smgrep

When to Use

Use this to find code by concept or behavior (e.g., "where is auth validated", "how are plugins loaded"). Note: This tool prioritizes finding the right files and locations in the code. Snippets are truncated (max 16 lines) and are often just previews.

Example:

smgrep "how are plugins loaded"
smgrep "how are plugins loaded" packages/transformers.js/src

Strategy for Different Query Types

For Architectural/System-Level Questions (auth, LSP integration, file watching)

1. Search Broadly First: Use a conceptual query to map the landscape.
   • smgrep "authentication authorization checks"
2. Survey the Results: Look for patterns across multiple files:
   • Are checks in middleware? Decorators? Multiple services?
   • Do file paths suggest different layers (gateway, handlers, utils)?
3. Read Strategically: Pick 2-4 files that represent different aspects:
   • Read the main entry point
   • Read representative middleware/util files
   • Follow imports if architecture is unclear
4. Refine with Specific Searches: If one aspect is unclear:
   • smgrep "session validation logic"
   • smgrep "API authentication middleware"

For Targeted Implementation Details (specific function, algorithm)

1. Search Specifically: Ask about the precise logic.
   • smgrep "logic for merging user and default configuration"
2. Evaluate the Semantic Match:
   • Does the snippet look relevant?
   • Crucial: If it ends in ... or cuts off mid-logic, read the file.
3. One Search, One Read: Use smgrep to pinpoint the best file, then read it fully.

Output Format

Returns: path/to/file:line [Tags] Code Snippet

• [Definition]: Semantic search detected a class/function here. High relevance.
• ...: Truncation Marker. Snippet is incomplete—use read_file for full context.

Tips

• Trust the Semantics: You don't need exact names. smgrep "how does the server start" works better than guessing smgrep "server.init".
• Watch for Distributed Patterns: If results span 5+ files in different directories, the feature is likely architectural—survey before diving deep.
• Scope When Possible: Use path constraints to focus: smgrep "auth" src/server/
• Don't Over-Rely on Snippets: For architectural questions, snippets are signposts, not answers. Read the key files.
• "Still Indexing...": If you see this, please stop, alert the user that the index is ongoing and ask them if they wish to proceed. Results will be partial until the index is complete.