Basemind Index Scan
Goldziher/basemind
Builds or refreshes the basemind code index from the command line, for when basemind reports no index or its MCP server is not running.
Directs an agent to use a local codebase index for repository orientation, definition lookups, call graphs and semantic search before turning to web lookups.
Install Codebase Search Workflow
$ npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a claude-codeProject install by default; add -g for ~/.claude/skills/.
$ gh skill install Helweg/open-codebase-index codebase-search --agent claude-codeProject scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index.git skills-src && mkdir -p .claude/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/codebase-search .claude/skills/codebase-search && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.claude/skills/ instead of .claude/skills for a personal install. The folder must contain SKILL.md.
Claude Code skills documentation · loads skills from .claude/skills/
Install the "codebase-search" agent skill from https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index/tree/main/skills/codebase-search into .claude/skills/codebase-search/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "codebase-search", then confirm the skill loads.Claude Code copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$skill-installer install https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index/tree/main/skills/codebase-searchType this inside Codex. $skill-installer <name> installs a curated skill from openai/skills. The installer writes to $CODEX_HOME/skills (default ~/.codex/skills). Restart Codex if the skill does not show up.
$ npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a codexProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.codex/skills/.
$ gh skill install Helweg/open-codebase-index codebase-search --agent codexProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index.git skills-src && mkdir -p .agents/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/codebase-search .agents/skills/codebase-search && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.agents/skills/ instead of .agents/skills for a personal install.
Codex skills documentation · loads skills from .agents/skills/
Install the "codebase-search" agent skill from https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index/tree/main/skills/codebase-search into .agents/skills/codebase-search/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "codebase-search", then confirm the skill loads.Codex copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a cursorProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.cursor/skills/.
$ gh skill install Helweg/open-codebase-index codebase-search --agent cursorProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index.git skills-src && mkdir -p .cursor/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/codebase-search .cursor/skills/codebase-search && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.cursor/skills/ instead of .cursor/skills for a personal install.
Cursor skills documentation · loads skills from .cursor/skills/, .agents/skills/, .claude/skills/, .codex/skills/
Install the "codebase-search" agent skill from https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index/tree/main/skills/codebase-search into .cursor/skills/codebase-search/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "codebase-search", then confirm the skill loads.Cursor copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gemini skills install https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index.git --path skills/codebase-search--scope user (default) or --scope workspace; --path is the subfolder of the repo that holds the skill; --consent skips the security confirmation prompt.
$ npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a gemini-cliProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.gemini/skills/.
$ gh skill install Helweg/open-codebase-index codebase-search --agent gemini-cliProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index.git skills-src && mkdir -p .gemini/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/codebase-search .gemini/skills/codebase-search && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.gemini/skills/ instead of .gemini/skills for a personal install, then run /skills reload.
Gemini CLI skills documentation · loads skills from .gemini/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "codebase-search" agent skill from https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index/tree/main/skills/codebase-search into .gemini/skills/codebase-search/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "codebase-search", then confirm the skill loads.Gemini CLI copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ gh skill install Helweg/open-codebase-index codebase-searchInstalls for Copilot at project scope by default; add --scope user for a personal install. Preview a skill first with gh skill preview. Needs GitHub CLI 2.90.0 or later (public preview).
$ npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a github-copilotProject install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.copilot/skills/.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index.git skills-src && mkdir -p .github/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/codebase-search .github/skills/codebase-search && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.copilot/skills/ instead of .github/skills for a personal install. Commit .github/skills so cloud agent and code review can use it.
GitHub Copilot skills documentation · loads skills from .github/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "codebase-search" agent skill from https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index/tree/main/skills/codebase-search into .github/skills/codebase-search/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "codebase-search", then confirm the skill loads.GitHub Copilot copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
$ npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a opencodeOpenCode documents no install command of its own. Project install goes to .agents/skills/; add -g for ~/.config/opencode/skills/.
$ gh skill install Helweg/open-codebase-index codebase-search --agent opencodeProject scope by default (.agents/skills/); add --scope user for a personal install.
$ git clone --depth 1 https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index.git skills-src && mkdir -p .opencode/skills && cp -r skills-src/skills/codebase-search .opencode/skills/codebase-search && rm -rf skills-srcUse ~/.config/opencode/skills/ instead of .opencode/skills for a personal install.
OpenCode skills documentation · loads skills from .opencode/skills/, .claude/skills/, .agents/skills/
Install the "codebase-search" agent skill from https://github.com/Helweg/open-codebase-index/tree/main/skills/codebase-search into .opencode/skills/codebase-search/ in this project. Copy the whole folder (SKILL.md and every file beside it), keep the folder name "codebase-search", then confirm the skill loads.OpenCode copies the folder itself, the same result as the manual copy. Check what it changed before you commit it.
Facts
- Skill name
codebase-search- GitHub stars
- 217
- Token cost
- ~822 tokens
- SKILL.md length
- 352 words
- Files
- 1
- Skills in repo
- 2
- Repo updated
- First seen
- Licence
- MIT
At a glance
Directs an agent to use a local codebase index for repository orientation, definition lookups, call graphs and semantic search before turning to web lookups.
- Works in 6 steps: Run index_status when index readiness or… → When repository orientation is needed… → For a known definition, use… → …
- Getting oriented in an unfamiliar repository before reading files
- SKILL.md covers Core workflow, Tool Priority, Suggested Commands and Additional Notes
- Instructions only: no scripts, shell commands, URLs or credentials in SKILL.md
What it does
This skill sets the order in which an agent uses the tools of a local semantic codebase index. When index readiness is unknown it checks index_status. For an unfamiliar repository it makes one compact codebase_context pass with a token budget of 600 and a limit of 5, inspects the evidence it returns, and does not call it mechanically before every task. Known targets go straight to implementation_lookup, to call_graph for callers or callees, and to call_graph_path for the relationship between two identified endpoints.
Other tools fill specific roles: codebase_edit_context gives bounded target source plus direct callers and callees before an edit, codebase_peek returns metadata-only semantic locations, codebase_search returns matching source content, find_similar spots analogous code and duplicates, and plain grep handles exact identifiers. If results look weak, the agent checks readiness and scope with index_status and runs index_codebase only when the index is missing, stale or incompatible. The skill names OpenCode, MCP, Pi, omp and Codex as the hosts it targets.
When your agent uses it
- Getting oriented in an unfamiliar repository before reading files
- Finding callers or callees of a known function
- Locating analogous or duplicated implementations in a codebase
- Scoping a change by pulling bounded context around a target symbol
Example prompts
- “Explain how the payment processing flow works in this repo, starting from the index.”
- “Who calls chargeCard, and what does it call in turn?”
- “Find other places that implement something similar to this retry helper.”
Requirements
- The codebase index tools available in your agent host
Workflow steps
6 steps, taken from the first numbered list in SKILL.md.
- Run index_status when index readiness or freshness is unknown.
- When repository orientation is needed (layout, relevant symbols, or cross-file intent), use one compact codebase_context(query…
- For a known definition, use implementation_lookup(query) directly. For callers or callees, use call_graph(name, direction) directly; for…
- For a change with a known or suspected target symbol, optionally use codebase_edit_context for bounded target source plus direct callers…
- Use codebase_peek(query, ...) when only semantic locations are needed, and codebase_search(query, ...) when matching source content is…
- Read known paths directly and use grep for exact identifiers or exhaustive literal matches. Use find_similar(code) for analogous…
What it can do on your machine
Read from SKILL.md and the folder at commit 6d5025f. It shows what the files ask for, not the result of running them.
Tool permissions
Pre-approves nothing: there is no allowed-tools line, so your agent's usual permission prompts apply.
From allowed-tools in the SKILL.md frontmatter.
Runs code
No scripts in the folder and no shell commands in SKILL.md.
From the folder's file list and the shell code blocks in SKILL.md.
Network
No URLs in SKILL.md.
From URLs in SKILL.md, links to its own repository left out.
Credentials
Names no API keys, tokens, secrets or passwords.
From names ending in _API_KEY, _TOKEN, _SECRET, _KEY or _PASSWORD in SKILL.md.
Context cost
Codebase Search Workflow loads about 822 tokens when it runs. Until then it costs about 55 tokens; SKILL.md has 352 words of instructions outside code blocks.
