feat: Add templates for epics, product brief, and requirements PRD

- Introduced a comprehensive template for generating epics and stories, including an index and individual epic files.
- Created a product brief template to outline product vision, problem statements, and target users.
- Developed a requirements PRD template to structure functional and non-functional requirements, including traceability and prioritization.
- Implemented ast-grep processors for JavaScript and TypeScript to extract relationships such as imports and inheritance.
- Added corresponding patterns for JavaScript and TypeScript to support relationship extraction.
- Established comparison tests to validate the accuracy of relationship extraction between tree-sitter and ast-grep methods.

codex-lens/src/codexlens/config.py

@@ -140,7 +140,7 @@ class Config:
     enable_cascade_search: bool = False  # Enable cascade search (coarse + fine ranking)
     cascade_coarse_k: int = 100  # Number of coarse candidates from first stage
     cascade_fine_k: int = 10  # Number of final results after reranking
-    cascade_strategy: str = "binary"  # "binary", "binary_rerank", "dense_rerank", or "staged"
+    cascade_strategy: str = "binary"  # "binary", "binary_rerank" (alias: "hybrid"), "dense_rerank", or "staged"
 
     # Staged cascade search configuration (4-stage pipeline)
     staged_coarse_k: int = 200  # Number of coarse candidates from Stage 1 binary search
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ class Config:
     chars_per_token_estimate: int = 4  # Characters per token estimation ratio
 
     # Parser configuration
-    use_astgrep: bool = False  # Use ast-grep for Python relationship extraction (tree-sitter is default)
+    use_astgrep: bool = False  # Use ast-grep for relationship extraction (Python/JS/TS); tree-sitter is default
 
     def __post_init__(self) -> None:
         try:
@@ -408,14 +408,18 @@ class Config:
                 # Load cascade settings
                 cascade = settings.get("cascade", {})
                 if "strategy" in cascade:
-                    strategy = cascade["strategy"]
+                    raw_strategy = cascade["strategy"]
+                    strategy = str(raw_strategy).strip().lower()
                     if strategy in {"binary", "binary_rerank", "dense_rerank", "staged"}:
                         self.cascade_strategy = strategy
+                    elif strategy == "hybrid":
+                        self.cascade_strategy = "binary_rerank"
+                        log.debug("Mapping cascade strategy 'hybrid' -> 'binary_rerank'")
                     else:
                         log.warning(
                             "Invalid cascade strategy in %s: %r (expected 'binary', 'binary_rerank', 'dense_rerank', or 'staged')",
                             self.settings_path,
-                            strategy,
+                            raw_strategy,
                         )
                 if "coarse_k" in cascade:
                     self.cascade_coarse_k = cascade["coarse_k"]
@@ -522,6 +526,9 @@ class Config:
             if strategy in {"binary", "binary_rerank", "dense_rerank", "staged"}:
                 self.cascade_strategy = strategy
                 log.debug("Overriding cascade_strategy from .env: %s", self.cascade_strategy)
+            elif strategy == "hybrid":
+                self.cascade_strategy = "binary_rerank"
+                log.debug("Overriding cascade_strategy from .env: %s", self.cascade_strategy)
             else:
                 log.warning("Invalid CASCADE_STRATEGY in .env: %r", cascade_strategy)
 

codex-lens/src/codexlens/env_config.py

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ ENV_VARS = {
     "CODEXLENS_DEBUG": "Enable debug mode (true/false)",
     # Cascade / staged pipeline configuration
     "ENABLE_CASCADE_SEARCH": "Enable cascade search (true/false)",
-    "CASCADE_STRATEGY": "Cascade strategy: binary, binary_rerank, dense_rerank, staged",
+    "CASCADE_STRATEGY": "Cascade strategy: binary, binary_rerank (alias: hybrid), dense_rerank, staged",
     "CASCADE_COARSE_K": "Cascade coarse_k candidate count (int)",
     "CASCADE_FINE_K": "Cascade fine_k result count (int)",
     "STAGED_STAGE2_MODE": "Staged Stage 2 mode: precomputed, realtime",

