LibreAI / Dev Tools / probe
// devtools · probelabs/probe

probe

Semantic code search for AI — ripgrep speed with tree-sitter AST parsing.

💎 Hidden gem★ 722 stars⑂ 62 forksApache-2.0updated 2026-10
▦ visual — this project's README ships no embeddable screenshot,
so here's a placeholder. The guide below is complete regardless.
// project facts

Project facts

probe is an open-source dev tools project by probelabs (probelabs/probe on GitHub). It has 722 GitHub stars and 62 forks, is released under the Apache-2.0 license, and was last updated on GitHub on 1 October 2026.

Repository
probelabs/probe
GitHub stars
722
Forks
62
License
Apache-2.0
Last updated on GitHub
1 October 2026
Category
Dev Tools
Listing
Hidden gem — a shorter page for a lesser-known project
Official site
Official site
// how it works

How it works

  1. Install probe

    Get the Rust-built binary for your platform.

  2. Index your codebase

    Let it parse your repo with tree-sitter.

  3. Query semantically

    Ask structure-aware questions about the code.

  4. Plug into your assistant

    AI coding assistants use it as their search backend.

// features

Why people love it

Semantic search

Understands code structure, not just text.

ripgrep speed

Fast enough for huge codebases.

tree-sitter parsing

AST-aware indexing across languages.

AI-friendly output

Results shaped for assistant consumption.

Large-repo ready

Built for codebases grep cannot handle.

Rust performance

A fast native binary, not a script.

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// run it

Run it yourself

  1. Step 1 — Clone the repo

    Download the source and move into the project folder.

    git clone https://github.com/probelabs/probe.git
    cd probe
  2. Step 2 — Check the README

    Every project documents its own setup; start with install requirements.

    cat README.md | head -60
  3. Step 3 — Run it

    Follow the project's launch command — Docker, pip, npm, or a binary release.

    # see README for the exact launch command
// use cases

What you can build

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// faq

Questions, answered

Is probe free for commercial use?

Apache 2.0 licensed — commercial use allowed with attribution.

Which languages does it parse?

tree-sitter covers many languages — check the README for the list.

How is it different from ripgrep?

ripgrep matches text; probe understands code structure semantically.

Can my AI assistant use it?

It is designed as a search backend for AI coding assistants.

Does it need an index build?

Yes — it parses your repo first; large repos take some initial time.

// keep exploring

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// alternatives

Alternatives in Dev Tools

The most-starred other Dev Tools projects in the LibreAI catalogue — the realistic shortlist if probe is not the right fit.

Get probe

Free and open — grab the source, star the repo, and start creating.