Explorer plugin - ability to search for just files, folders, apps, etc.

[broadsword-MO]

To be able to search for whatever general type of thing you want would be nice. And be able to change the action keyword(s) inside the Explorer plugin to suit ones preferences. Like say, f: for files, fol: for folders or maybe app: for apps, etc. Maybe the ability to help define those parameters. For instance, adding or removing different file name extensions to be looked for when searching for just files or just apps. Just some thoughts I've had. Thanks for your consideration.

[jjw24]

potentially something to play with here using System.ItemType when constructing the query for index search. https://github.com/Flow-Launcher/Flow.Launcher/blob/8f8636a9e967a248ddc24905bcdf1de82db364a5/Plugins/Flow.Launcher.Plugin.Explorer/Search/WindowsIndex/QueryConstructor.cs#L24

File and folder keywords is doable, app and etc other types needs investigation on what the index query offers.

[taooceros]

I think app is doable by addig suffix *.exe or *.lnk. However, why not use the Program plugin.

[broadsword-MO]

Do you all mind if I throw in my 2 cents on this? I think a nice ideal scenario would be that Flow searches for everything (except things that we have intentionally excluded) unless it's told to look for something in particular (like the Everything program service does). Now please correct me if I'm mistaken, but currently if I set an action keyword for a plugin then that plugin doesn't do anything unless the action keyword is used.

However the Everything plugin service is a lone exception. Because it looks for everything it can unless you tell it otherwise. And because of that, my usual search approach for files and folders would be to pop up Flow and throw in some text of what I'm looking for. Then if what I'm looking for isn't toward the top of the list, I'll quickly narrow it down by inserting file: or folder: into the search.

So, as Flow currently works, if the Program plugin was given an action keyword then I wouldn't get any programs unless I used the keyword.

[taooceros]

Interesting. I think we can have an option to include the plugin search in global and at the same time provide a special actionkeyword for plugin-specific search (I think powertoy has done this).

[jjw24]

Do you all mind if I throw in my 2 cents on this? I think a nice ideal scenario would be that Flow searches for everything (except things that we have intentionally excluded) unless it's told to look for something in particular (like the Everything program service does). Now please correct me if I'm mistaken, but currently if I set an action keyword for a plugin then that plugin doesn't do anything unless the action keyword is used.

However the Everything plugin service is a lone exception. Because it looks for everything it can unless you tell it otherwise. And because of that, my usual search approach for files and folders would be to pop up Flow and throw in some text of what I'm looking for. Then if what I'm looking for isn't toward the top of the list, I'll quickly narrow it down by inserting file: or folder: into the search.

So, as Flow currently works, if the Program plugin was given an action keyword then I wouldn't get any programs unless I used the keyword.

So something like how searching for file contents would work? an action keyword for file/folder

[raindropsfromsky]

I think app is doable by addig suffix *.exe or *.lnk. However, why not use the Program plugin.

Actually what I meant is searching for a type of file, which consists of multiple extensions. For example, "executable" means not only *.exe but also *.msi. "video" means mp4, wmv, webm, avi, mov, mkv, ogv, etc. "audio" means mp3, ogg, m4a, wav, etc.

Apart from this, my request is generic, where searching for only folders is tricky because we cannot specify an extension.

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue is stale because it has been open 30 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 5 days.

[taooceros]

I think app is doable by addig suffix *.exe or *.lnk. However, why not use the Program plugin.

Actually what I meant is searching for a type of file, which consists of multiple extensions. For example, "executable" means not only *.exe but also *.msi. "video" means mp4, wmv, webm, avi, mov, mkv, ogv, etc. "audio" means mp3, ogg, m4a, wav, etc.

Apart from this, my request is generic, where searching for only folders is tricky because we cannot specify an extension.

we can add a setting for adding custom mask just like everything.

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue is stale because it has been open 45 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 5 days.

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue is stale because it has been open 60 days with no activity. Remove stale label or comment or this will be closed in 60 days.\n\nAlternatively this issue can be kept open by adding one of the following labels:\nkeep-fresh

[github-actions[bot]]

This issue was closed because it has been stale for 7 days with no activity. If you feel this issue still needs attention please feel free to reopen.