mate-search-tool
Search for files within directories
TLDR
Search files containing a specific string in their name in a specific directory
Search files without waiting a user confirmation
Search files with name matching a specific regular expression
Set a sorting order in search results
Set a descending sorting order
Search files owned by a specific user/group
SYNOPSIS
mate-search-tool [OPTIONS...]
PARAMETERS
-?, --help
Display help options.
--help-all
Display all help options, including GTK+ specific ones.
--help-gtk
Display GTK+ Options.
-f, --filename=FILENAME
Specify a pattern for the filename to search for.
-p, --path=PATH
Specify the directory where the search should begin.
-c, --contains=TEXT
Search for files containing the specified text.
-s, --start
Start the search immediately upon launching the GUI.
-i, --case-sensitive
Make the filename and content search case sensitive.
-a, --show-only-writable
Limit results to files writable by the current user.
-o, --output-only-count
Suppress the GUI and output only the number of matched files to standard output.
--mime-type=MIME_TYPE
Filter results by a specific MIME type.
--limit-files=NUMBER
Stop the search after a specified number of files are found.
--max-depth=NUMBER
Limit the search to a specified directory depth.
--newer-than=FILENAME
Find files that are newer than the specified reference file.
--older-than=FILENAME
Find files that are older than the specified reference file.
--empty
Find empty files or directories.
--size-is-greater-than=NUMBER
Find files larger than the specified size in bytes.
--size-is-less-than=NUMBER
Find files smaller than the specified size in bytes.
--user=USER
Find files owned by the specified user.
--group=GROUP
Find files owned by the specified group.
--mount-points
Restrict the search to mounted filesystems only.
--follow-symlinks
Follow symbolic links when traversing directories.
--ignore-hidden
Exclude hidden files and directories from the search.
--name-is-regular-expression
Treat the filename pattern as a regular expression.
--display=DISPLAY
Specify the X display to use (for graphical output).
--version
Show version information of the mate-search-tool.
DESCRIPTION
The mate-search-tool command launches the MATE desktop environment's graphical utility for finding files and directories. It allows users to specify search criteria such as filename patterns, file content, modification dates, file sizes, ownership, and MIME types.
While primarily a GUI application, it supports command-line arguments to pre-fill search fields, initiate a search directly, or even perform a headless search (e.g., just returning a count) making it useful for scripting in MATE environments. It provides a user-friendly interface for common file search operations.
CAVEATS
Primarily a GUI tool that requires an X display to launch its graphical window, unless the --output-only-count option is used for headless operation. Its functionality is focused on the MATE desktop environment.
GRAPHICAL INTERFACE
By default, mate-search-tool opens a user-friendly graphical window, providing checkboxes, text fields, and dropdowns for specifying search criteria, making it intuitive for non-technical users.
INTEGRATION WITH MATE
The tool is deeply integrated into the MATE desktop, often accessible via the Applications menu or a keyboard shortcut, providing seamless access to file search capabilities within the desktop environment.
HISTORY
mate-search-tool is an integral part of the MATE Desktop Environment, which emerged as a fork of GNOME 2. It serves as the continuation of the traditional GNOME 2 search utility, preserving its familiar interface and capabilities for users who prefer the classic desktop paradigm. Its ongoing development is closely aligned with the broader MATE project's evolution and maintenance.