---
title: ripgrep — fast grep
date: 2026-10-18
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: An ultra-fast text search that replaces grep. By default, it respects .gitignore.
tags: program, Modern CLI Tools, ripgrep
---

**💬 "ripgrep command"**

ripgrep (rg) is **an ultra-fast text search tool that replaces grep**. It operates with multithreading, searching instantly even in large codebases.

By default, it respects .gitignore, so it automatically skips directories like node_modules.

- **Concept**: Searches text patterns in files at ultra-high speed.
- **grep replacement**: Performs the same pattern search much faster.
- **.gitignore respect**: Automatically excludes ignored targets.
- **Multithreading**: Utilizes CPU cores to increase search speed.
## Installation and Download

Install ripgrep using a package manager or cargo.

| Environment | Command |
| --- | --- |
| Ubuntu / Debian | sudo apt install ripgrep |
| Fedora / RHEL | sudo dnf install ripgrep |
| Arch | sudo pacman -S ripgrep |
| macOS (brew) | brew install ripgrep |
| Rust cargo | cargo install ripgrep |
| Binary download | github.com/BurntSushi/ripgrep/releases |

Verify the installation with `rg --version`. It uses a command structure very similar to grep.

## Commonly Used Options

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| -i | Ignores case |
| -n | Displays line numbers |
| -w | Matches only whole words |
| -t ext | Searches only files with specific extensions |
| --type-add | Adds custom file types |

## 3 Essential Command Combinations

- `rg -n "TODO" src/` — Find TODO locations in source
- `rg -i error /var/log/nginx` — Search for error keywords in logs (ignoring case)
- `rg -t py "import os"` — Search for import os in Python files
**💬 "Show me an example of finding errors in logs on a real server"**

I've organized the common situations on a production server in order.

### Step 1 · Verify Installation

Check if installed.

```
rg --version || sudo apt install -y ripgrep
```

### Step 2 · Search for keywords in code

Find specific function calls in source code.

```
rg -n "handle_request" /var/www/html/src
```

### Step 3 · Search for errors in logs

Find error patterns in log files.

```
rg -i "error|fail" /var/log/nginx/error.log
```

## Live Execution Example

This is the result of searching for function call locations in source code using ripgrep. It quickly outputs with line numbers.

![ripgrep command execution result](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/ripgrep-demo.png)

Production server

## In practice, here's how it's used

### 1. Finding specific values in configuration

**Situation** — Find the timeout value in nginx configuration.

```
rg -n "timeout" /etc/nginx/
```

**Result** — Lines related to timeout are displayed with line numbers.

**Tip** — With the -n option, you can jump directly to the line.

### 2. Checking dependencies

**Situation** — See where a specific library is used in the project.

```
rg -t py "import requests"
```

**Result** — A list of files containing import requests is displayed.

**Tip** — Filter file types with the -t option.

## Live Execution Example

This is the result of searching for error patterns in log files.

![ripgrep command execution result 2](https://games.aidebatehub.com/assets/ripgrep-demo2.png)

Production server

## Important Notes

- ripgrep by default excludes hidden files and .gitignore targets. To include them, use --hidden --no-ignore.
- It skips binary files by default.
- Instead of grep's -r option, it searches recursively by default.
- In large single files, it uses mmap, so memory usage may increase.

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/modern/ripgrep.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.