Estimates: characters ÷ 4, the usual rule of thumb; real counts depend on the model's tokenizer. Scripts and assets cost tokens only if the agent reads them.
Safety
Auto-check passed
The automated check found no risky patterns in SKILL.md.
Automated static check — not a guarantee. Review scripts before installing. It scans the text of SKILL.md for risky patterns (piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files, hidden Unicode, destructive commands); files beside SKILL.md are not scanned.
SKILL.md
The full file from Helweg/open-codebase-index at commit 6d5025f, republished under its MIT licence (© Helweg). 352 words, ~822 tokens.
Download SKILL.mdSave it as
.claude/skills/codebase-search/SKILL.md (or your agent's skills folder).- name
- codebase-search
- description
- Task-specific local codebase-understanding workflow for OpenCode, MCP, Pi, omp, and Codex. Use compact context for unfamiliar repository orientation, direct definition and graph tools for known targets.
Codebase Search Skill
Use this skill when you need local repository knowledge before web lookup.
Core workflow
- Run
index_statuswhen index readiness or freshness is unknown. - When repository orientation is needed (layout, relevant symbols, or cross-file intent), use one compact
codebase_context(query, tokenBudget: 600, limit: 5)first pass and inspect returned evidence before broad reads or searches. Do not call it mechanically before every task or tool. - For a known definition, use
implementation_lookup(query)directly. For callers or callees, usecall_graph(name, direction)directly; for relationships between identified endpoints, usecall_graph_path(from, to)directly. - For a change with a known or suspected target symbol, optionally use
codebase_edit_contextfor bounded target source plus direct callers and callees. - Use
codebase_peek(query, ...)when only semantic locations are needed, andcodebase_search(query, ...)when matching source content is needed. Neither requires another context call when the task is already scoped. - Read known paths directly and use
grepfor exact identifiers or exhaustive literal matches. Usefind_similar(code)for analogous implementations and duplicates.
Avoid repeating broad reads or retrieval when existing evidence already answers the question. If results are weak, check readiness, compatibility, and scope with index_status; run index_codebase only when the index is missing, stale, or incompatible.
Show full SKILL.md (151 more words)Show less
Tool Priority
codebase_contextfor compact, unfamiliar-repository orientation; explicitsymbolandfrom+torouting remains supported.implementation_lookupfor known definitions.call_graphandcall_graph_pathfor relationships once symbols or endpoints are identified.codebase_edit_contextas an optional bounded pre-edit step.codebase_peekfor metadata-only semantic locations.codebase_searchfor matching implementation content.find_similarfor pattern matching and duplication.index_codebase(force/estimate/dryRun/verbose) for first-time or stale indexes.index_status,index_health_check,index_metrics,index_logsfor operational checks.
Suggested Commands
- Unfamiliar subsystem:
codebase_context("payment processing flow", tokenBudget: 600, limit: 5). - Known definition:
implementation_lookup("validate"). - Callers or callees:
call_graph("chargeCard", "callees"). - Known endpoints:
call_graph_path("submitPayment", "chargeCard"). - Change target:
codebase_edit_context(query: "reject expired tokens", symbol: "validateToken"). - Matching source after scope is known:
codebase_search("payment retry guards"). - Analogous code:
find_similar("function validate(data)").
Additional Notes
- Use
grepfor exact identifiers and tiny, deterministic lookups. - Use
websearchonly when local tools return no results and docs are likely missing. - Choose the next tool from the evidence needed, not a mandatory context → peek → search chain.
© Helweg, MIT. Rendered from Markdown: HTML in the file is shown as text, images as links, and headings moved down two levels. Raw file
Files
Just SKILL.md in skills/codebase-search of Helweg/open-codebase-index.
