Non-negotiable rules:

1. Verify ast-grep is installed before relying on it.
2. Create a minimal example of the desired pattern before searching the repository.
3. Inspect the AST with --debug-query when node kinds or match shape are uncertain.
4. Add stopBy: end to relational rules unless there is a specific reason not to.
5. Test the rule on the example before running it across the codebase.

ast-grep Code Search

Inputs

• $request: The structural pattern to find, plus any known language, exclusions, or edge cases

Goal

Produce a reliable structural search by:

• confirming ast-grep is available
• clarifying the intended pattern and language
• building the smallest rule that can work
• testing it on example code first
• validating repository results before reporting them

Step 0: Verify availability and resolve the query

First verify ast-grep is installed with ast-grep --version.

If it is not installed:

• stop
• tell the user ast-grep is required for this workflow
• provide installation guidance instead of pretending the search can proceed

Then resolve:

• the programming language
• what should match
• what should not match
• any edge cases the user cares about

Use AskUserQuestion only if those details are ambiguous enough to risk a bad rule.

Success criteria: ast-grep availability, language, and pattern intent are explicit.

Step 1: Create a minimal example and inspect the AST

Write a tiny example snippet that should match.

Use --debug-query=cst or --debug-query=pattern when needed to understand:

• the real node kinds
• how metavariables are parsed
• where the target structure sits in the tree

Rules:

• keep the example as small as possible
• debug the AST when kind names or nesting are uncertain
• do not skip this step just because the pattern "looks obvious"

Load references/rule_reference.md for syntax details and references/search-recipes.md for common command shapes.

Success criteria: The target shape is represented by a tested example and the AST structure is understood well enough to write the rule.

Step 2: Write the smallest rule that can work

Start from the simplest viable rule:

• pattern first for direct structural matches
• kind plus relational rules for more complex structures
• all, any, or not only when needed

Rules:

• add stopBy: end to inside and has unless a tighter stop condition is intentional
• keep the rule minimal until it proves insufficient
• escape metavariables correctly when using inline shell commands

Load references/rule_reference.md for rule semantics.

Success criteria: The rule is syntactically valid and appropriately simple for the problem.

Step 3: Test the rule on the example

Test the rule against the example snippet using --stdin or a temporary file.

Check:

• it matches the intended example
• it does not obviously overmatch
• relational rules traverse the intended scope

If the rule fails:

• simplify it
• re-check the AST
• adjust kind names or rule shape
• retest before touching the repository

Success criteria: The rule matches the known example correctly.

Step 4: Search the codebase and validate results

Once the rule works on the example, run it against the repository.

Then validate:

• total match count
• representative file paths and lines
• 3 to 5 spot-checks to confirm the intent
• edge cases the user explicitly mentioned

Rules:

• if Grep would have been enough after all, say so, but complete the current ast-grep search if already in motion
• if the rule becomes too complex or brittle, narrow the query rather than returning unverified noise

Load references/search-recipes.md for common search and debug flows.

Success criteria: The repository results are credible, reproducible, and not obviously noisy.

Step 5: Report the results and reusable rule

Report:

• pattern description
• language
• rule type used
• match count
• representative file:line matches
• the final reusable rule or command shape

If no matches were found, say so explicitly and explain whether that likely means:

• the pattern does not exist
• the rule was intentionally narrow
• more clarification is needed

Success criteria: The user can rerun the search or refine it from your output.

Guardrails

• Do not add disable-model-invocation; this is a non-destructive search skill.
• Do not add context: fork; the user usually wants the result in the current flow.
• Do not add paths:; this is a generic search workflow.
• Do not search the repository with an untested rule when the query is non-trivial.
• Do not keep giant CLI manuals, recipe catalogs, or failure encyclopedias inline in SKILL.md.
• Do not use ast-grep when plain Grep is clearly sufficient.

When To Load References

• references/rule_reference.md Use for ast-grep rule syntax, relational rules, composite rules, and metavariable semantics.

• references/search-recipes.md Use for installation guidance, command patterns, common use cases, and debugging flows.

Output Contract

Report:

1. the structural pattern searched for
2. the language and rule type used
3. the match count and representative file:line results
4. the final rule or reusable command shape
5. any important caveats or follow-up refinements