cross_repo_search
Search symbols across all indexed repos simultaneously. Supports repo_pattern filtering.
What it does
Searches for symbols across all indexed repositories simultaneously. Supports repo_pattern filtering to scope to a subset.
Benchmark
| Approach | Tokens | Calls |
|---|---|---|
| Native (3 separate grep calls) | 16,917 | 3 |
cross_repo_search | 803 | 1 |
| Reduction | −95% | −67% |
The deeper value
When a utility function is used across 5 repos and you’re about to change its signature, cross_repo_search tells you where it’s defined — across all repos — in one call. Native tooling requires separate grep runs and manual result aggregation.
Related tools
Benchmark note
This benchmark compares CodeSift against the closest practical native workflow an agent would use for the same task.
For some tools, that baseline is a direct shell equivalent such as rg or find.
For AST-aware, graph-aware, and LSP-backed tools, the baseline is a multi-step workflow rather than a strictly identical command.
Results should be read as agent-workflow comparisons: token cost, call count, and practical context efficiency.