mate-search-tool

Search files containing a specific string in their name in a specific directory

$ mate-search-tool --named=[string] --path=[path/to/directory]

$ mate-search-tool --start --named=[string] --path=[path/to/directory]

$ mate-search-tool --start --regex=[string] --path=[path/to/directory]

$ mate-search-tool --start --named=[string] --path=[path/to/directory] --sortby=[name|folder|size|type|date]

$ mate-search-tool --start --named=[string] --path=[path/to/directory] --descending

$ mate-search-tool --start --[user|group]=[value] --path=[path/to/directory]

mate-search-tool [OPTIONS...]

-?, --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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

find(1), grep(1), locate(1), mlocate(1)