CTags generates an index (or tag) file of language objects found in source files that allows these items to be quickly and easily located using this plugin in Kate.

A tag signifies a language object for which an index entry is available (or, alternatively, the index entry created for that object).

Tag generation is supported for these programming languages.

The CTags plugin uses two different database files for the index.

On the CTags settings page in Kate's configuration you can add or remove directories containing the source code and regenerate the common CTags database.

Common Index

Configure CTags Global Database

At the bottom of the settings page you can adapt the CTags command.

For more information about all available options please read the CTags man page. This man page is available in KHelpCenter and you can also enter the URL man:/ctags directly into Konqueror

Clicking Update will start indexing. When indexing is finished, close the dialog.

You place the mouse cursor on the language object like function, symbol etc. that you are interested in and then select one of the actions in the CTags menu to jump to the line and file where the object is defined or declared.

By default the actions in the CTags menu have no shortcuts assigned. Use the keyboard shortcut editor to configure your own shortcuts.

Alternatively use the search field on the Lookup tab of the CTags view.

Entering characters into the search field will start the search and display matching names of language objects like functions, classes, symbols etc. together with type and filename.

Select an item in the list to jump to the corresponding line in the source file.