name: github-search description: "Search GitHub for repos, code, and usage examples using gh CLI. Capabilities: repo discovery, code search, finding library usage patterns, issue/PR search. Actions: search, find, discover repos/code/examples. Keywords: gh, github, search repos, search code, find examples, how to use library, stars, language filter. Use when: finding repositories, searching code patterns, discovering how libraries are used, exploring open source." allowed-tools: Bash, Read

GitHub Search

Quick Commands

Patterns

Finding Repositories

When you see: User wants to find projects/repos by criteria Use: gh search repos

# Basic search with stars
gh search repos "stars:>500 language:rust" --sort=stars --limit=50

# Multiple languages (OR logic)
gh search repos "language:rust language:go language:typescript"

# Exclude topics
gh search repos "stars:>1000 -topic:cryptocurrency -topic:blockchain"

# By topic
gh search repos "topic:cli topic:terminal stars:>100"

# Recently updated
gh search repos "language:python pushed:>2024-01-01"

Output formats:

--json name,url,description,stargazersCount  # JSON output
--web                                         # Open in browser

Finding Code Examples

When you see: User wants to know how to use a library Use: gh search code

# Find usage patterns
gh search code "from zod import" --limit=20
gh search code "import { z } from 'zod'" --limit=20

# In specific file types
gh search code "useQuery" extension:tsx --limit=30

# In specific paths
gh search code "tanstack/query" path:src/ extension:ts

# Exact phrase
gh search code '"createTRPCRouter"' extension:ts

Pro tip: Combine with repo filter for focused results:

gh search code "pattern" repo:owner/repo

Finding Issues/Discussions

When you see: User looking for bug reports, feature requests, or discussions Use: gh search issues or gh search prs

# Open issues with label
gh search issues "is:open label:bug repo:facebook/react"

# PRs by author
gh search prs "author:username is:merged"

# Issues mentioning error
gh search issues '"connection refused" language:go'

Query Qualifiers Reference

Repo Search

Code Search

Common Flags

Common Use Cases

"Find popular X repos"

gh search repos "language:X stars:>500" --sort=stars --limit=50

"How do people use library Y"

gh search code "import Y" extension:ts --limit=30
gh search code "from Y import" extension:py --limit=30

"Find repos like Z but exclude crypto"

gh search repos "topic:Z -topic:cryptocurrency -topic:blockchain -topic:web3"

"Find recent active projects"

gh search repos "language:go pushed:>2024-06-01 stars:>100" --sort=updated

Tips

1. Quote the query when it contains special chars: gh search repos "stars:>500"
2. Multiple languages = OR: language:rust language:go matches either
3. Use --json for scripting: --json name,url,stargazersCount
4. Date ranges: pushed:2024-01-01..2024-06-01
5. Numeric ranges: stars:100..500