block)

If you need me to access, download, or install something from one of these locations, you can either:

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[Copilot]

@copilot failing CI:

...

Fixed the compilation error by removing the duplicate ManageTodoListToolToolId declaration. The TypeScript error about redeclaring block-scoped variable has been resolved. Fixed in commit e05310e.

Warning

Firewall rules blocked me from connecting to one or more addresses

I tried to connect to the following addresses, but was blocked by firewall rules:

• electronjs.org
  • Triggering command: node-gyp (dns block)

If you need me to access, download, or install something from one of these locations, you can either:

• Configure Actions setup steps to set up my environment, which run before the firewall is enabled
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[Copilot]

Pull Request Overview

This PR adds a write-only mode option for the todo tool to prevent unnecessary read operations during new chat turns, since tool invocations remain in context for the agent.

• Adds a new chat.todoListTool.writeOnly boolean configuration setting (marked experimental)
• Implements dynamic schema generation that conditionally removes the operation parameter in write-only mode
• Updates the ManageTodoListTool to handle write-only behavior by always performing write operations when enabled

Reviewed Changes

Copilot reviewed 3 out of 3 changed files in this pull request and generated 2 comments.

File	Description
src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/tools/tools.ts	Updates tool registration to read configuration and instantiate write-only version when enabled
src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/common/tools/manageTodoListTool.ts	Implements write-only mode logic with dynamic schema generation and conditional operation handling
src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/chat.contribution.ts	Adds the new experimental configuration setting for write-only mode

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reviewed prior