ast-grep

# ast-grep Code Search > Adapted from upstream [ast-grep/agent-skill](https://github.com/ast-grep/agent-skill). Workspace-customized frontmatter; body refactored 2026-06-16 (CLI catalog split to `references/cli-cookbook.md`, voice/never sections added). ## Overview This skill helps translate natural language queries into ast-grep rules for structural code search. ast-grep uses Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) patterns to match code based on its structure rather than just text, enabling powerful and precise code search across large codebases. ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when users: - Need to search for code patterns using structural matching (e.g., "find all async functions that don't have error handling") - Want to locate specific language constructs (e.g., "find all function calls with specific parameters") - Request searches that require understanding code structure rather than just text - Ask to search for code with particular AST characteristics - Need to perform complex code queries that traditional text search cannot handle ## General Workflow Follow this process to help users write effective ast-grep rules: ### Step 1: Understand the Query Clearly understand what the user wants to find. Ask clarifying questions if needed: - What specific code pattern or structure are they looking for? - Which programming language? - Are there specific edge cases or variations to consider? - What should be included or excluded from matches? ### Step 2: Create Example Co...