Spotlight search
Find files quickly with Spotlight-style search inside Explorer.
Spotlight search inside Explorer
Explorer can use Spotlight-style search so you can find files quickly while staying in a file-focused UI.
What it searches
By default, search looks at file names. You can optionally enable content search to search inside text files.
Two engines are available:
- Spotlight (fast, depends on macOS indexing)
- File system scan (no index required, slower on large trees)
Scope: current folder vs subfolders
Search can run:
- in the current folder only
- across subfolders (useful for project roots)
This is a real “speed vs breadth” switch. If you’re drowning in results, start with Current folder.
Content search (practical expectations)
Content search is intentionally conservative:
- it focuses on text-like files
- it skips directories
- large files may be skipped for performance
If you need a full code indexer, keep using your IDE. Explorer’s goal is “find the thing fast”.
When results look “wrong”
If you can’t find something you know exists:
- Try a shorter query (name fragment usually wins).
- Check scope (current folder vs subfolders).
- If you use hidden/system folders, check your filters/settings.
- If Spotlight is enabled, it may still be indexing (or stuck).