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gh-search-code

@aaddrick/gh-cli-search
1
0

Use when searching code within GitHub repositories - provides syntax for file extensions, filenames, languages, sizes, exclusions, and using -w flag for regex search via web interface

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SKILL.md

name gh-search-code
description Use when searching code within GitHub repositories - provides syntax for file extensions, filenames, languages, sizes, exclusions, and using -w flag for regex search via web interface

GitHub CLI: Search Code

Overview

Search for code within GitHub repositories using gh search code. Important: CLI API uses legacy search engine. For regex and advanced features, use -w flag to open in web browser.

When to Use

Use this skill when:

  • Searching for code patterns across repositories
  • Finding specific file types or filenames
  • Locating code by language or file size
  • Need to exclude certain results (requires -- flag)
  • Need regex search (use -w to open in browser)

Syntax

gh search code <query> [flags]

Key Flags Reference

Flag Purpose Example
--extension <string> Filter by file extension --extension js
--filename <string> Target specific filenames --filename package.json
--language <string> Filter by programming language --language python
--owner <strings> Limit to specific owners --owner microsoft
-R, --repo <strings> Search within repository --repo cli/cli
--size <string> Filter by file size (KB) --size ">100"
--match <strings> Search in file or path --match file or --match path
-L, --limit <int> Max results (default: 30) --limit 100
-w, --web Open in browser -w
--json <fields> JSON output --json path,repository

JSON Output Fields

Available fields: path, repository, sha, textMatches, url

Critical Syntax Rules

1. Exclusions Require --

Unix/Linux/Mac:

gh search code -- "function -filename:test.js"

PowerShell:

gh --% search code -- "function -filename:test.js"

2. Quoting Rules

Multi-word search:

gh search code "error handling"

Complex queries with qualifiers:

gh search code "TODO in:file" --language javascript

3. Size Comparisons

Use quotes for comparison operators:

gh search code "import" --size ">50" --language python

Common Use Cases

Search for function patterns:

gh search code "async function" --language typescript

Find configuration files:

gh search code "database" --filename config.json --owner myorg

Search in specific repo:

gh search code "TODO" --repo owner/repo --language go

Exclude test files:

gh search code -- "function -filename:test"

Search by file size:

gh search code "import" --size "100..500" --language python

Use regex (via web):

# Open in browser for regex support
gh search code "function.*test" --language javascript -w
# Web UI allows: /function.*test/ or /class\s+\w+/

Build complex query, refine in web:

# Start with CLI filters, finish with regex in browser
gh search code --owner microsoft --language typescript -w

Common Mistakes

Mistake Problem Fix
gh search code import -language:js -language interpreted as flag Use --: gh search code -- "import -language:js"
Not quoting multi-word queries Searches separately Quote: "error handling"
Forgetting quotes on comparisons Shell interprets > Quote: --size ">100"
Using -filename inline without -- Parsed as flag Use --: -- "code -filename:test"
Trying regex via CLI CLI API doesn't support regex Use -w flag: gh search code "pattern" -w

Installation Check

If gh command not found:

# Check if gh is installed
which gh

# If not installed, see: https://cli.github.com/manual/installation

If not authenticated:

# Authenticate with GitHub
gh auth login

Web Browser Flag (-w/--web)

Important workaround for advanced features:

The -w/--web flag opens your search in GitHub's web interface, which supports features not available via CLI API:

Regex Search (Web Only)

# This opens in browser where you can use regex
gh search code "function.*test" --language javascript -w

# In the web UI, you can then modify to use regex syntax:
# /function.*test/ language:javascript

When to Use -w

Use the web flag when you need:

  • Regex patterns - /pattern/ syntax for complex matching
  • Advanced filters - Newer GitHub search features
  • Visual browsing - Easier to explore results visually
  • Better results - Web uses newer search engine

Combining CLI + Web

# Build query with CLI, open in web for regex
gh search code --language python --repo myorg/myrepo -w
# Then add regex pattern in web UI

Limitations (CLI API)

  • Powered by legacy GitHub search engine
  • Results may differ from github.com
  • Regex search not available via CLI (use -w flag instead)
  • Some advanced features may not work
  • Workaround: Use -w/--web to access full GitHub search features

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