Codebase Indexing

When you open a project in Alex Sidebar, it automatically analyzes and indexes your code files to better understand your codebase.

Think of this like creating a smart map of your code - Alex reads through each file and then can utilize this information to provide more accurate and relevant suggestions when going through your queries.

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What is Indexing?

Indexing is the process where Alex:

• Scans through all your code files
• Creates special embeddings for each file
• Stores these embeddings to quickly reference later

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Why is it Important?

This indexing helps Alex:

• Give you more accurate code suggestions
• Better understand the context when you ask questions
• Find relevant code examples from your own project
• Make smarter recommendations based on your actual codebase

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Code Maps

Building on top of basic indexing, Alex now automatically parses your Swift project and constructs a “Code Map” for the files you are chatting about. This means Alex has an understanding of how files interact with each other, resulting in better code generation.

When you start a chat, Alex:

• Analyzes file dependencies and imports
• Maps class and type relationships
• Understands protocol conformances
• Tracks function calls between files

This deeper understanding helps Alex:

• Generate more accurate code suggestions
• Provide better refactoring recommendations
• Maintain consistency across related files
• Respect your project’s architecture

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Managing Indexes

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Automatic Synchronization

Your codebase index automatically updates when:

• Files are modified
• New files are added
• Files are deleted
• Git branches are switched

This ensures Alex Sidebar always has the most up-to-date information about your codebase!