Search
The search
command helps you find recipes quickly by searching through titles, ingredients, instructions, and metadata. It's perfect for answering "what can I cook with what I have?" or finding that recipe you remember but can't locate.
Basic Usage
This searches all recipes for the word "chicken" and returns matching recipes sorted by relevance.
Search Basics
Single Term Search
Output:
Multiple Terms
All terms must match (AND logic):
Phrase Search
Use quotes for exact phrases:
What Gets Searched
The search looks through:
- Recipe titles – From filename or title metadata
- Ingredients – All ingredient names and quantities
- Instructions – The complete cooking steps
- Metadata – Tags, categories, cuisine, etc.
- Notes – Any notes or comments in the recipe
Search Options
Specify Directory
Search in a specific directory:
Case Sensitivity
Searches are case-insensitive by default:
Practical Examples
Finding Recipes by Ingredient
What can I make with what I have?
Dietary Restrictions
By Cooking Method
By Cuisine
Advanced Usage
Search and Cook Workflow
Find a recipe and immediately view it:
Search and Shopping List
Create shopping list from search results:
Inventory-Based Cooking
Search Patterns
Exclusion Patterns
While the search command doesn't support negative queries directly, you can filter results:
Complex Queries
Combine with shell tools for complex searches:
Integration Examples
Menu Planning
Recipe Discovery
Export Search Results
Tips and Tricks
Fuzzy Search Workflow
Use with fuzzy finders for interactive selection:
Optimizing Search
Organizing for Better Search
Structure your recipes for better searchability:
Troubleshooting
No Results Found
- Check spelling
- Try simpler terms
- Use single words instead of phrases
- Verify you're in the right directory
Too Many Results
- Add more search terms
- Use more specific terms
- Search in subdirectories
- Filter results with grep
Performance
For very large collections:
- Organize recipes into folders
- Search specific directories
- Consider using external search tools like
ripgrep
See Also
- Recipe – View found recipes
- Shopping List – Create lists from search results
- Server – Search via web interface