Introduction

Welcome to File Search Machine — a powerful tool for instantly finding files and folders on your Mac. This guide will help you master all the application's features, from simple searches to creating complex logical queries.

File Search Machine quickly finds:

• File contents, documents
• Photos, videos, audio tracks
• Applications, emails
• Other files, folders, packages, and hidden items.

Main Interface

The main application window consists of several key areas:

• Search Bar: Located at the top. Here you enter your search query, select the search mode, and manage your history.
• Folders Panel: You add the folders to be searched here. You can add folders by clicking the "+" button or by simply dragging and dropping them from Finder.
• Results Table: The main area where found files and folders are displayed. You can customize columns, sort, and filter the results.
• Status Bar: Shows information about the current search process (number of scanned and found items) and the total number of results.

Searching for Files

Simple Search

1. Enter your query: Type a word, phrase, or filename into the search field.
2. Select folders: Make sure you have added directories for the search. If the panel is empty, the search will not start.
3. Click "Find": Click the magnifying glass icon or press the Enter key to start the search.

Advanced Search Options

Below the search field is a panel with advanced settings that allows you to significantly refine your query.

• Search: Determines where the search will be performed. (`File and folder names`, `Files only`, `Folders only`, `File contents`, `Name and contents`)
• Kind: Allows you to filter results by file type. (`Any`, `Application`, `Archive`, `Document`, `Image`, etc.)
• Options: `Case insensitive`, `Hidden files`, `Inside packages`.
• File size filter: You can search for files whose size is greater than, less than, or equal to a specified value.

Search Modes

To the left of the input field is a mode selection menu that determines how the application will interpret your query.

• All words: Finds files whose names or contents contain all of the entered words in any order.
• Any word: Finds files containing at least one of the entered words.
• Phrase: Searches for an exact match of the entered phrase.
• Wildcard (Masks): The most powerful mode for creating complex queries using special operators.

Detailed Look at Wildcard (Masks) Mode

This mode turns the simple search field into a powerful tool for building logical queries. You can combine conditions to describe exactly what you're looking for.

Main Operators:

• `*` (asterisk) — a wildcard that replaces any number of any characters.
• `AND` (logical "AND") — requires both conditions to be met.
• `OR` (logical "OR") — requires at least one of the conditions to be met.
• `!` (logical "NOT") — excludes results containing the specified word or phrase.
• `()` (parentheses) — used to group expressions and set the order of operations.

Examples of using Wildcard mode:

1. Find all reports in .docx format:

*report*.docx

2. Find a senior specialist's resume:

(resume OR cv) AND senior

3. Find all project files, excluding backups:

projectAlpha AND !*backup*

Working with Results

• Sorting: Click on any column header (Name, Size, Date Modified) to sort the results by that field.
• Filter: At the top of the results table, there is a "Filter" field. Enter text to instantly filter the already found results.
• Context Actions: Right-click on one or more selected files to bring up the context menu (`Open`, `Open With`, `Reveal in Finder`, `Get Info`, `Move to Trash`).

Application Settings

Additional options are available in the "Settings" window (can be opened via the `File Search Machine > Settings...` menu or by pressing `⌘,`). The settings window is divided into several tabs for convenience.

"General" Tab

• Launch at system startup: If enabled, the application will start automatically when you log in.
• Interface language: Allows you to select the language for the application interface.

"Search" Tab

This tab contains all the key settings that affect the speed and quality of the search.

"Search Engine" Section: Choose between `Spotlight` (fastest) or `FileManager` (more thorough).

"Results Update" Section: Configure manual or automatic result list updates.

"Performance" Section: Options to `Search in system folders`, `Disable package size calculation`, and set a `Maximum number of results`.

"History" Section: Set the maximum number of saved history records.

"Appearance" Tab

Settings related to the visual presentation of data.

"File Preview" Section: Set font size and match color for the built-in viewer.

"Search Results" Section: `Automatically adjust results list height` option.