`file search` pattern kinds and default
Introduced 2026-05-07 · score 0.92
HOW TO USE IT
When searching repository files, run `jj file search` with `--pattern`; an unprefixed pattern now uses regex matching. Prefix the pattern with `glob:` when you want glob matching.
jj file search --pattern 'regex:<regular-expression>'jj file search --pattern 'glob:<glob-pattern>' <fileset>WHY THIS HELPS
Search repository files using a glob or regular-expression pattern.
BEFORE THIS CHANGE
The `--pattern` default was `glob:`; prefix the pattern with `regex:` to use regular-expression matching.
REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
- Version: v0.41.0
- --pattern <PATTERN> (required): Pattern to search for in a single line. Supports `exact:`, `glob:`, `regex:`, and `substring:`; omitted kind defaults to regex. `glob:` must match the whole line. Pattern kinds are alternatives, not mutually exclusive options.
- <REVSET> (`-r`, `--revision`): Revision to search; defaults to `@`.
- <FILESETS>: Optional file path prefixes to search instead of all files.
- exact:: Match strings exactly equal to the pattern.
- glob:: Match using Unix-style shell wildcards.
- regex:: Match substrings using a regular expression.
- substring:: Match strings containing the pattern.
- The `--pattern` flag accepts various pattern kinds through `kind:pattern` syntax.
FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE
- https://github.com/jj-vcs/jj/releases/tag/v0.41.0
- https://github.com/jj-vcs/jj/blob/v0.41.0/cli/src/commands/file/search.rs
- https://docs.jj-vcs.dev/latest/revsets/#string-patterns
Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON