What it does
XERJ indexes a folder of code, documents, logs or PDFs on your own machine so they can be searched quickly. Coding agents can then ask for exactly the passages they need instead of reading files one by one, which its makers say saves a lot of AI usage.
Its main use is "reference coding": the agent downloads open-source projects similar to yours, indexes them, and looks at how they solved a problem before writing code.
It is a single program for Mac, Windows and Linux and speaks the same language as the Elasticsearch search engine. The README warns its quick-start mode has no password and is meant for one person on their own computer.
Who it's for
Developers who use coding agents like Claude Code or Cursor and want faster, cheaper code search.
Can I use it without coding?
With some setup. You install it with a one-line installer and run a few commands to connect it. New to this? Start here.
Can I run it?
- Cost
- FreeNothing to pay or sign up for.
- Runs on
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Computer
- An ordinary computer is fine
- Privacy
- Runs on your own device: your data stays with you
- API key
- Not needed
Try it
- Install XERJ with its one-line installer for Mac, Linux or Windows.
- Run its setup step to connect it to Claude Code or Cursor, then index your project folder.
Using Claude Code, Cursor or another AI coding assistant? Paste the prompt and it will walk you through the setup.New to this?
Before you install
- Only download from the official GitHub page. Copies with similar names exist for many popular projects.
- License (Apache-2.0): Permissive: free to use, change and share, including for business.
- More on staying safe