What is zvec-grep?
zvec-grep, also called zg, is a workspace search tool for developers and AI agents. Powered by zvec, it combines ripgrep exact matching, BM25 lexical ranking, and vector search in a shared interface. It preserves source locations and useful document structure, with code retrieval informed by symbols, signatures, and breadcrumbs.
The tool installs through npm and runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows. Its CLI and supported agents use the same indexed workspace. Files, indexes, and local embedding models remain on the machine by default; remote embedding services receive data only with permission. An interactive installer configures search tools for supported agent clients.
zvec-grep screenshots
Explore the interface. Open a screenshot to view it at full size.
Source: official zvec-grep project page.
Key capabilities
- Hybrid retrieval Combines semantic search and ranked lexical retrieval, with exact text and regular expression matching available for verification.
- Multi-format indexing Searches source code, documents, and structured data while retaining useful structure and source locations.
- Evidence previews Returns ranked passages with source references and supports detailed previews and line-numbered exact matches.
- Shared workspace access Makes the same indexed content available through the terminal and supported AI agents, including MCP-based search.
- Local embeddings Supports local embedding models and keeps indexes under the indexed project root, with remote embeddings requiring permission.
Where zvec-grep fits
zvec-grep fits repository exploration when the relevant file or identifier is not known in advance. Developers and coding agents can use it to investigate architecture, trace data flow across modules, or locate supporting passages in local document collections. Exact matching provides a way to check identifiers after semantic discovery narrows the search.
Before deployment, teams should check retrieval quality on their own workspace, local model resource requirements, and the configuration of their chosen agent client. They should also review permission settings before enabling remote embeddings. Agent-driven results depend on whether and how the model chooses to use the search tools.
Install
npm install -g @zvec/zvec-grep --allow-scripts=@zvec/zvec-grepReviews of zvec-grep
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