codex-lens/src/codexlens/parsers/astgrep_js_ts_processor.py

@@ -0,0 +1,289 @@
+"""Ast-grep processors for JavaScript/TypeScript relationship extraction.
+
+These processors are intentionally narrower than the tree-sitter relationship
+extractor: they focus on stable, high-signal edges for static graph usage:
+- IMPORTS: ES module imports + CommonJS require() (string literal only)
+- INHERITS: class/interface extends
+
+They are used when Config.use_astgrep is True.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import re
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import Callable, Iterable, List, Optional, Sequence, Set, Tuple
+
+from codexlens.entities import CodeRelationship, IndexedFile, RelationshipType
+from codexlens.parsers.astgrep_processor import BaseAstGrepProcessor
+
+
+_IDENT_RE = re.compile(r"^[A-Za-z_$][A-Za-z0-9_$]*$")
+
+
+def _strip_quotes(value: str) -> str:
+    value = (value or "").strip()
+    if len(value) >= 2 and value[0] == value[-1] and value[0] in {"'", '"', "`"}:
+        return value[1:-1]
+    return value
+
+
+def _module_from_literal(raw: str) -> str:
+    raw = (raw or "").strip()
+    if not raw:
+        return ""
+    unquoted = _strip_quotes(raw)
+    # Only accept string literal forms (tree-sitter extractor does the same).
+    if unquoted == raw:
+        return ""
+    return unquoted.strip()
+
+
+def _extract_named_imports(raw: str) -> List[str]:
+    raw = (raw or "").strip()
+    if not raw:
+        return []
+
+    # Normalize any surrounding braces the match might include.
+    if raw.startswith("{") and raw.endswith("}"):
+        raw = raw[1:-1].strip()
+
+    # Split by commas at top-level; named imports do not nest in JS/TS syntax.
+    parts = [p.strip() for p in raw.split(",") if p.strip()]
+    names: List[str] = []
+    for part in parts:
+        # TS: "type Foo" inside braces
+        if part.startswith("type "):
+            part = part[5:].strip()
+        # Handle `foo as bar` (TS) / `foo as bar` (proposed) / `foo as bar`-style text.
+        if " as " in part:
+            part = part.split(" as ", 1)[0].strip()
+        if _IDENT_RE.match(part):
+            names.append(part)
+    return names
+
+
+def _dedupe_relationships(rels: Sequence[CodeRelationship]) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
+    seen: Set[Tuple[str, str, str]] = set()
+    out: List[CodeRelationship] = []
+    for r in rels:
+        key = (r.source_symbol, r.target_symbol, r.relationship_type.value)
+        if key in seen:
+            continue
+        seen.add(key)
+        out.append(r)
+    return out
+
+
+class _AstGrepJsTsProcessor(BaseAstGrepProcessor):
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        language_id: str,
+        *,
+        path: Optional[Path] = None,
+        get_pattern: Callable[[str], str],
+    ) -> None:
+        super().__init__(language_id, path)
+        self._get_pattern = get_pattern
+
+    def parse(self, text: str, path: Path) -> Optional[IndexedFile]:
+        if not self.is_available():
+            return None
+
+        try:
+            relationships = self._extract_relationships(text, path)
+            return IndexedFile(
+                path=str(path.resolve()),
+                language=self.language_id,
+                symbols=[],
+                chunks=[],
+                relationships=relationships,
+            )
+        except Exception:
+            return None
+
+    def process_matches(  # type: ignore[override]
+        self,
+        matches,  # SgNode list (runtime-only type)
+        source_code: str,
+        path: Path,
+    ) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
+        # Not used by the current JS/TS processors; keep the interface for parity.
+        _ = (matches, source_code, path)
+        return []
+
+    def _extract_relationships(self, source_code: str, path: Path) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
+        source_file = str(path.resolve())
+        rels: List[CodeRelationship] = []
+
+        rels.extend(self._extract_imports(source_code, source_file=source_file))
+        rels.extend(self._extract_inherits(source_code, source_file=source_file))
+
+        return _dedupe_relationships(rels)
+
+    def _extract_imports(self, source_code: str, *, source_file: str) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
+        rels: List[CodeRelationship] = []
+
+        def record(module_name: str, line: int) -> None:
+            if not module_name:
+                return
+            rels.append(
+                CodeRelationship(
+                    source_symbol="<module>",
+                    target_symbol=module_name,
+                    relationship_type=RelationshipType.IMPORTS,
+                    source_file=source_file,
+                    target_file=None,
+                    source_line=line,
+                )
+            )
+
+        # Any `import ... from "mod"` form
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("import_from")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if mod:
+                record(mod, self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        # Side-effect import: import "mod"
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("import_side_effect")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if mod:
+                record(mod, self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        # Named imports (named-only): import { a, b as c } from "mod"
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("import_named_only")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if not mod:
