How do I see more context around a search result?

You can use the -n flag to specify the number of context lines or the -c flag to display the full function content up to 50 lines.

Can I combine text patterns with semantic search?

Yes, colgrep supports hybrid search using the -e flag for text patterns alongside your semantic natural language query.

Can I use colgrep for automated analysis?

Absolutely. Colgrep includes a --json flag that provides structured output, making it ideal for integration with other developer tools and AI agents.

How is colgrep different from standard grep?

Unlike standard grep which only finds exact text matches, colgrep uses semantic vectors to find code based on meaning and intent using natural language queries.

Does colgrep support standard file filtering?

Yes, it supports --include, --exclude, and --exclude-dir flags, including brace expansion and recursive glob patterns for precise file targeting.

ColGREP Semantic Search

Name: ColGREP Semantic Search
Author: lightonai

bylightonai

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167

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Developer Tools

Powers semantic and hybrid code search using natural language queries to find code by intent rather than just exact text matches.

ColGREP is a specialized search utility for Claude Code that enhances developer productivity by replacing traditional grep with advanced multi-vector semantic search. It allows developers and AI agents to find relevant code snippets by describing their intent in natural language, combining this with powerful regex filtering and grep-compatible flags. By understanding the context and semantics of a codebase, it significantly reduces the time spent navigating complex repositories and helps in exploring unfamiliar systems more effectively than keyword-only search tools.

Key Features

01Native JSON output for programmatic integration and AI agent processing

02Full Grep compatibility including include/exclude filters and glob patterns

03Context-aware output with configurable lines or full function content viewing

04Hybrid search combining literal text or regex patterns with semantic queries

05Natural language semantic code search for intent-based discovery

06167 GitHub stars

Use Cases

01Finding specific logic or implementations when exact function names or variable names are unknown

02Performing precision code audits by combining regex patterns with semantic context filtering

03Exploring and understanding large, unfamiliar codebases by describing functional goals in plain English

What are Skills?·How to Install

Install with 🐟 Skill.Fish

npx skillfish add lightonai/next-plaid colgrep

For use in Claude.ai and ChatGPT

Download Skill