diff --git a/hive-forge/src/main.rs b/hive-forge/src/main.rs
index d03afb8d..795176bd 100644
--- a/hive-forge/src/main.rs
+++ b/hive-forge/src/main.rs
@@ -113,6 +113,10 @@ enum Verb {
     /// the valid names + descriptions for triage / labelling. `--json`
     /// emits the full label objects (id, name, color, description).
     RepoLabels(verbs::repo_labels::Args),
+    /// Search for repositories on the forge instance by keyword, topic, or
+    /// description. Not repo-scoped — queries the instance-wide explore
+    /// endpoint. `--json` emits the full repository objects.
+    RepoSearch(verbs::repo_search::Args),
     /// Triage lint queries (unassigned / no-reviewer / stale-branches / assignments).
     Lint(verbs::lint::Args),
     /// List issues / PRs with filters (`--kind`, `--state`, `--assignee`,
@@ -198,6 +202,7 @@ fn main() -> Result<()> {
         Verb::RepoCreate(a) => verbs::repo_create::run(&client, a),
         Verb::RepoAddCollaborator(a) => verbs::repo_add_collaborator::run(&client, a),
         Verb::RepoLabels(a) => verbs::repo_labels::run(&client, a),
+        Verb::RepoSearch(a) => verbs::repo_search::run(&client, a),
         Verb::Lint(a) => verbs::lint::run(&client, a),
         Verb::List(a) => verbs::list::run(&client, a),
         Verb::Milestone(a) => verbs::milestone::run(&client, a),
diff --git a/hive-forge/src/verbs/mod.rs b/hive-forge/src/verbs/mod.rs
index 2a438aa4..784df9e1 100644
--- a/hive-forge/src/verbs/mod.rs
+++ b/hive-forge/src/verbs/mod.rs
@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ pub mod reopen;
 pub mod repo_add_collaborator;
 pub mod repo_create;
 pub mod repo_labels;
+pub mod repo_search;
 pub mod subscription;
 pub mod timeline;
 pub mod tree_sha;
diff --git a/hive-forge/src/verbs/repo_search.rs b/hive-forge/src/verbs/repo_search.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e5754d96
--- /dev/null
+++ b/hive-forge/src/verbs/repo_search.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+//! `repo-search [--query <kw>] [--topic] [--include-desc] [--limit N]` —
+//! search for repositories on the forge instance.
+//!
+//! Wraps `GET /repos/search` (Forgejo explore endpoint). Useful for agents
+//! that need to find a repo by keyword rather than knowing the exact
+//! `owner/repo` slug upfront. Not repo-scoped — the `-r` flag is ignored.
+//!
+//! Human output: one `owner/repo  description` line per hit. `--json`
+//! emits the full `SearchResults.data` array as raw JSON.
+
+use anyhow::Result;
+use clap::Args as ClapArgs;
+use forgejo_api::structs::RepoSearchQuery;
+
+use crate::client::Client;
+use crate::verbs::print_json;
+
+#[derive(ClapArgs)]
+pub struct Args {
+    /// Keyword to search for (matches repo name by default; combine with
+    /// `--include-desc` to also match description text).
+    #[arg(short = 'q', long)]
+    query: Option<String>,
+    /// Restrict matches to repositories that have the keyword as a **topic**
+    /// tag rather than in the name.
+    #[arg(long)]
+    topic: bool,
+    /// Extend the keyword search to repository descriptions (in addition to
+    /// names, or topics when `--topic` is set).
+    #[arg(long = "include-desc")]
+    include_desc: bool,
+    /// Maximum number of results to return (default: 30).
+    #[arg(long, default_value_t = 30, value_parser = clap::value_parser!(u64).range(1..))]
+    limit: u64,
+}
+
+/// # Errors
+///
+/// Propagates transport errors from the Forgejo search call or JSON
+/// serialisation errors when emitting `--json` output.
+pub fn run(client: &Client, args: Args) -> Result<()> {
+    let limit = u32::try_from(args.limit.min(u32::MAX as u64)).unwrap_or(u32::MAX);
+    let results = client
+        .api()
+        .repo_search(RepoSearchQuery {
+            q: args.query,
+            topic: args.topic.then_some(true),
+            include_desc: args.include_desc.then_some(true),
+            // All other filters left at defaults — callers who need them
+            // can drop to `--json` and post-filter.
+            uid: None,
+            priority_owner_id: None,
+            team_id: None,
+            starred_by: None,
+            private: None,
+            is_private: None,
+            template: None,
+            archived: None,
+            mode: None,
+            exclusive: None,
+            sort: None,
+            order: None,
+        })
+        .page_size(limit)
+        .send()?;
+
+    let repos = results.data.unwrap_or_default();
+    if client.json_mode() {
+        return print_json(&serde_json::to_value(&repos)?);
+    }
+    if repos.is_empty() {
+        eprintln!("(no results)");
+        return Ok(());
+    }
+    for repo in &repos {
+        let full_name = repo.full_name.as_deref().unwrap_or("?/?");
+        let desc = repo.description.as_deref().unwrap_or("");
+        if desc.is_empty() {
+            println!("{full_name}");
+        } else {
+            println!("{full_name}  {desc}");
+        }
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}