+                continue
+            raw_names = self._get_match(node, "NAMES")
+            for name in _extract_named_imports(raw_names):
+                record(f"{mod}.{name}", self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        # Named imports (default + named): import X, { a, b as c } from "mod"
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("import_default_named")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if not mod:
+                continue
+            raw_names = self._get_match(node, "NAMES")
+            for name in _extract_named_imports(raw_names):
+                record(f"{mod}.{name}", self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        # CommonJS require("mod") (string literal only)
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("require_call")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if mod:
+                record(mod, self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        return rels
+
+    def _extract_inherits(self, source_code: str, *, source_file: str) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
+        rels: List[CodeRelationship] = []
+
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("class_extends")):
+            class_name = (self._get_match(node, "NAME") or "").strip()
+            base_raw = (self._get_match(node, "BASE") or "").strip()
+            if not class_name or not base_raw:
+                continue
+            base = base_raw.split("<", 1)[0].strip()
+            if not base:
+                continue
+            rels.append(
+                CodeRelationship(
+                    source_symbol=class_name,
+                    target_symbol=base,
+                    relationship_type=RelationshipType.INHERITS,
+                    source_file=source_file,
+                    target_file=None,
+                    source_line=self._get_line_number(node),
+                )
+            )
+
+        return rels
+
+
+class AstGrepJavaScriptProcessor(_AstGrepJsTsProcessor):
+    def __init__(self, path: Optional[Path] = None) -> None:
+        from codexlens.parsers.patterns.javascript import get_pattern as get_js_pattern
+
+        super().__init__("javascript", path=path, get_pattern=get_js_pattern)
+
+
+class AstGrepTypeScriptProcessor(_AstGrepJsTsProcessor):
+    def __init__(self, path: Optional[Path] = None) -> None:
+        from codexlens.parsers.patterns.typescript import get_pattern as get_ts_pattern
+
+        super().__init__("typescript", path=path, get_pattern=get_ts_pattern)
+
+    def _extract_inherits(self, source_code: str, *, source_file: str) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
+        rels = super()._extract_inherits(source_code, source_file=source_file)
+
+        # Interface extends: interface Foo extends Bar {}
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("interface_extends")):
+            name = (self._get_match(node, "NAME") or "").strip()
+            base_raw = (self._get_match(node, "BASE") or "").strip()
+            if not name or not base_raw:
+                continue
+            base = base_raw.split("<", 1)[0].strip()
+            if not base:
+                continue
+            rels.append(
+                CodeRelationship(
+                    source_symbol=name,
+                    target_symbol=base,
+                    relationship_type=RelationshipType.INHERITS,
+                    source_file=source_file,
+                    target_file=None,
+                    source_line=self._get_line_number(node),
+                )
+            )
+
+        return _dedupe_relationships(rels)
+
+    def _extract_imports(self, source_code: str, *, source_file: str) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
+        # Reuse JS logic for standard imports
+        rels = super()._extract_imports(source_code, source_file=source_file)
+
+        def record(module_name: str, line: int) -> None:
+            if not module_name:
+                return
+            rels.append(
+                CodeRelationship(
+                    source_symbol="<module>",
+                    target_symbol=module_name,
+                    relationship_type=RelationshipType.IMPORTS,
+                    source_file=source_file,
+                    target_file=None,
+                    source_line=line,
+                )
+            )
+
+        # Type-only imports: import type ... from "mod"
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("import_type_from")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if mod:
+                record(mod, self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("import_type_named_only")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if not mod:
+                continue
+            raw_names = self._get_match(node, "NAMES")
+            for name in _extract_named_imports(raw_names):
+                record(f"{mod}.{name}", self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        for node in self.run_ast_grep(source_code, self._get_pattern("import_type_default_named")):
+            mod = _module_from_literal(self._get_match(node, "MODULE"))
+            if not mod:
+                continue
+            raw_names = self._get_match(node, "NAMES")
+            for name in _extract_named_imports(raw_names):
+                record(f"{mod}.{name}", self._get_line_number(node))
+
+        return _dedupe_relationships(rels)
+
+
+__all__ = [
+    "AstGrepJavaScriptProcessor",
+    "AstGrepTypeScriptProcessor",
+]
+

