Searcher

File Searcher Skill

This skill searches for files in the codebase based on text content and returns a list of matching file paths.

Core Principles

1. Use Grep tool: Always use the Grep tool for searching - never use bash grep/rg commands
2. Return file paths: Provide a clear list of file paths that match the search criteria
3. Include context: Show relevant context (line numbers, matching lines) to help users understand results
4. Flexible search: Support different search modes (content, files_only, count)

Search Workflow

Step 1: Understand the Search Request

Clarify what the user wants to find:

• Text/Pattern: The specific text or regex pattern to search for
• Scope: Entire codebase or specific directory
• File Type: Optional filter (e.g., only .py, .js files)

Step 2: Choose the Appropriate Search Mode

Use Grep with these parameters:

Step 3: Execute the Search

Use Grep tool with:
- pattern: <search term>
- output_mode: "files_with_matches" for just file paths, "content" for lines with context

Step 4: Present Results

Format the output clearly:

• Matching files: List all file paths found
• Match count: Total number of files
• Excerpts (optional): Show relevant lines from matches
• Next steps: Suggest actions like "Read specific file", "Narrow search", etc.

Common Search Patterns

Find files containing specific text

Grep: pattern="search term", output_mode="files_with_matches"

Find text with context (showing matching lines)

Grep: pattern="search term", output_mode="content", -C=2

Case-insensitive search

Grep: pattern="search term", -i=true

Search specific file types

Grep: pattern="search term", type="py"
Grep: pattern="search term", glob="*.md"

Count matches per file

Grep: pattern="search term", output_mode="count"

Example Usage

User request: "Find all files that contain 'TODO' comments"

Skill response:

1. Search: Grep: pattern="TODO", output_mode="content", -C=1
2. Results: List file paths with TODO lines and line numbers
3. Summary: "Found 5 files with TODO comments"

User request: "Search for 'function' in Python files only"

Skill response:

1. Search: Grep: pattern="function", type="py", output_mode="files_with_matches"
2. Results: List matching .py files
3. Summary: "Found 3 Python files containing 'function'"

Tips for Better Searches

• Start broad: Use files_with_matches first, then drill down with content mode
• Use regex patterns: Grep supports full regex syntax for complex searches
• Filter by type: Use type or glob to narrow search scope
• Case sensitivity: Use -i=true when the exact case doesn't matter
• Context: Use -C to see lines around matches for better understanding