Klero Logo

INSIGHTS

Feedback Boards

All feedback from every channel in one organized board.

Merge duplicates and see true demand behind every idea.

Auto-notify users when their request ships.

Feedback Boards
KleroKlero/Resources/Development & Deployment

Sourcegraph - Code Search & Intelligence | Klero Resources

A practical guide to Sourcegraph: search, navigate, and understand code across repos. Learn what actually saves time and when it fits.

Sourcegraph

Sourcegraph is a code intelligence platform. You search and navigate across many repositories, see definitions and references, and (on paid tiers) run batch changes and insights. This guide focuses on what matters for product and engineering: when to use it, core concepts, and how it fits alongside your IDE and Git host.

Sourcegraph Code Search Overview

Why sourcegraph fits product work

  • Search across repos - Find symbols, strings, and patterns across all your codebases (and optionally public code). No “which repo was that in?” hopping.
  • Navigate like an IDE - Go to definition, find references, and see hover docs. Works in the browser and in integrations (e.g. IDE extensions, code host native).
  • One place for “where is this used?” - Refactors and migrations are easier when you can search and filter by repo, language, or path.
  • Batch changes (paid) - Apply search-and-replace or scripted edits across many repos from one workflow. Useful for dependency bumps, renames, and org-wide patterns.
  • Insights and analytics (paid) - Track usage of APIs, libraries, or patterns over time. Helps with tech debt and standardization.

    • Core concepts that matter

    Code search

    Search is the core: you run queries over one or many repositories. Support includes keyword, literal, regex, and structural search (e.g. “function named X that calls Y”). Use filters to restrict by repo, file path, language, or branch. Results show matching snippets; click through to the file and then use “Find references” or “Go to definition” for navigation.

    Intro to Code Search

    Repositories and code hosts

    Sourcegraph indexes repositories from your code host (GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or custom Git). You choose which repos to add and how often to sync. Indexing makes search fast; without it, search may fall back to slower or less complete modes. For large orgs, admins typically configure repo discovery and permissions via the code host connection.

    Navigation: definitions and references

    Go to definition jumps to where a symbol is defined; Find references lists every use. This is “IDE-style” navigation at the scale of the whole org. Use it when you’re changing a shared lib or API and need to see impact before editing.

    Batch changes (paid)

    Batch changes let you define a change (e.g. “replace import X with Y” or run a script) and apply it across many repos and branches. You review a preview, then create a batch change and attached PRs (or MRs) in your code host. Useful for dependency upgrades, renaming, and enforcing patterns.

    Insights (paid)

    Insights run saved searches (or other queries) over time and show trends-e.g. “where is deprecated API X still used?” or “adoption of library Y.” Helps product and eng leadership see tech debt and migration progress.

    Practical habits

  • Use saved searches - For refactors or migrations, save the query (e.g. “usages of old SDK”) and re-run as you fix things.
  • Narrow with filters - Filter by repo, path, or language so results stay relevant. Use repo: and file: and lang: to scope.
  • Check references before big edits - Before renaming or changing a shared API, run “Find references” and scan the list. Batch change can do the edits; search tells you the scope.
  • Integrate with code host and IDE - Use the code host native integration or the IDE extension so search and “Open in Sourcegraph” are one click from where you already work.
  • Start with search and navigation - Get value from cross-repo search and def/ref before rolling out batch changes or insights.

    • When sourcegraph isn’t the fit

  • Single small repo - Your IDE’s built-in search and “Find All References” may be enough. Sourcegraph shines at multi-repo and org scale.
  • No code host integration - If you can’t connect GitHub/GitLab/Bitbucket (or self-host Git), setup and indexing are harder; evaluate alternatives.
  • Tight budget and small team - Free tier has limits. The biggest gains (batch changes, insights, full org indexing) are on paid plans. Use it when “find and refactor across everything” is worth the cost.

    • Pricing (high level)

    Free - Limited search and navigation; often for personal or small teams. See Sourcegraph’s site for current free tier.

    Team / Enterprise - More repos, batch changes, insights, SSO, and support. See Sourcegraph’s pricing for current plans.

    For orgs with many repos and a need to “search everywhere and refactor at scale,” Sourcegraph is a strong default. Start with search and navigation; add batch changes and insights when you have recurring refactors or want visibility into usage and tech debt.

    Feedback that drives growth

    Start collecting feedback today

    Launch a beautiful, AI-powered feedback portal in minutes. Capture requests, prioritize with confidence, and keep customers in the loop automatically.