codex-lens/src/codexlens/parsers/patterns/javascript/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+"""JavaScript ast-grep patterns for relationship extraction.
+
+These patterns are used by CodexLens' optional ast-grep processors to extract:
+- IMPORTS: ES module imports + CommonJS require()
+- INHERITS: class extends relationships
+
+Pattern Syntax (ast-grep-py 0.40+):
+    $VAR       - Single metavariable (matches one AST node)
+    $$$VAR     - Multiple metavariable (matches zero or more nodes)
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Dict, List
+
+
+JAVASCRIPT_PATTERNS: Dict[str, str] = {
+    # ES module imports
+    # import React from "react"
+    # import React, { useEffect } from "react"
+    # import { useEffect } from "react"
+    # import * as fs from "fs"
+    "import_from": "import $$$IMPORTS from $MODULE",
+    "import_named_only": "import {$$$NAMES} from $MODULE",
+    "import_default_named": "import $DEFAULT, {$$$NAMES} from $MODULE",
+    # Side-effect import: import "./styles.css"
+    "import_side_effect": "import $MODULE",
+
+    # CommonJS require(): const fs = require("fs")
+    "require_call": "require($MODULE)",
+
+    # Class inheritance: class Child extends Base {}
+    "class_extends": "class $NAME extends $BASE $$$BODY",
+}
+
+
+METAVARS = {
+    "module": "MODULE",
+    "import_names": "NAMES",
+    "import_default": "DEFAULT",
+    "class_name": "NAME",
+    "class_base": "BASE",
+}
+
+
+RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS: Dict[str, List[str]] = {
+    "imports": [
+        "import_from",
+        "import_named_only",
+        "import_default_named",
+        "import_side_effect",
+        "require_call",
+    ],
+    "inheritance": ["class_extends"],
+}
+
+
+def get_pattern(pattern_name: str) -> str:
+    if pattern_name not in JAVASCRIPT_PATTERNS:
+        raise KeyError(
+            f"Unknown JS pattern: {pattern_name}. Available: {list(JAVASCRIPT_PATTERNS.keys())}"
+        )
+    return JAVASCRIPT_PATTERNS[pattern_name]
+
+
+def get_patterns_for_relationship(rel_type: str) -> List[str]:
+    return RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS.get(rel_type, [])
+
+
+def get_metavar(name: str) -> str:
+    return METAVARS.get(name, name.upper())
+
+
+__all__ = [
+    "JAVASCRIPT_PATTERNS",
+    "METAVARS",
+    "RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS",
+    "get_pattern",
+    "get_patterns_for_relationship",
+    "get_metavar",
+]
+

