Search & Filter Mastery

The Art of Finding 🔍

In MononoMori, search isn’t just about locating items—it’s about discovering relationships, patterns, and possibilities within your personal ecosystem. Our search system combines the precision of database queries with the intuition of natural language, making your digital forest as navigable as your own memory.

Search Philosophy

Intuitive Discovery:

• Search works the way you think, not the way databases think
• Multiple pathways to find the same item
• Serendipitous discovery of related items
• Progressive refinement from broad to specific

Contextual Intelligence:

• Search results adapt to your current context
• Recent activity influences result ranking
• Location and time-aware suggestions
• Personal usage patterns shape results

Forgiving Flexibility:

• Typos and variations handled gracefully
• Partial matches and fuzzy logic
• Multiple search strategies available simultaneously
• No “wrong” way to search

Universal Search System

Quick Search

Search Bar Access:

• Available from every screen in the app
• Tap the search icon or pull down to reveal
• Voice search activated with microphone button
• Recent searches provide quick access to common queries

As-You-Type Results:

• Results appear immediately as you type
• Auto-complete suggestions speed entry
• Real-time filtering and ranking
• Visual previews for quick recognition

Search Scope Options:

• All Items: Search across entire forest
• Current Space: Limit to active space
• Current Location: Focus on specific area
• Tagged Items: Search within tagged subsets

Advanced Search Capabilities

Full-Text Search:

• Searches item names, descriptions, notes, and metadata
• Includes text from photos (OCR-powered)
• Searches custom field content
• Includes tag descriptions and category information

Semantic Search:

• Understands synonyms and related terms
• “Camera” finds “photography equipment”
• “Cooking” locates “kitchen utensils”
• “Winter” discovers “cold weather gear”

Pattern Recognition:

• Identifies item serial numbers and model names
• Recognizes brand names and product lines
• Detects color names and material descriptions
• Understands size and quantity expressions

Search Types and Strategies

Basic Search Patterns

Simple Name Search:

• Type the item name as you remember it
• Partial names work: “coff” finds “coffee mug”
• Multiple words: “blue coffee mug”
• Exact phrases in quotes: “grandmother’s china”

Category-Based Search:

• Search within specific categories
• Combine category with descriptors
• Use category names as search terms
• Browse category contents

Tag-Driven Search:

• Search by single tags: #daily-use
• Multiple tags: #kitchen #small #red
• Tag combinations: #seasonal AND #outdoor
• Exclude tags: NOT #broken

Advanced Search Techniques

Boolean Logic:

• AND: Items must have all terms (coffee AND mug)
• OR: Items with any terms (mug OR cup)
• NOT: Exclude terms (kitchen NOT broken)
• Parentheses: Group logic ((red OR blue) AND ceramic)

Field-Specific Search:

• name:coffee - Search only in names
• description:vintage - Search descriptions
• location:kitchen - Search location names
• tags:daily-use - Search specific tag fields

Date-Based Search:

• added:today - Items added today
• modified:this-week - Recently changed items
• purchased:2024 - Items bought this year
• last-used:>30-days - Unused items

Value-Based Search:

• value:>100 - Items worth more than $100
• quantity:1 - Single items only
• condition:excellent - Items in excellent condition
• priority:high - High-priority items

Filter System Architecture

Quick Filters

One-Tap Filters:

• Recent: Items accessed recently
• Favorites: Starred or frequently used items
• Untagged: Items without tags
• No Photo: Items needing photos
• High Value: Expensive or precious items

Status Filters:

• Available: Currently accessible items
• In Use: Items currently being used
• Needs Attention: Items requiring action
• Loan Status: Borrowed or lent items

Location Filters:

• Current Space: Items in active space
• Nearby: Items in adjacent locations
• Accessible: Items you can reach easily
• Storage: Items in long-term storage

Advanced Filter Options

Multi-Criteria Filtering:

• Combine multiple filter types simultaneously
• Layer filters progressively
• Save complex filter combinations
• Quick filter modification and refinement

Date Range Filtering:

• Added date ranges
• Last accessed timeframes
• Purchase date periods
• Maintenance due dates

Numerical Range Filtering:

• Price ranges
• Quantity ranges
• Size/dimension ranges
• Rating ranges

Custom Field Filtering:

• Filter by any custom fields you’ve created
• Template-specific filter options
• User-defined criteria
• Dynamic field-based options

Search Result Management

Result Display Options

View Modes:

