I Mapped 150 Files in 5 Minutes with Semantiq MCP

You know that moment when you join a new project and spend hours figuring out "where is what"? I found a better way.

The problem: grep isn't enough anymore#

grep -r "theme" src/
# → 500+ raw results. Good luck.

On a Next.js project with 150+ files, I spent 2 hours mapping the architecture with grep and find. Frustrating.

The solution: 4 tools, 5 minutes#

With Semantiq MCP, the same exploration takes 5 minutes:

1. Semantic search (not grep)#

semantiq_search "theme dark light mode"
# → 1 result: components/providers/theme-provider.tsx

The difference? Semantiq understands meaning, not just characters.

2. Who uses what?#

semantiq_find_refs "useTranslations"
# → 50 references in 25 files

One command, and I know i18n is used everywhere.

3. The most critical file#

semantiq_deps "lib/utils.ts"
# → Imported by: 52 files

Discovery: lib/utils.ts with its cn() function is the project's heart. If I break it, 52 files explode.

4. Understand a symbol#

semantiq_explain "ThemeProvider"
# → Definition, usages, and 10 related symbols

The workflow that works#

Phase 1 — Discovery (2 min)

semantiq_search "page layout route"
semantiq_deps "app/[locale]/layout.tsx"

Phase 2 — Feature exploration (2 min)

semantiq_search "blog post"
semantiq_find_refs "getAllBlogPosts"

Phase 3 — Before modifying (1 min)

semantiq_find_refs "Button"      # Who uses it?
semantiq_deps "components/ui/button.tsx"  # What does it depend on?

Result#

Try it#

cargo install semantiq
semantiq index .
# Configure your AI assistant with MCP

5 minutes to understand any codebase. Worth it.