codex-lens/src/codexlens/parsers/patterns/typescript/__init__.py

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+"""TypeScript ast-grep patterns for relationship extraction.
+
+This module extends the JavaScript patterns with TypeScript-specific syntax
+such as `import type` and `interface ... extends ...`.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from typing import Dict, List
+
+from codexlens.parsers.patterns.javascript import (
+    METAVARS,
+    RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS as _JS_RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS,
+    JAVASCRIPT_PATTERNS,
+)
+
+
+TYPESCRIPT_PATTERNS: Dict[str, str] = {
+    **JAVASCRIPT_PATTERNS,
+    # Type-only imports
+    "import_type_from": "import type $$$IMPORTS from $MODULE",
+    "import_type_named_only": "import type {$$$NAMES} from $MODULE",
+    "import_type_default_named": "import type $DEFAULT, {$$$NAMES} from $MODULE",
+    # Interface inheritance: interface Foo extends Bar {}
+    "interface_extends": "interface $NAME extends $BASE $$$BODY",
+}
+
+
+RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS: Dict[str, List[str]] = {
+    **_JS_RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS,
+    "imports": [
+        *_JS_RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS.get("imports", []),
+        "import_type_from",
+        "import_type_named_only",
+        "import_type_default_named",
+    ],
+    "inheritance": [
+        *_JS_RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS.get("inheritance", []),
+        "interface_extends",
+    ],
+}
+
+
+def get_pattern(pattern_name: str) -> str:
+    if pattern_name not in TYPESCRIPT_PATTERNS:
+        raise KeyError(
+            f"Unknown TS pattern: {pattern_name}. Available: {list(TYPESCRIPT_PATTERNS.keys())}"
+        )
+    return TYPESCRIPT_PATTERNS[pattern_name]
+
+
+def get_patterns_for_relationship(rel_type: str) -> List[str]:
+    return RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS.get(rel_type, [])
+
+
+def get_metavar(name: str) -> str:
+    return METAVARS.get(name, name.upper())
+
+
+__all__ = [
+    "TYPESCRIPT_PATTERNS",
+    "METAVARS",
+    "RELATIONSHIP_PATTERNS",
+    "get_pattern",
+    "get_patterns_for_relationship",
+    "get_metavar",
+]
+

codex-lens/src/codexlens/parsers/treesitter_parser.py

@@ -34,8 +34,9 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 class TreeSitterSymbolParser:
     """Parser using tree-sitter for AST-level symbol extraction.
 
-    Supports optional ast-grep integration for Python relationship extraction
-    when config.use_astgrep is True and ast-grep-py is available.
+    Supports optional ast-grep integration for relationship extraction
+    (Python/JavaScript/TypeScript) when config.use_astgrep is True and
+    ast-grep-py is available.
     """
 
     def __init__(
@@ -105,24 +106,33 @@ class TreeSitterSymbolParser:
         """Check if ast-grep should be used for relationship extraction.
 
         Returns:
-            True if config.use_astgrep is True and language is Python
+            True if config.use_astgrep is True and language is supported
         """
         if self._config is None:
             return False
         if not getattr(self._config, "use_astgrep", False):
             return False
-        return self.language_id == "python"
+        return self.language_id in {"python", "javascript", "typescript"}
 
     def _initialize_astgrep_processor(self) -> None:
-        """Initialize ast-grep processor for Python relationship extraction."""
+        """Initialize ast-grep processor for relationship extraction."""
         try:
             from codexlens.parsers.astgrep_processor import (
                 AstGrepPythonProcessor,
                 is_astgrep_processor_available,
             )
+            from codexlens.parsers.astgrep_js_ts_processor import (
+                AstGrepJavaScriptProcessor,
+                AstGrepTypeScriptProcessor,
+            )
 
             if is_astgrep_processor_available():
-                self._astgrep_processor = AstGrepPythonProcessor(self.path)
+                if self.language_id == "python":
+                    self._astgrep_processor = AstGrepPythonProcessor(self.path)
+                elif self.language_id == "javascript":
+                    self._astgrep_processor = AstGrepJavaScriptProcessor(self.path)
+                elif self.language_id == "typescript":
+                    self._astgrep_processor = AstGrepTypeScriptProcessor(self.path)
         except ImportError:
             self._astgrep_processor = None
 
@@ -222,9 +232,9 @@ class TreeSitterSymbolParser:
         path: Path,
         source_code: Optional[str] = None,
     ) -> List[CodeRelationship]:
-        """Extract relationships, optionally using ast-grep for Python.
+        """Extract relationships, optionally using ast-grep.
 
