How do I install the Mgrep Code Search skill?

Run npx skillmds add tools-only/mgrep-code-search 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.

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Which AI agents work with Mgrep Code Search?

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Is Mgrep Code Search free to use?

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

Who published Mgrep Code Search?

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

Mgrep Code Search by tools-only — Agent Skill

Name: Mgrep Code Search
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)
Author: tools-only

Mgrep Code Search

Semantic code search using mgrep for efficient codebase exploration. This skill should be used when searching or exploring codebases with more than 30 non-gitignored files and/or nested directory structures. It provides natural language semantic search that complements traditional grep/ripgrep for finding features, understanding intent, and exploring unfamiliar code.

tools-only c1cfa3f 3 files · 7.8 KB Updated Sep 8, 2026 7 repo stars

File contents

mgrep Code Search

Overview

mgrep is a semantic search tool that enables natural language queries across code, text, PDFs, and images. It is particularly effective for exploring larger or complex codebases where traditional pattern matching falls short.

When to Use This Skill

Use mgrep when:

The codebase contains more than 30 non-gitignored files
There are nested directory structures
Searching for concepts, features, or intent rather than exact strings
Exploring an unfamiliar codebase
Need to understand "where" or "how" something is implemented

Use traditional grep/ripgrep when:

Searching for exact patterns or symbols
Regex-based refactoring
Tracing specific function or variable names

Quick Start

Indexing

Before searching, start the watcher to index the repository:

bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch

The watch command indexes the repository and maintains synchronisation with file changes. It respects .gitignore and .mgrepignore patterns.

Searching

bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "your natural language query" [path]

Search Commands

Basic Search

bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "where is authentication configured?"
bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "how do we handle errors in API calls?" src/
bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "database connection setup" src/lib

Search Options

Option	Description
`-m <count>`	Maximum results (default: 10)
`-c, --content`	Display full result content
`-a, --answer`	Generate AI-powered synthesis of results
`-s, --sync`	Update index before searching
`--no-rerank`	Disable relevance optimisation

Examples with Options

# Get more results
bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -m 25 "user authentication flow"

# Show full content of matches
bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -c "error handling patterns"

# Get an AI-synthesised answer
bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -a "how does the caching layer work?"

# Sync index before searching
bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -s "payment processing" src/services

Workflow

Start watcher (once per session or when files change significantly):
```
bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch
```

Search semantically:

bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "what you're looking for" [optional/path]

Refine as needed using path constraints or options:

bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -m 20 -c "refined query" src/specific/directory

Environment Variables

Configure defaults via environment variables:

Variable	Purpose
`MGREP_MAX_COUNT`	Default result limit
`MGREP_CONTENT`	Enable content display (1/true)
`MGREP_ANSWER`	Enable AI synthesis (1/true)
`MGREP_SYNC`	Pre-search sync (1/true)

Important Notes

Always use bunx @mixedbread/mgrep to run commands (not npm/npx or direct installation)
Run bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch before searching to ensure the index is current
mgrep respects .gitignore patterns automatically
Create .mgrepignore for additional exclusions

---name: mgrep-code-searchdescription: Semantic code search using mgrep for efficient codebase exploration. This skill should be used when searching or exploring codebases with more than 30 non-gitignored files and/or nested directory structures. It provides natural language semantic search that complements traditional grep/ripgrep for finding features, understanding intent, and exploring unfamiliar code.---# mgrep Code Search## Overviewmgrep is a semantic search tool that enables natural language queries across code, text, PDFs, and images. It is particularly effective for exploring larger or complex codebases where traditional pattern matching falls short.## When to Use This SkillUse mgrep when:- The codebase contains more than 30 non-gitignored files- There are nested directory structures- Searching for concepts, features, or intent rather than exact strings- Exploring an unfamiliar codebase- Need to understand "where" or "how" something is implementedUse traditional grep/ripgrep when:- Searching for exact patterns or symbols- Regex-based refactoring- Tracing specific function or variable names## Quick Start### IndexingBefore searching, start the watcher to index the repository:```bashbunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch```The `watch` command indexes the repository and maintains synchronisation with file changes. It respects `.gitignore` and `.mgrepignore` patterns.### Searching```bashbunx @mixedbread/mgrep "your natural language query" [path]```## Search Commands### Basic Search```bashbunx @mixedbread/mgrep "where is authentication configured?"bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "how do we handle errors in API calls?" src/bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "database connection setup" src/lib```### Search Options| Option | Description ||--------|-------------|| `-m <count>` | Maximum results (default: 10) || `-c, --content` | Display full result content || `-a, --answer` | Generate AI-powered synthesis of results || `-s, --sync` | Update index before searching || `--no-rerank` | Disable relevance optimisation |### Examples with Options```bash# Get more resultsbunx @mixedbread/mgrep -m 25 "user authentication flow"# Show full content of matchesbunx @mixedbread/mgrep -c "error handling patterns"# Get an AI-synthesised answerbunx @mixedbread/mgrep -a "how does the caching layer work?"# Sync index before searchingbunx @mixedbread/mgrep -s "payment processing" src/services```## Workflow1. **Start watcher** (once per session or when files change significantly): ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch ```2. **Search semantically**: ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep "what you're looking for" [optional/path] ```3. **Refine as needed** using path constraints or options: ```bash bunx @mixedbread/mgrep -m 20 -c "refined query" src/specific/directory ```## Environment VariablesConfigure defaults via environment variables:| Variable | Purpose ||----------|---------|| `MGREP_MAX_COUNT` | Default result limit || `MGREP_CONTENT` | Enable content display (1/true) || `MGREP_ANSWER` | Enable AI synthesis (1/true) || `MGREP_SYNC` | Pre-search sync (1/true) |## Important Notes- Always use `bunx @mixedbread/mgrep` to run commands (not npm/npx or direct installation)- Run `bunx @mixedbread/mgrep watch` before searching to ensure the index is current- mgrep respects `.gitignore` patterns automatically- Create `.mgrepignore` for additional exclusions

Frequently asked questions