| name | ashlr-search |
| description | Genome-aware search habits for Claude Code. Prefer ashlr__grep and ashlr__glob over native scans; compose multi-term queries; trust genome summaries; orient once before searching. Reduces redundant reads and search token cost 40–70%. |
Ashlr Search
Shift every search operation to the genome-aware layer so redundant file reads are eliminated before they happen.
Core rules (active when this skill is enabled)
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Orient first. Run ashlr__orient once at the start of each task — before any grep or glob. The genome overview often answers the "where does X live?" question without a single file read.
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Prefer ashlr__grep over native Grep. ashlr__grep is genome-aware: when a .ashlrcode/genome/ directory exists it returns pre-summarized relevant sections instead of raw ripgrep output. The token cost is 70–90% lower on large repos.
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Prefer ashlr__glob over native Glob. Same reason — genome-aware glob filters to relevant paths and avoids returning thousands of lines for broad patterns.
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Compose multi-term queries with | alternation. A single call ashlr__grep("auth|session|token") is cheaper than three sequential calls. Combine related terms whenever the goal is "find anything touching X".
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Trust genome section summaries. When ashlr__grep returns a genome section match with a summary, read the summary — do NOT immediately open the referenced file unless you need exact line content for an edit. Genome summaries are curated; they reflect what actually matters in that section.
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Do not re-search what's already in context. If a previous tool call already returned content for a file or pattern, use that result. Re-running the same grep costs tokens and returns nothing new.
Anti-patterns
- Running native
Grep when ashlr__grep is available
- Running 3+ sequential single-term greps instead of one combined query
- Reading a full file after a genome summary already answered the question
- Globbing broad patterns (
**/*.ts) without first checking the genome manifest
Example
# Good: orient first, then one composed grep
ashlr__orient()
ashlr__grep("authMiddleware|verifyToken|session.userId")
# Bad: three native greps, no orient
Grep("authMiddleware")
Grep("verifyToken")
Grep("session.userId")
Activation
Enable via /ashlr-search on or by writing {"enabled":true} to ~/.ashlr/search.json. Toggle off with /ashlr-search off.
