Claude Code/Cursor is using grep? Are we devolving

Every AI coding tool has a search problem.

Claude uses grep. Cursor does basic vector search. Context retrieval? Honestly, pretty mediocre.

As a co-founder of a vector database company, I’ve realized: the only way to understand real developer pain is to use these tools every day — not just sit in strategy meetings.

Tried Claude Code. Loved the idea: delegating tasks from the terminal feels magical. But hit a wall fast — grep-based search doesn’t understand semantics. It finds strings, not meaning.

Cursor? A good start with vector search, but still shallow. No deep understanding of code structure or intent.

That pain point became our opportunity.

The more I used Claude, Cursor, Windsurf… the clearer it became: AI tools lack true semantic code understanding.

So we built Code Indexer CLI:

One-click indexing of your codebase

Fast, semantic retrieval

Native support for all major AI coding tools

We’re not just fixing search — we’re building a better foundation for AI coding. Because context matters more than code.

Lesson: Don’t just build for AI. Build with it. Use what your users use. Feel their pain.

Your best product ideas live inside your daily frustrations.

→ https://github.com/zilliztech/CodeIndexer