# Find Replace

> Modern find-and-replace using sd (simpler than sed) and batch replacement patterns. Triggers on: sd, find replace, batch replace, sed replacement, string replacement, rename.

- Skill: `aiskillstore/find-replace` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 5 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add aiskillstore/find-replace`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/aiskillstore/find-replace/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: MIT
- Author: aiskillstore (https://skillmd.com/u/aiskillstore)
- Updated: 2026-09-09
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/aiskillstore/find-replace

---


# Find Replace

Modern find-and-replace using sd.

## sd Basics

```bash
# Replace in file (in-place)
sd 'oldText' 'newText' file.txt

# Replace in multiple files
sd 'oldText' 'newText' *.js

# Preview without changing (pipe)
cat file.txt | sd 'old' 'new'
```

## sd vs sed

| sed | sd |
|-----|-----|
| `sed 's/old/new/g'` | `sd 'old' 'new'` |
| `sed -i 's/old/new/g'` | `sd 'old' 'new' file` |
| `sed 's#path/to#new/path#g'` | `sd 'path/to' 'new/path'` |

**Key difference:** sd is global by default, no delimiter issues.

## Common Patterns

```bash
# Variable/function rename
sd 'oldName' 'newName' src/**/*.ts

# Word boundaries (avoid partial matches)
sd '\boldName\b' 'newName' src/**/*.ts

# Import path update
sd "from '../utils'" "from '@/utils'" src/**/*.ts

# Capture groups
sd 'console\.log\((.*)\)' 'logger.info($1)' src/**/*.js
```

## Safe Batch Workflow

```bash
# 1. List affected files
rg -l 'oldPattern' src/

# 2. Preview replacements
rg 'oldPattern' -r 'newPattern' src/

# 3. Apply
sd 'oldPattern' 'newPattern' $(rg -l 'oldPattern' src/)

# 4. Verify
rg 'oldPattern' src/  # Should return nothing
git diff              # Review changes
```

## Special Characters

| Character | Escape |
|-----------|--------|
| `.` | `\.` |
| `*` | `\*` |
| `[` `]` | `\[` `\]` |
| `$` | `\$` |
| `\` | `\\` |

## Tips

| Tip | Reason |
|-----|--------|
| Always preview with `rg -r` first | Avoid mistakes |
| Use git before bulk changes | Easy rollback |
| Use `\b` for word boundaries | Avoid partial matches |
| Quote patterns | Prevent shell interpretation |

## Additional Resources

For detailed patterns, load:
- `./references/advanced-patterns.md` - Regex, batch workflows, real-world examples