Searching Sourcegraph

Search before you build. Existing patterns reduce tokens, ensure consistency, and surface tested solutions.

Tool Selection Logic

Start here:

1. Know the exact symbol or pattern? → sg_keyword_search
2. Know the concept, not the code? → sg_nls_search
3. Need to understand how/why? → sg_deepsearch_read
4. Tracing a symbol's usage? → sg_find_references
5. Need full implementation? → sg_go_to_definition → sg_read_file

Goal	Tool
Concepts/semantic search	sg_nls_search
Exact code patterns	sg_keyword_search
Trace usage	sg_find_references
See implementation	sg_go_to_definition
Understand systems	sg_deepsearch_read
Read files	sg_read_file
Browse structure	sg_list_files
Find repos	sg_list_repos
Search commits	sg_commit_search
Track changes	sg_diff_search
Compare versions	sg_compare_revisions

Scoping (Always Do This)

repo:^github.com/ORG/REPO$           # Exact repo (preferred)
repo:github.com/ORG/                 # All repos in org
file:.*\.ts$                         # TypeScript only
file:src/api/                        # Specific directory
file:.*\.test\.ts$ -file:__mocks__   # Tests, exclude mocks

Start narrow. Expand only if results are empty.

Combine filters: repo:^github.com/myorg/backend$ file:src/handlers lang:typescript

Context-Aware Behaviour

When the user provides a file path or error message:

• Extract symbols, function names, or error codes
• Search for those exact terms first
• Trace references if the error involves a known symbol

When the user asks "how does X work":

• Prefer sg_deepsearch_read for architectural understanding
• Follow up with sg_read_file on key files mentioned in the response

When the user is implementing a new feature:

• Search for similar existing implementations first
• Read tests for usage examples
• Check for shared utilities before creating new ones

When fixing a bug:

• Extract exact symbols from the error message or stack trace
• Search for the error site, then trace the full call chain with sg_find_references
• Check recent changes with sg_diff_search and sg_commit_search early — regressions are common
• Find all affected code paths before writing the fix
• Read existing tests to understand intended behaviour

Workflows

For detailed step-by-step workflows, see:

• workflows/implementing-feature.md — when building new features
• workflows/understanding-code.md — when exploring unfamiliar systems
• workflows/debugging-issue.md — when tracking down bugs
• workflows/fixing-bug.md — when fixing bugs with extensive Sourcegraph search
• workflows/code-review.md — when reviewing a pull request or changeset

Efficiency Rules

Minimise tool calls:

• Chain searches logically: search → read → references → definition
• Don't re-search for the same pattern; use results from prior calls
• Prefer sg_keyword_search over sg_nls_search when you have exact terms (faster, more precise)

Batch your understanding:

• Read 2-3 related files before synthesising, rather than reading one and asking questions
• Use sg_deepsearch_read for "how does X work" instead of multiple keyword searches

Avoid common token waste:

• Don't search all repos when you know the target repo
• Don't use sg_deepsearch_read for simple "find all" queries
• Don't re-read files you've already seen in this conversation

Query Patterns

Intent	Query
React hooks	file:.*\.tsx$ use[A-Z].*= \(
API routes	file:src/api app\.(get|post|put|delete)
Error handling	catch.*Error|\.catch\(
Type definitions	file:types/ export (interface|type)
Test setup	file:.*\.test\. beforeEach|beforeAll
Config files	file:(webpack|vite|rollup)\.config
CI/CD	file:\.github/workflows deploy

For more patterns, see query-patterns.md.

Output Formatting

Search results:

• Present as a brief summary, not raw tool output
• Highlight the most relevant file and line
• Include a code snippet only if it directly answers the question

Code explanations:

• Start with a one-sentence summary
• Use the codebase's own terminology
• Reference specific files and functions

Recommendations:

• Present as numbered steps if actionable
• Link to specific patterns found in the codebase
• Note any existing utilities that should be reused

Common Mistakes

Mistake	Fix
Searching all repos	Add repo:^github.com/org/repo$
Too many results	Add file: pattern or keywords
Missing relevant code	Try sg_nls_search for semantic matching
Not understanding context	Use sg_deepsearch_read
Guessing patterns	Read implementations with sg_read_file

Principles

• Start narrow, expand if needed
• Chain tools: search → read → find references → definition
• Check tests for usage examples
• Read before generating