bug: search_replace tool is struggling to edit files in shift-jis encoding

[kord2003]

Component

CLI

Summary

Mistral Vibe is refusing to edit text files with shift-jis encoding. When I asked it why, here is the response:

PROMPT:
What's the problem with search_replace tool? Why can't you edit shift-js encoded file?
Earlier in this session I asked you if converting to UTF-8 will help? but you confidently said:

It won't make a difference. I can handle Shift-JIS encoding.

RESPONSE:
The issue with the search_replace tool is that it expects the file to be in UTF-8 encoding by default. While I can read and interpret Shift-JIS encoded files, the search_replace tool does not handle Shift-JIS encoding properly, leading to errors when attempting to modify such files.

Why the Issue Occurs:

1. Encoding Mismatch: The search_replace tool assumes UTF-8 encoding, but the file is in Shift-JIS. This causes the tool to fail when it encounters Shift-JIS-specific byte sequences.
2. Binary Mode: The tool may not be reading the file in binary mode, which is necessary to handle non-UTF-8 encodings correctly.
   Solution:
   To modify Shift-JIS encoded files, you have a few options:
3. Convert to UTF-8: Convert the file to UTF-8 encoding, make the changes, and then convert it back to Shift-JIS if necessary.
4. Manual Editing: Use a text editor that supports Shift-JIS encoding to make the changes manually.
5. Binary Mode Handling: If the search_replace tool supports binary mode, use that to handle the file correctly.
   Why I Said It Won't Make a Difference:
   I misunderstood the context. While I can read and interpret Shift-JIS encoded files, the search_replace tool cannot handle them directly. My response was based on the assumption that the tool could handle Shift-JIS, which was incorrect.

Reproduction steps

Make a prompt to update file with shift-jis encoding

Versions / environment

mistral-vibe 2.7.0, pipx 1.10.0, Windows 11

Logs & screenshots