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Search| modified | Saturday 9 May 2026 |
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XLog includes fast, built-in full-text search that lets you find content across your entire knowledge base instantly. No external search service required.
Keyboard shortcut:
Ctrl+K (Windows/Linux)
Cmd+K (macOS)
Or click the Search button in the navigation bar.
Type your query and press Enter:
machine learning
Finds all pages containing “machine” and “learning”.
XLog indexes all markdown content:
Updates automatically when pages change (hot-reload).
XLog uses simple but effective full-text matching:
golang
Finds pages containing “golang”.
neural networks
Finds pages containing both “neural” AND “networks” (in any order).
Enclose in quotes:
"attention mechanism"
Finds exact phrase “attention mechanism”.
Prefix with title::
title:introduction
Finds pages with “introduction” in the title.
Results show:
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Search: "machine learning" (8 results)
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Introduction to Machine Learning
...supervised learning and unsupervised...
Neural Network Architectures
...machine learning models for deep...
Transformer Architecture
...natural language processing using...
Each result includes:
“What did I write about databases?”
database optimization
Instantly find all database-related notes.
“Where did I mention transformers?”
transformer
Discover all pages discussing transformers across different contexts.
“What was that command for Docker?”
docker compose
Find pages with Docker Compose commands.
“Have I written about GraphQL?”
graphql
Check if you’ve covered a topic or identify gaps.
“Which pages mention this old API?”
old_api_endpoint
Find all pages to update when refactoring code.
Start broad, then narrow:
1. python ← Too many results
2. python async ← Better
3. python asyncio ← Specific
Search distinctive terms:
❌ "how to" ← Too common
✅ "authentication" ← Specific topic
Can’t find it? Try variations:
1. neural network
2. deep learning
3. backpropagation
Different pages might use different terminology.
Use search to find entry points, then use backlinks to explore:
machine learningXLog search is optimized for speed:
| Knowledge Base Size | Search Time |
|---|---|
| 100 pages | <10ms |
| 1,000 pages | <50ms |
| 5,000 pages | <200ms |
| 10,000 pages | <500ms |
Real-time as you type (with debouncing).
Search index is built on demand and cached intelligently. Large knowledge bases use minimal memory.
Both are valuable for knowledge discovery:
| Use Search When | Use Browse When |
|---|---|
| Looking for specific content | Exploring connections |
| Know what you’re looking for | Discovering related ideas |
| Finding forgotten notes | Following thought chains |
| Locating references | Understanding relationships |
Example workflow:
Hugo, Jekyll, 11ty:
XLog:
Obsidian:
XLog:
XLog’s search is simpler but sufficient for most knowledge base needs.
Search is provided by the search extension (enabled by default).
To disable search:
1xlog -disabled-extensions "search"
(Not recommended - search is essential for navigation)
Search requires exact word matches:
"learning" won't find "learn" or "learned"
Use multiple searches with variations.
Can’t use OR, NOT, etc.:
❌ "python OR javascript" ← Not supported
✅ Search twice separately
Simple text matching only:
❌ "neural.*network" ← Not supported
✅ "neural network" ← Use plain text
XLog keeps search simple and predictable.
Results are ordered by page modification time, not relevance:
Most recently modified pages appear first
This is intentional - recent pages are usually most relevant in a personal knowledge base.
❌ "the introduction" ← Too common
✅ "transformer architecture" ← Specific
1. "async programming"
2. "asynchronous code"
3. "concurrency"
Code blocks are indexed:
async def fetch
Finds Python async functions.
2026-05
Find pages mentioning May 2026.
Search, then filter results mentally:
Search: "api"
Mentally filter: "Which of these are tutorials?"
When search is open:
↑/↓ - Navigate results
Enter - Open selected result
Esc - Close search
Fast keyboard-only navigation.
Combine search with other XLog features:
Search: "confirmation bias"
→ Find all research notes mentioning this concept
→ Review backlinks for related papers
Search: "authentication middleware"
→ Locate API auth documentation
→ Find code examples
→ Update outdated patterns
Search: "productivity"
→ Find all articles on productivity
→ Avoid repeating yourself
→ Link related pieces
Search: "book notes"
→ Find specific book summaries
→ Review highlights
→ Connect ideas across books
Current XLog search is intentionally simple. Possible future additions:
These would be added only if users request them. Current search handles 95% of use cases.
Make search your first reflex:
"Did I write about X?" → Ctrl+K → Search
Faster than browsing directories.
Before creating a new page:
Search: "docker containers"
Check if you already have content on this topic.
Not sure what you called a page?
Search: "network architecture"
→ Find exact page name
→ Use for [Backlink](/Backlink)
Periodically search broad terms:
Search: "todo" or "draft" or "incomplete"
Find unfinished work.