Sensegrep
Sensegrep is a source-code search tool for developers and AI coding agents.
What Sensegrep is
Sensegrep is a source-code search tool for developers and AI coding agents. It searches by meaning with AI embeddings, while exact matching and tree-sitter AST retrieval add literal and structural context. The project lists more than 30 structural filters, logical duplicate detection, and tree-shaking that removes irrelevant code from results. Built-in language support covers TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Java, and Vue. Sensegrep can use local Ollama by default, or connect to Gemini, OpenAI-compatible APIs, and Amazon Bedrock. Without a configured provider or API key, its documented default is Ollama at 127.0.0.1:11434 using qwen3-embedding:0.6b. Its MCP server exposes semantic search tools to AI assistants, with setup guidance for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, VS Code, and generic MCP clients. The VS Code extension adds survey and cluster, duplicate detection, structural filters, Code Lens, auto-indexing, and semantic folding. It supports API, extension, Linux, macOS, self-hosting, and Windows, is free, and uses an Apache-2.0 license.
Good
- Semantic, exact, and AST-aware retrieval
- 30+ structural filters listed
- Supports local Ollama and several providers
- MCP tools for AI coding assistants
- Free across multiple platforms
Watch out
- Cursor marketplace approval is pending
- VS Code requires version 1.85+ and Node.js 18+
- Built-in languages are limited to documented set
Who it suits
Sensegrep suits developers and AI coding agents needing semantic code search. Its CLI documentation also targets CI pipelines and terminal-based automation.
Verdict
Sensegrep combines meaning-based search with structural code analysis and AI-assistant integrations. It is a practical option when semantic retrieval, duplicate detection, and local embedding support matter.
The facts
Each one read from Sensegrep's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Credential storage
- The project says the VS Code extension stores provider API keys in VS Code SecretStorage and keeps workspace settings non-secret.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Embedding providers
- It supports local Ollama by default, plus Gemini, OpenAI-compatible APIs, and Amazon Bedrock.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project provides plugins or setup instructions for Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, VS Code, and generic MCP clients.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The README presents Sensegrep as semantic code search for AI coding agents; its CLI skill docs also describe use in CI pipelines and terminal-first automation.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Languages
- The documented built-in languages are TypeScript/JavaScript, Python, Java, and Vue.checked 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The project is licensed under Apache-2.0.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Local operation
- When no provider or API key is configured, the documented default is Ollama at 127.0.0.1:11434 with qwen3-embedding:0.6b.checked 5 Oct 2026
- MCP
- Its MCP server exposes semantic search and related tools to AI coding assistants.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Sensegrep searches source code by meaning using AI embeddings and tree-sitter AST parsing.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Requirements
- The VS Code extension requires VS Code 1.85+ and Node.js 18+.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Retrieval
- It combines semantic search, exact matching, and AST-aware structural retrieval to return more relevant code context.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Search features
- The project lists 30+ structural filters, logical duplicate detection, and tree-shaking that collapses irrelevant code.checked 5 Oct 2026
- Setup limit
- The Cursor plugin listing says marketplace approval is pending.checked 5 Oct 2026
- VS Code extension
- The VS Code extension offers semantic search, survey and cluster, duplicate detection, structural filters, Code Lens, auto-indexing, and semantic folding.checked 5 Oct 2026
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