# Search

> Natural language search through Claude Code session history. Search for previous prompts, conversations, topics, file modifications, and context from past sessions. Useful for finding earlier work and understanding project continuity.

- Skill: `toseekandfind/search` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add toseekandfind/search`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/toseekandfind/search/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- License: MIT
- Author: toseekandfind (https://skillmd.com/u/toseekandfind)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/toseekandfind/search

---


# ELF Session Search Command

Search through Claude Code session history using natural language queries.

## Purpose

The `/search` command helps you find:
- Previous prompts and conversations
- Work on specific topics
- Files modified in past sessions
- Context from earlier iterations
- Related discussions across sessions

## Usage Examples

```
/search what was my last prompt?
/search what was I working on yesterday?
/search find prompts about git
/search show me recent conversations
/search where did I edit the router?
```

## How It Works

When you invoke `/search`:

1. **Extract your query** from the command
2. **Search session logs** - Parse JSONL files from `~/.claude/projects/`
3. **Find matches** - Natural language matching against user messages
4. **Show results** - Display relevant prompts and context
5. **Answer your question** - Use results to provide context

## Session Log Format

Session data is stored in:
- Location: `~/.claude/projects/[project-name]/*.jsonl`
- Format: Line-delimited JSON with message objects
- Content: User prompts and Claude responses
- Indexed: Most recent files first (by mtime)

Each JSONL file contains:
- `type: "user"` - Your prompts
- `type: "assistant"` - My responses
- Skips: Subagent logs (agent-*.jsonl)

## Implementation Steps

1. Scan session directory: `ls -t ~/.claude/projects/*/*.jsonl`
2. Skip agent logs: Filter out `agent-*.jsonl`
3. Read JSONL: Parse JSON line-by-line
4. Extract messages: Filter for "user" and "assistant" types
5. Search: Match your query against content
6. Display: Show matching prompts with context

## Search Capabilities

- **Topic search** - Find discussions about specific subjects
- **Temporal search** - Find work from yesterday, last week, etc.
- **File-based search** - Find when you last edited a file
- **Tool search** - Find when you used specific tools
- **Pattern search** - Find similar problems or approaches

## Integration with ELF

The search command integrates with the building's session summaries. After search:
- Relevant heuristics might be suggested
- Related failures/successes found
- Continuous context preserved

This helps you avoid repeating past mistakes and leverage previous insights.

## Search Tips

- Use **specific keywords** - "router" not just "code"
- Try **natural language** - System understands intent
- Include **context** - "when I worked on auth" not just "auth"
- Check **timeframe** - Session logs are dated