Feature Request: Built-in text/content search across files
- Dominant language
- Rust
- Stars
- 22.5k
- Forks
- 773
- PR merge metrics
- No merged PRs in 30d
Description
## Feature Request
**Summary:**
GitUI currently does not provide a built-in way to search for text or content across files in a repository. Users who want to find a specific string, pattern, or piece of code must leave the GitUI interface and use an external tool (e.g. `grep`, `rg`, or their editor's search).
**Expected Behavior:**
GitUI should include a built-in file content search (similar to `grep` / `ripgrep`) that allows users to:
- Enter a search query (plain text or regex)
- See matching files and line previews directly within the TUI
- Navigate to a specific match in context
**Why This Matters:**
Code review and diff inspection workflows often require looking up where a symbol or string is used across the repository. Having to switch out of GitUI to a separate terminal search breaks the flow and reduces the tool's usefulness as a self-contained Git UI.
**Possible Approach:**
- Add a dedicated search panel (e.g. reachable via a keybinding like `/` or a dedicated shortcut)
- Internally delegate to `git grep` or an optional `ripgrep`/`grep` backend
- Display results in a scrollable list with file path, line number, and a snippet of the matching line
- Allow jumping into the diff/file view from a result
**Alternatives Considered:**
- Using `git grep` manually in a separate terminal — works but requires context switching
- Using editor search — not available when GitUI is the primary interface
**References:**
- Similar feature in other TUI Git clients (e.g. lazygit's filter/search capabilities)
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Assessment
This issue has not been assessed yet.