Advanced Search Techniques

Master complex search queries, metadata filtering, and saved queries

Intermediate 25 minutes
1
Commands
2
Metadata
3
Combine
4
Save
5
Optimize

Step 1: Understand the search command

Your primary tool for finding files

Command Purpose Example
search Primary search with filtering and query persistence filefortress search "report"
search --save-query Save search queries for reuse filefortress search --extensions pdf --save-query "pdfs"
find duplicates Find duplicate files by hash filefortress find duplicates

Note about find query

The find query command has been deprecated. All its functionality is now available in the search command with --save-query and --from-query options.

Step 2: Use Metadata Filters

Filter by file metadata for precise results

# Filter by file extension

filefortress search --extensions pdf,docx


# Filter by media type

filefortress search --media-type image


# Filter by size

filefortress search --size-min 10MB --size-max 100MB


# Filter by date

filefortress search --modified-after "30 days"


# Filter by EXIF metadata (photos)

filefortress search --meta "exif.cameraMake=Canon"

Step 3: Combine Multiple Criteria

Chain filters for complex queries

# Large PDFs modified recently

filefortress search --extensions pdf --size-min 10MB --modified-after "7 days"


# High-resolution Canon photos from 2024

filefortress search \

  --media-type image \

  --meta "exif.cameraMake=Canon" \

  --meta "exif.takenAt>=2024-01-01" \

  --meta "image.width>=4000"


# Documents in specific remote

filefortress search "report" --extensions docx,pdf --remote "Google Drive"

Combining Filters

All filters use AND logic - files must match all criteria. For OR logic, run multiple searches.

Step 4: Save Complex Queries

Save frequently used queries for quick access

# Save a complex query

filefortress search "report" --extensions pdf --modified-after "30 days" --save-query "recent-reports"


# Use saved query as base for further filtering

filefortress search --from-query "recent-reports" --size-min 5MB

Step 5: Optimize Search Performance

Tips for faster searches

Be Specific

Use file extension or media type filters first to narrow results quickly

Limit Scope

Search specific remotes with --remote when possible

Use Pagination

Add --limit 50 for large result sets

Regular Scans

Keep index up-to-date with regular scans

Pro Tips

  • Use --save-query for complex searches you'll repeat
  • Combine --extension with text search for best results
  • Use metadata filters for photos, videos, and documents
  • Test queries with --limit 10 before running full search

Learn More

Dive deeper into search capabilities:

Search Syntax Guide Metadata Filtering