How do I install the Ast Grep Find skill?

Run npx skillmds add thedixitjain/ast-grep-find in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

What does the Ast Grep Find skill do?

AST-based code search and refactoring via ast-grep MCP It is listed under AI & ML on SkillMD.

Is Ast Grep Find safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. Capability flags: makes network calls. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Ast Grep Find?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Ast Grep Find free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Ast Grep Find?

thedixitjain (@thedixitjain) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Ast Grep Find by thedixitjain — Agent Skill

Name: Ast Grep Find
Rating: 4.5 (4 reviews)
Author: thedixitjain

File contents

AST-Grep Find

Structural code search that understands syntax. Find patterns like function calls, imports, class definitions - not just text.

When to Use

Find code patterns (ignores strings/comments)
Search for function calls, class definitions, imports
Refactor code with AST precision
Rename variables/functions across codebase

Usage

Search for a pattern

uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \
    --pattern "import asyncio" --language python

Search in specific directory

uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \
    --pattern "async def \$FUNC(\$\$\$)" --language python --path "./src"

Refactor/replace pattern

uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \
    --pattern "console.log(\$MSG)" --replace "logger.info(\$MSG)" \
    --language javascript

Dry run (preview changes)

uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \
    --pattern "print(\$X)" --replace "logger.info(\$X)" \
    --language python --dry-run

Parameters

Parameter	Description
`--pattern`	AST pattern to search (required)
`--language`	Language: `python`, `javascript`, `typescript`, `go`, etc.
`--path`	Directory to search (default: `.`)
`--glob`	File glob pattern (e.g., `*/.py`)
`--replace`	Replacement pattern for refactoring
`--dry-run`	Preview changes without applying
`--context`	Lines of context (default: 2)

Pattern Syntax

Syntax	Meaning
`$NAME`	Match single node (variable, expression)
`$$$`	Match multiple nodes (arguments, statements)
`$_`	Match any single node (wildcard)

Examples

# Find all function definitions
uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \
    --pattern "def \$FUNC(\$\$\$):" --language python

# Find console.log calls
uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \
    --pattern "console.log(\$\$\$)" --language javascript

# Replace print with logging
uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \
    --pattern "print(\$X)" --replace "logging.info(\$X)" \
    --language python --dry-run

vs morph/warpgrep

Tool	Best For
ast-grep	Structural patterns (understands code syntax)
warpgrep	Fast text/regex search (20x faster grep)

Use ast-grep when you need syntax-aware matching. Use warpgrep for raw speed.

MCP Server Required

Requires ast-grep server in mcp_config.json.

Source: parcadei/Continuous-Claude-v3 → .claude/skills/ast-grep-find/SKILL.md

---name: ast-grep-finddescription: AST-based code search and refactoring via ast-grep MCP--- # AST-Grep Find Structural code search that understands syntax. Find patterns like function calls, imports, class definitions - not just text. ## When to Use - Find code patterns (ignores strings/comments) - Search for function calls, class definitions, imports - Refactor code with AST precision - Rename variables/functions across codebase ## Usage ### Search for a pattern ```bash uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \ --pattern "import asyncio" --language python ``` ### Search in specific directory ```bash uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \ --pattern "async def \$FUNC(\$\$\$)" --language python --path "./src" ``` ### Refactor/replace pattern ```bash uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \ --pattern "console.log(\$MSG)" --replace "logger.info(\$MSG)" \ --language javascript ``` ### Dry run (preview changes) ```bash uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \ --pattern "print(\$X)" --replace "logger.info(\$X)" \ --language python --dry-run ``` ## Parameters | Parameter | Description | |-----------|-------------| | `--pattern` | AST pattern to search (required) | | `--language` | Language: `python`, `javascript`, `typescript`, `go`, etc. | | `--path` | Directory to search (default: `.`) | | `--glob` | File glob pattern (e.g., `**/*.py`) | | `--replace` | Replacement pattern for refactoring | | `--dry-run` | Preview changes without applying | | `--context` | Lines of context (default: 2) | ## Pattern Syntax | Syntax | Meaning | |--------|---------| | `$NAME` | Match single node (variable, expression) | | `$$$` | Match multiple nodes (arguments, statements) | | `$_` | Match any single node (wildcard) | ## Examples ```bash # Find all function definitions uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \ --pattern "def \$FUNC(\$\$\$):" --language python # Find console.log calls uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \ --pattern "console.log(\$\$\$)" --language javascript # Replace print with logging uv run python -m runtime.harness scripts/ast_grep_find.py \ --pattern "print(\$X)" --replace "logging.info(\$X)" \ --language python --dry-run ``` ## vs morph/warpgrep | Tool | Best For | |------|----------| | **ast-grep** | Structural patterns (understands code syntax) | | **warpgrep** | Fast text/regex search (20x faster grep) | Use ast-grep when you need syntax-aware matching. Use warpgrep for raw speed. ## MCP Server Required Requires `ast-grep` server in mcp_config.json. --- **Source:** [`parcadei/Continuous-Claude-v3`](https://github.com/parcadei/Continuous-Claude-v3) → `.claude/skills/ast-grep-find/SKILL.md`

Frequently asked questions