What is Codebase Indexing?
Cursor builds a searchable map of your entire codebase. The AI can find relevant code by meaning, not just by file name or exact keyword match.
found by meaning · 4 files
Codebase indexing helps the AI find code by...
Write it in your own words in the app.
In real work
Use codebase indexing: search the codebase for where authentication errors are handled. Use the index to find all relevant files.
In the illustration
The bar sweeps the whole codebase and pins each file into a district by what it does; a query for 'auth errors' lights one district of 4 files, including ones whose names never say auth.
Use codebase indexing in your coding agent to find every place we parse dates by hand, and list them with file and line before changing anything.
Try it now
The fastest way to learn a word is to use it. Open this line in the agent you already work in and watch what it does. Change the tool to the one you use.
Go further
01Practice
Make it stick
One term a day, a short quiz, and sentence practice that checks your own words.
02Verify
Prove you know it
Pass the quiz and keep it in a Skills Wallet you can share with anyone who needs proof.
03Career
Find the work that uses it
See which roles lean on this vocabulary, and what they pay in year one.
More in Using AI
All terms →
Learn the next term tomorrow.
Google gives a definition. Prompthaus pairs each term with how it shows up in standups, PRs, prompts, and design reviews. Then it quizzes you until the word sticks. One term a day on iPhone.
