# Exploring Codebases

> Semantic search for codebases. Locates matches with ripgrep and expands them into full AST nodes (functions/classes) using tree-sitter. Returns complete, syntactically valid code blocks rather than fragmented lines. Use when looking for specific implementations, examples, or references where full context is needed.

- Skill: `tools-only/exploring-codebases` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add tools-only/exploring-codebases`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/exploring-codebases/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/exploring-codebases

---


# Exploring Codebases

Hybrid search tool that combines the speed of `ripgrep` with the structural awareness of `tree-sitter`. It finds matches and returns the *entire* function or class containing the match, de-duplicating results semantically.

## Progressive Disclosure

**By default, returns signatures only** (docstrings + declarations without function bodies), reducing token usage by 10-20×. Use `--expand-full` to get complete implementations when needed.

## Installation

```bash
uv venv /home/claude/.venv
uv pip install tree-sitter-language-pack --python /home/claude/.venv/bin/python
```

## Usage

```bash
# Default: signatures only (efficient)
/home/claude/.venv/bin/python /mnt/skills/user/exploring-codebases/scripts/search.py "query" /path/to/repo

# Full implementations
/home/claude/.venv/bin/python /mnt/skills/user/exploring-codebases/scripts/search.py "query" /path/to/repo --expand-full
```

## Options

- `--glob pattern`: Filter files (e.g., `*.py`, `*.ts`)
- `--expand-full`: Return full implementations instead of signatures
- `--json`: Output JSON for machine processing (default is Markdown)

## Examples

**Find class signatures:**
```bash
/home/claude/.venv/bin/python /mnt/skills/user/exploring-codebases/scripts/search.py "class User" /path/to/repo
```

Output:
```python
class User:
    """User account model."""
    ...
```

**Find full method implementation:**
```bash
/home/claude/.venv/bin/python /mnt/skills/user/exploring-codebases/scripts/search.py "def validate" /path/to/repo --expand-full
```

**Find usage of `process_data` in Python files:**
```bash
/home/claude/.venv/bin/python /mnt/skills/user/exploring-codebases/scripts/search.py "process_data" /path/to/repo --glob "*.py"
```