Git-Aware Repository Search

Use this hierarchy from the repository root:

1. Run git ls-files for the authoritative tracked-file inventory.
2. Run git status --short when modified or untracked work matters.
3. Use fd for ignore-aware working-tree filename discovery.
4. Use rg for ignore-aware content search.
5. Read the selected source directly before deciding or editing.

Match the Tool to the Question

git ls-files and fd answer different questions. fd may find useful untracked files, while its defaults omit hidden and ignored paths. It does not prove that Git owns a file.

Use fd, rather than find, as the default agent filename-discovery tool inside a repository. Use broader or unrestricted search flags only when ignored or hidden paths are deliberately in scope.

Source Is the Authority

Search output narrows the candidates; it does not establish current behavior. Open the selected file, read enough surrounding code to understand it, and check related changes before making a decision or edit.

A generated INDEX.md may be an optional hint when the agent knows the intent but not the filename or symbol. It never replaces tracked-file inventory, direct source reading, or validation against the current source.

Citations

• Git ls-files documentation
• Git status documentation
• fd project documentation
• ripgrep project documentation