Code Structure Exploration Tools

Code Structure Exploration Tools

Recognizing Structure Questions

These keywords mean use structure tools, NOT grep/​search:

• "all the methods/​functions/​classes in..."
• "list of function signatures"
• "what functions/​exports/​API..."
• "package API" or "module exports"
• "method signatures with receivers" (Go)
• "what's available in..."

These keywords mean use search (Grep tool or ast-grep):

• "where is X defined"
• "find calls to X"
• "search for pattern Y"

Before You Choose a Tool

Ask yourself:

1. Am I listing/​exploring what exists? → Structure tools
2. Am I finding WHERE something is? → Search tools (Grep or ast-grep)
3. Am I understanding HOW something works? → Read

When to Get File Outline vs Read

Get outline/​index when:

• File is large (>500 lines)
• Need to see what's available (functions, classes, exports)
• Exploring unfamiliar code
• Want to decide what to read in detail
• Saves 90%+ context vs reading entire file

Just use Read when:

• File is small (<500 lines)
• Already know what you're looking for
• Need to understand implementation details
• ast-grep pattern already targets what you need

Anti-Patterns

DON'T use grep/​rg/​Grep tool for:

• Extracting function/​method lists
• Getting API overviews
• Finding all exports/​public members
• Getting signatures/​interfaces

These are STRUCTURE queries, not SEARCH queries.

Exploration Strategy

Tiered approach (try in order):

1. ast-grep with known patterns - Fast, targeted

   • Extract exports, functions, classes with specific patterns
   • See code structure guide for patterns

2. Toolchain-specific approaches - When available

   • Go: go doc -all <package> for all methods/​functions with signatures
     • Example: "list all methods" → go doc -all ./​internal/​pkg
     • Example: "method signatures" → go doc -all ./​internal/​pkg
   • Python: Language-specific indexers
   • ctags/​universal-ctags: Symbol index across languages
   • See code structure guide for examples

3. Read file - Last resort for exploration

   • Sometimes necessary to understand structure

Key Principle

Use structure tools to decide what to read, then read selectively.

Don't read 1000-line files blind. Get an outline first, then read the 50 lines you actually need.

Detailed Patterns

For language-specific extraction patterns, ast-grep examples, ctags usage, and integration strategies, load code structure guide.