Open the folder on GitHubat commit 6d5025f
Compare with similar skills
Codebase Search Workflow next to the 5 skills that share the most tags, products or categories with it. Stars are the repository's; “used in” counts other GitHub owners with a copy.
| Skill | Stars | Used in | Tokens | Auto-check | Licence | Repo updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codebase Search Workflow this skillHelweg/open-codebase-index | 217 | — | ~822 | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Basemind Index ScanGoldziher/basemind | 106 | — | ~997 | Automated safety check: Warn | MIT | |
| trace-mcp Code Navigationnikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp | 186 | — | ~1.6k | Automated safety check: Notes | MIT | |
| Basemind Code ContextGoldziher/basemind | 106 | — | ~2.6k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| MCP Code Search Tool SelectionContext-Engine-AI/Context-Engine | 402 | — | ~1.3k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT | |
| Context-Engine Code SearchContext-Engine-AI/Context-Engine | 402 | — | ~14k | Automated safety check: Pass | MIT |
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More from Helweg/open-codebase-index
Codebase Search
Helweg/open-codebase-index
Chooses the right retrieval tool for code questions: compact context for unfamiliar repos, direct lookup for known symbols, call graphs for relationships and grep for exhaustive matches.
Related
Works with
Categories
Questions about Codebase Search Workflow
What does Codebase Search Workflow do?
Directs an agent to use a local codebase index for repository orientation, definition lookups, call graphs and semantic search before turning to web lookups. This skill sets the order in which an agent uses the tools of a local semantic codebase index. When index readiness is unknown it checks index_status.
When should I use Codebase Search Workflow?
Codebase Search Workflow fits situations like: getting oriented in an unfamiliar repository before reading files; finding callers or callees of a known function; locating analogous or duplicated implementations in a codebase; scoping a change by pulling bounded context around a target symbol.
How do I install Codebase Search Workflow in Claude Code?
Run `npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a claude-code`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/codebase-search in Helweg/open-codebase-index) into .claude/skills/codebase-search in your project. Claude Code loads it when a task matches its description.
How do I install Codebase Search Workflow in Codex?
Run `npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a codex`. Or copy the skill folder (skills/codebase-search in Helweg/open-codebase-index) into .agents/skills/codebase-search in your project. Codex loads it when a task matches its description.
Can I use Codebase Search Workflow in Cursor, Gemini CLI or GitHub Copilot?
Cursor, Gemini CLI, GitHub Copilot and OpenCode also load SKILL.md folders. With the skills CLI, run `npx skills add Helweg/open-codebase-index --skill codebase-search -a cursor` (or -a gemini-cli, github-copilot or opencode for the others). To copy it by hand, put the folder in .cursor/skills/codebase-search, .gemini/skills/codebase-search, .github/skills/codebase-search and .opencode/skills/codebase-search in your project.
What does Codebase Search Workflow need to run?
SKILL.md names no scripts, command-line tools or credentials: Codebase Search Workflow is instructions for the agent only. Our summary lists: The codebase index tools available in your agent host.
Does Codebase Search Workflow access the network?
SKILL.md contains no URLs. Any network use would come from the scripts or tools the agent runs. This is read from the text; nothing was executed.
Is Codebase Search Workflow safe to install?
Our automated static check of SKILL.md found no risky patterns, such as piping downloads into a shell, reading credential files or hidden Unicode. It is not a guarantee. Review the folder before installing.
What licence does Codebase Search Workflow use?
Codebase Search Workflow is published under the MIT licence (the repository's licence). It allows redistribution, so the full SKILL.md is shown on this page.
How many tokens does Codebase Search Workflow use?
About 822 tokens (SKILL.md is roughly 3.3k characters). Agents keep only the skill's name and description in context until a task matches; then they load SKILL.md in full.
What are the alternatives to Codebase Search Workflow?
Skills that share tags, products or a category with Codebase Search Workflow: Basemind Index Scan (Goldziher/basemind, 106 stars), trace-mcp Code Navigation (nikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp, 186 stars), Basemind Code Context (Goldziher/basemind, 106 stars) and MCP Code Search Tool Selection (Context-Engine-AI/Context-Engine, 402 stars). The comparison table on this page puts their stars, adoption, token cost, safety result and licence side by side.
Who maintains Codebase Search Workflow?
Helweg (a GitHub user) maintains it in Helweg/open-codebase-index, which has 217 GitHub stars. The repository holds 2 skills in this directory. The repository was last updated on October 7, 2026.
Source: Helweg/open-codebase-index on GitHub. Facts on this page come from the repository at the commit we read; the author's words are quoted as theirs.