RepoQL Search Patterns

RepoQL provides multiple search approaches. Choose based on what you're looking for.

Search Methods

1. Explore with Locate (Recommended Start)

Intent-based search with ranked results.

code

repoql_explore(
  intent="Locate",
  keywords="authentication flow",
  tokenBudget=1500
)

2. SQL search() Function

Semantic + lexical hybrid search.

sql

SELECT * FROM search('config validation', k := 10)

3. Symbol Search

Find by function/type name.

sql

SELECT * FROM search_symbol('ValidateToken')
SELECT * FROM search_symbol('Auth%')  -- Wildcards

Scoping Searches

By Path (Explore)

Use uriGlob parameter with glob patterns:

code

uriGlob="file:///src/**/*.cs"          -- All C# in src
uriGlob="file:///src/services/**"      -- Services folder
uriGlob="file:///tests/**"             -- Tests only

By Path (SQL)

Filter in WHERE clause:

sql

SELECT * FROM search('error', k := 20)
WHERE uri LIKE 'file:///src/%'

By Language

sql

SELECT * FROM search('validation', k := 10)
WHERE lang = 'typescript'

Boost and Penalize

Adjust result ranking with regex patterns.

Boost (Prioritize Matches)

code

boost="(?i)auth|token"     -- Case-insensitive, boost auth/token
boost="Service$"           -- Boost files ending in Service

Penalize (Demote Matches)

code

penalize="(?i)test|mock"   -- Demote test files
penalize="\.spec\."        -- Demote spec files

Combined Example

code

repoql_explore(
  intent="Locate",
  keywords="error handling",
  boost="(?i)exception|error",
  penalize="(?i)test|mock|spec",
  tokenBudget=2000
)

Search Tips

Questions work well as keywords:

•"how does authentication work"
•"where are errors logged"
•"what validates user input"

Be specific when possible:

•"JWT refresh token validation" > "auth"
•"database connection retry" > "retry"

Use multiple searches:

•Broad search to understand landscape
•Narrow search once you know the area
•Symbol search for specific names

Read with Search

Combine search with read for targeted content:

code

# Find relevant files
repoql_explore(intent="Locate", keywords="error handling", tokenBudget=1000)

# Read specific file with budget
repoql_read(uri="file:///src/ErrorHandler.cs", tokenBudget=3000)

# Or add question for synthesis
repoql_read(uri="file:///src/ErrorHandler.cs // What error types are handled?", tokenBudget=2000)