ast-grep

Structural code search with AST patterns translates natural language queries into ast-grep rules to locate code based on its abstract syntax tree shape. This allows you to find language constructs like async functions with specific nested elements rather than relying on regex string matching.

Ast-grep is used for static analysis to perform structural search across codebases. It applies atomic, relational, and composite rules with metavariables to identify code matching particular AST characteristics, satisfying the need to locate complex language constructs.

Yes, you can find all async functions with specific constructs by describing your search goal in natural language. The skill translates this query into an ast-grep rule to scan your codebase and review the matching structural patterns.

Ast-grep works across codebases where structural patterns matter by utilizing tree-sitter. It relies on the ast-grep CLI and rule reference documentation to apply structural matching rules consistently across different programming languages.

You write ast-grep rules with metavariables by translating natural language queries into atomic, relational, and composite rules. The skill generates these structural patterns based on the ast-grep CLI rule reference documentation to match specific AST characteristics.

The best way to identify code with particular AST shapes is to translate your natural language search goal into an ast-grep rule. You then run the ast-grep CLI with this rule to scan your codebase and review the structural matches.