-        When config.use_astgrep is True and ast-grep is available for Python,
+        When config.use_astgrep is True and an ast-grep processor is available,
         uses ast-grep for relationship extraction. Otherwise, uses tree-sitter.
 
         Args:
@@ -236,32 +246,31 @@ class TreeSitterSymbolParser:
         Returns:
             List of extracted relationships
         """
+        # Try ast-grep first if configured and available for this language.
+        if self._astgrep_processor is not None and source_code is not None:
+            try:
+                astgrep_rels = self._extract_relationships_astgrep(source_code, path)
+                if astgrep_rels is not None:
+                    return astgrep_rels
+            except Exception:
+                # Fall back to tree-sitter on ast-grep failure
+                pass
+
         if self.language_id == "python":
-            # Try ast-grep first if configured and available
-            if self._astgrep_processor is not None and source_code is not None:
-                try:
-                    astgrep_rels = self._extract_python_relationships_astgrep(
-                        source_code, path
-                    )
-                    if astgrep_rels is not None:
-                        return astgrep_rels
-                except Exception:
-                    # Fall back to tree-sitter on ast-grep failure
-                    pass
             return self._extract_python_relationships(source_bytes, root, path)
         if self.language_id in {"javascript", "typescript"}:
             return self._extract_js_ts_relationships(source_bytes, root, path)
         return []
 
-    def _extract_python_relationships_astgrep(
+    def _extract_relationships_astgrep(
         self,
         source_code: str,
         path: Path,
     ) -> Optional[List[CodeRelationship]]:
-        """Extract Python relationships using ast-grep processor.
+        """Extract relationships using ast-grep processor.
 
         Args:
-            source_code: Python source code text
+            source_code: Source code text
             path: File path
 
         Returns:

codex-lens/src/codexlens/search/chain_search.py

@@ -694,13 +694,14 @@ class ChainSearchEngine:
         k: int = 10,
         coarse_k: int = 100,
         options: Optional[SearchOptions] = None,
-        strategy: Optional[Literal["binary", "binary_rerank", "dense_rerank", "staged"]] = None,
+        strategy: Optional[Literal["binary", "binary_rerank", "dense_rerank", "staged", "hybrid"]] = None,
     ) -> ChainSearchResult:
         """Unified cascade search entry point with strategy selection.
 
         Provides a single interface for cascade search with configurable strategy:
         - "binary": Uses binary vector coarse ranking + dense fine ranking (fastest)
         - "binary_rerank": Uses binary vector coarse ranking + cross-encoder reranking (best balance)
+        - "hybrid": Alias for "binary_rerank" (backward compat)
         - "dense_rerank": Uses dense vector coarse ranking + cross-encoder reranking
         - "staged": 4-stage pipeline: binary -> LSP expand -> clustering -> optional rerank
 
@@ -731,7 +732,7 @@ class ChainSearchEngine:
         """
         # Strategy priority: parameter > config > default
         effective_strategy = strategy
-        valid_strategies = ("binary", "binary_rerank", "dense_rerank", "staged")
+        valid_strategies = ("binary", "binary_rerank", "dense_rerank", "staged", "hybrid")
         if effective_strategy is None:
             # Not passed via parameter, check config
             if self._config is not None:
@@ -743,6 +744,10 @@ class ChainSearchEngine:
         if effective_strategy not in valid_strategies:
             effective_strategy = "binary"
 
+        # Normalize backward-compat alias
+        if effective_strategy == "hybrid":
+            effective_strategy = "binary_rerank"
+
         if effective_strategy == "binary":
             return self.binary_cascade_search(query, source_path, k, coarse_k, options)
         elif effective_strategy == "binary_rerank":