Treat binary files as text input.
Section: Preprocessors and compressed files
Search binary-ish files as text
bash
bash
rg -a 'sqlite' mystery.binExplanation
`-a` can be useful for generated files, dumps, or partially text-based formats.
Learn the surrounding workflow
Compare similar commands or jump into common fixes when this command is part of a bigger troubleshooting path.
Related commands
Same sheet · prioritizing Preprocessors and compressed files
Use a preprocessor for unsupported formats
Transform file content before ripgrep searches it.
Apply preprocessing only to certain files
Limit preprocessors to matching paths.
Preview a simple replacement
Show what matched lines would look like after substitution.