mgrep-code-search
Semantic code search using mgrep for efficient codebase exploration. This skill should be used when searching or exploring codebases with more than 30 non-gitignored files and/or nested directory structures. It provides natural language semantic search that complements traditional grep/ripgrep for finding features, understanding intent, and exploring unfamiliar code.
Best use case
mgrep-code-search is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Semantic code search using mgrep for efficient codebase exploration. This skill should be used when searching or exploring codebases with more than 30 non-gitignored files and/or nested directory structures. It provides natural language semantic search that complements traditional grep/ripgrep for finding features, understanding intent, and exploring unfamiliar code.
Teams using mgrep-code-search should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/mgrep-code-search/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How mgrep-code-search Compares
| Feature / Agent | mgrep-code-search | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Semantic code search using mgrep for efficient codebase exploration. This skill should be used when searching or exploring codebases with more than 30 non-gitignored files and/or nested directory structures. It provides natural language semantic search that complements traditional grep/ripgrep for finding features, understanding intent, and exploring unfamiliar code.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# mgrep Code Search ## Overview mgrep is a semantic search tool that enables natural language queries across code, text, PDFs, and images. It is particularly effective for exploring larger or complex codebases where traditional pattern matching falls short. ## When to Use This Skill Use mgrep when: - The codebase contains more than 30 non-gitignored files - There are nested directory structures - Searching for concepts, features, or intent rather than exact strings - Exploring an unfamiliar codebase - Need to understand "where" or "how" something is implemented Use traditional grep/ripgrep when: - Searching for exact patterns or symbols - Regex-based refactoring - Tracing specific function or variable names ## Quick Start ### Indexing Before searching, start the watcher to index the repository: ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch ``` The `watch` command indexes the repository and maintains synchronisation with file changes. It respects `.gitignore` and `.mgrepignore` patterns. ### Searching ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "your natural language query" [path] ``` ## Search Commands ### Basic Search ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "where is authentication configured?" bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "how do we handle errors in API calls?" src/ bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "database connection setup" src/lib ``` ### Search Options | Option | Description | |--------|-------------| | `-m <count>` | Maximum results (default: 10) | | `-c, --content` | Display full result content | | `-a, --answer` | Generate AI-powered synthesis of results | | `-s, --sync` | Update index before searching | | `--no-rerank` | Disable relevance optimisation | ### Examples with Options ```bash # Get more results bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -m 25 "user authentication flow" # Show full content of matches bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -c "error handling patterns" # Get an AI-synthesised answer bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -a "how does the caching layer work?" # Sync index before searching bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -s "payment processing" src/services ``` ## Workflow 1. **Start watcher** (once per session or when files change significantly): ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch ``` 2. **Search semantically**: ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "what you're looking for" [optional/path] ``` 3. **Refine as needed** using path constraints or options: ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -m 20 -c "refined query" src/specific/directory ``` ## Environment Variables Configure defaults via environment variables: | Variable | Purpose | |----------|---------| | `MGREP_MAX_COUNT` | Default result limit | | `MGREP_CONTENT` | Enable content display (1/true) | | `MGREP_ANSWER` | Enable AI synthesis (1/true) | | `MGREP_SYNC` | Pre-search sync (1/true) | ## Important Notes - Always use `bunx @mixedbread/mgrep` to run commands (not npm/npx or direct installation) - Run `bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch` before searching to ensure the index is current - mgrep respects `.gitignore` patterns automatically - Create `.mgrepignore` for additional exclusions
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