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Tech riderRev. 20 Sept 2026

Livegrep

Ch 136.5of 40 Code Search Tools
  1. 1Runs onLinux, self-hosted, Web
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3Indexing scoperepositories
  4. 4Deploymenthybrid
  5. 5Regex searchYes
4 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: livegrep.com
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The Livegrep homepage

Overview

Livegrep is ranked #13 of 40 in code search tools on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, Self-hosted, Web.

Compared on code search tools

Indexing scope
repositorieslivegrep.com
Deployment
hybridlivegrep.com
Regex search
Yeslivegrep.com

Facts

Purpose
Livegrep provides interactive regular expression search across source repositories at roughly gigabyte scale.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Open source
Livegrep is open source and is written and run by Nelson Elhage.livegrep.com · 4 Oct 2026
Search syntax
The web interface supports path:, -path:, repo:, -repo:, and max_matches: query terms.livegrep.com · 4 Oct 2026
Regex engine
Livegrep uses Google's RE2 regular expression engine and supports its syntax.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Architecture
Livegrep runs a codesearch indexing and search backend alongside a web interface, which connects to the backend over TCP.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Local deployment
By default, the frontend connects to a local codesearch instance on port 9999 and serves HTTP on port 8910.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Index files
The backend can save and reuse standalone index files, including indexes too large to fit in RAM.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
GitHub integration
The project includes a helper driver that can automatically update and index selected GitHub repositories.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Repository browser
Livegrep can display source files directly in its interface when configured with local source paths.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Docker
Livegrep's CI builds Docker images on every merge to main, and the repository documents running its indexer, backend, and frontend in containers.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Resource requirements
The index is usually 3–5 times the size of indexed text; Livegrep memory-maps it and recommends fast SSDs when the index does not fit in RAM.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Build requirements
Livegrep builds with Bazel and requires a relatively recent C++ compiler; its frontend is implemented in Go.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
Support
The about page lists [email protected] as the feedback contact.livegrep.com · 4 Oct 2026
Intended users
The project describes itself as a tool for interactively searching source code, including large repositories.github.com · 4 Oct 2026

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