• List View: Detailed information per item
• Grid View: Visual thumbnails with key info
• Map View: Items shown in spatial context
• Timeline View: Items organized chronologically

Sorting Options:

• Relevance: Best match first (default)
• Alphabetical: A-Z or Z-A by name
• Date: Newest or oldest first
• Value: Highest or lowest value first
• Last Used: Most or least recently used
• Location: Grouped by space/location

Information Density:

• Minimal: Names and photos only
• Balanced: Key information displayed
• Detailed: All available information
• Custom: Choose specific fields to display

Search Result Actions

Individual Item Actions:

• Tap to view full details
• Long-press for quick action menu
• Swipe for common actions (edit, move, delete)
• Star/favorite directly from results

Bulk Operations:

• Select multiple items from results
• Apply common actions to selection
• Move multiple items simultaneously
• Tag or categorize groups of items

Search Refinement:

• Add filters to current results
• Modify search terms
• Save useful searches
• Clear and start over

Saved Searches and Workflows

Creating Saved Searches

When to Save Searches:

• Frequently repeated queries
• Complex filter combinations
• Seasonal or project-based searches
• Maintenance and review workflows

Saved Search Management:

• Give searches descriptive names
• Organize by frequency or purpose
• Update saved searches as needs change
• Share useful searches with family members

Smart Search Lists:

• Searches that update automatically
• Dynamic results based on current data
• Alert when new items match criteria
• Integration with maintenance schedules

Common Saved Search Examples

Daily Life Searches:

• “Items I Need Today” (daily-use items in accessible locations)
• “Things to Bring” (items tagged for current project or trip)
• “Quick Grab Items” (frequently needed, easily accessible)
• “Items in Active Use” (things currently being used for projects)

Maintenance Searches:

• “Items Needing Attention” (repairs, cleaning, organizing)
• “Unused Items” (haven’t been accessed in defined timeframe)
• “Items Without Photos” (catalog completion workflow)
• “High-Value Unprotected” (valuable items needing better storage)

Seasonal Searches:

• “Winter Storage Items” (seasonal gear to put away)
• “Holiday Decorations” (items for upcoming celebrations)
• “Garden Season Prep” (items needed for gardening season)
• “Travel Planning Items” (gear needed for upcoming trips)

Search Performance Optimization

Search Best Practices

Efficient Search Habits:

• Start broad, then narrow with filters
• Use saved searches for repeated queries
• Learn keyboard shortcuts for speed
• Master voice search for hands-free operation

Database Optimization:

• Regular search index rebuilding
• Clean up unused tags and categories
• Maintain consistent naming conventions
• Archive old items that slow searches

Information Architecture:

• Use descriptive, searchable names
• Include searchable keywords in descriptions
• Tag consistently for better findability
• Structure categories logically

Troubleshooting Search Issues

Common Search Problems:

“I can’t find items I know exist”:

• Check for typos in search terms
• Try broader search terms
• Clear active filters that might exclude results
• Search in different scopes (all items vs. current space)

“Too many results to be useful”:

• Add more specific search terms
• Apply relevant filters to narrow results
• Use exact phrase searches with quotes
• Combine multiple search criteria

“Search feels slow or unresponsive”:

• Reduce search scope if possible
• Clear search history and rebuild indexes
• Check device storage and memory
• Update app to latest version for performance improvements

Advanced Search Tips

Power User Techniques:

• Use wildcards for pattern matching
• Combine text search with visual browsing
• Create search workflows for common tasks
• Master boolean logic for precise queries

Integration Workflows:

• Search integrated with maintenance schedules
• Link search results to action items
• Use search for inventory management
• Connect search to sharing and collaboration features

Mobile Optimization:

• Voice search for hands-free operation
• Quick filters accessible with thumb
• Swipe gestures for rapid refinement
• Offline search capabilities

Visual Search Features

Photo-Based Search

Image Recognition:

• Find items by visual similarity
• Search for items by color or shape
• Identify items from partial photos
• Match items to reference images

Barcode and QR Code Search:

• Scan barcodes to find matching items
• QR codes link to item details
• Integration with product databases
• Quick identification of packaged goods

Spatial Search

Location-Based Discovery:

• “Show me everything in this room”
• Find items near specific locations
• Discover forgotten items in storage areas
• Map-based exploration of forest

Proximity Search:

• Find items stored together
• Discover related items in nearby locations
• Identify items that might belong together
• Optimize storage by finding location patterns

Your search and filter mastery will transform how you interact with your belongings, making your digital forest as intuitive and navigable as your own thoughts. 🔍✨