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mgrep-code-search

tessl install github:intellectronica/agent-skills --skill mgrep-code-search

github.com/intellectronica/agent-skills

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.

Review Score

84%

Validation Score

13/16

Implementation Score

88%

Activation Score

75%

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