For everyday searches in a source tree, try rg, the command-line program ripgrep: run rg 'TODO' . from the project directory. It searches recursively by default and respects ignore rules, which often makes it more convenient than invoking grep on a list of files. It is not a universal replacement, though: ripgrep skips hidden and binary files by default, and its speed advantage depends on what and how you search.
What ripgrep changes compared with grep
Ripgrep’s executable is named rg. Its default behavior suits interactive searches across a project: start in the directory you want to search, give it a pattern, and it walks the tree for you. GNU grep typically searches the files you name; it can also traverse directories when asked to do so.
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| Question | rg (ripgrep) |
GNU grep |
|---|---|---|
| How do I search a project tree? | Recursively from the current directory by default. | Supply files, or use a recursive option such as -r. |
| What files are searched by default? | Respects ignore rules; skips hidden and binary files, and does not follow symbolic links by default. | Recursive search is available, but its behavior is not the same as ripgrep’s ignore-aware defaults. |
| When is it a natural fit? | Interactive searches in codebases and other directory trees. | Portable scripts, explicit file lists, or workflows that depend on GNU grep’s particular options and behavior. |
GNU grep remains a capable pattern matcher, with controls for fixed strings, extended regular expressions, recursive search, and context output. Its current manual identifies GNU Grep 3.12; consult the GNU Grep manual for the options available in your environment.
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Search from the project directory
- Open a terminal and change to the directory you want to search, for example with
cd /path/to/project. - Run
rg 'TODO' .. Ripgrep searches beneath the current directory using its default filtering rules. - Read the matching lines and file paths in the output. If a result you expect is missing, check whether the file is hidden or ignored before assuming the pattern is wrong.
The pattern in this example is a regular expression. Shell filename globs, such as *.c, are a different matching system; do not treat a glob and a regex as interchangeable.
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Search ignored and hidden files when needed
For a broad diagnostic search that should include ignored, hidden, and binary files, use rg -uuu 'TODO' .. The three u flags disable ripgrep’s automatic filtering. This can greatly expand the search scope, so use it intentionally rather than as the default for routine code search.
Why ripgrep may not show a match
Ripgrep’s filtering is useful because it avoids searching files that are often irrelevant in a project, but it can also hide a match from an ordinary search. By default, it respects ignore rules, skips hidden files and binary files, and does not follow symbolic links. The ripgrep guide to automatic filtering describes these defaults.
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- The file is ignored: Check the applicable ignore rules; use
-uuuif you deliberately need an unrestricted diagnostic search. - The file is hidden: A normal search skips hidden files. Include them with
-uuuwhen that is the intended scope. - The file is binary: Ripgrep skips binary files by default. A broad search with
-uuudisables that automatic filtering too. - The path is a symbolic link: Ripgrep does not follow symbolic links by default. Account for that when the tree you expect to search is reached through a link.
Is ripgrep actually faster?
The ripgrep project characterizes it as “generally faster,” not invariably faster. It credits its design to regex-engine optimizations, SIMD and literal-search optimizations, memory-mapped or buffered strategies, and parallel directory walking. The benefit depends on the pattern, files, filtering, hardware, and the competing command’s options. The official ripgrep README links benchmark comparisons and cautions against treating one benchmark as conclusive; there is no single speed multiplier that applies to every search.
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When to keep using grep
Keep GNU grep when a script needs to run in environments where ripgrep is not installed, when you have an explicit list of files, or when your workflow relies on a GNU grep option or behavior. GNU’s manual demonstrates recursive search with grep -r 'hello' /home/gigi and case-insensitive matching across named files with grep -i 'hello.*world' menu.h main.c. Those examples also show two useful choices: control the search scope explicitly, or ask grep to traverse a directory.
Regex compatibility can matter, too. Ripgrep has its own regex feature set and supports optional PCRE2; GNU grep offers its own matching modes and behavior. If a pattern uses features beyond a tool’s supported syntax, test it with the command that will run it rather than assuming the two engines interpret it identically. See the GNU Grep usage documentation for grep’s modes and options.
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Install ripgrep and check the command
Use the package manager for your Linux distribution or another installation method listed by the ripgrep project. Package names and available releases vary, so follow the instructions for your system rather than assuming one installation command works everywhere. After installing, run rg --version to confirm that the executable is available and see the installed release.
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