gabb-code-navigation

name	gabb-code-navigation
description	Teaches when to use gabb_structure for efficient file exploration. Use gabb_structure before reading large files in supported languages.
allowed-tools	mcp__gabb__gabb_structure, mcp__gabb__gabb_symbol, Edit, Write, Bash, Read, Glob

Gabb Code Navigation

Installation

gabb can be installed per-project (gabb init --mcp --skill) or globally (gabb install-global). When installed globally, gabb is available in all Claude Code sessions without per-project setup.

Search Strategy Decision Flow

When you need to find code, follow this order:

1. Task names specific file/function? → Read directly (skip exploration)
2. Looking for a code construct by name? → gabb_symbol
3. Looking for text content (strings, error messages)? → Grep
4. Need to understand file layout? → gabb_structure

gabb_symbol - Workspace Symbol Search

Search for symbols (functions, classes, methods) by name across the workspace.

When to use:

• Task mentions a function/class/method name to find or fix
• You need to find where something is defined
• Grep would return too many false positives

Example:

gabb_symbol name="update_proxy_model_permissions"
→ function update_proxy_model_permissions [prod] migrations/0011_update_proxy_permissions.py:5:1

Use Grep instead when:

• Searching for error messages or string literals
• Looking for text patterns, not code identifiers

gabb_structure - File Layout Preview

First: Assess if exploration is needed (see MCP instructions). For trivial tasks with obvious targets, go directly to the file.

If exploring: Before reading large or unfamiliar code files, consider using gabb_structure to preview the layout. This saves tokens when you only need part of a large file.

Recommended for:

• Large files (>100 lines) where you only need part
• Unfamiliar codebases where you're exploring
• Files you'll read multiple times

Skip when:

• You already know exactly what you're looking for
• The file is likely small (<100 lines)
• You can answer from existing context
• Files you've already seen structure for in this conversation
• You're searching for string literals, regex patterns, or error messages (gabb_structure shows symbols, not strings—use Grep directly)

Supported Languages

Language	Extensions
Python	.py, .pyi
TypeScript	.ts, .tsx
Rust	.rs
Go	.go
Kotlin	.kt, .kts
C++	.cpp, .cc, .cxx, .hpp, .hh
C#	.cs
Ruby	.rb

Usage Patterns

Symbol Search

gabb_symbol name="MyClass"
→ class MyClass [prod] src/models.py:45:1

File Structure Preview

1. gabb_structure file="src/large_file.rs"
   → Returns symbol names, kinds, line numbers (NO source code)

2. Read file_path="src/large_file.rs" offset=150 limit=50
   → Read only the section you need

What gabb_structure Output Looks Like

/path/to/file.rs:450
Summary: 15 functions, 3 structs | 450 lines
Key types: MyStruct (10 methods)

MyStruct st 10
 new fn 12
 process fn 17
helper fn 30
main fn 50

The output shows:

• File path and line count
• Summary stats (function count, struct count, line count)
• Key types with method counts
• Compact symbol tree: name kind_abbrev line with single-space indent for children