Everything CLI Search Skill#

Fast file and folder search on Windows using Everything's command line interface with advanced search features: operators, wildcards, macros, modifiers, and functions.

Overview#

Everything is a filename search engine for Windows that provides:

• Small installation file
• Clean and simple user interface
• Quick file indexing
• Quick searching
• Quick startup
• Minimal resource usage
• Small database on disk
• Real-time updating

Installation#

1. Install Everything#

Download and install Everything from https://www.voidtools.com

2. Enable Everything Service#

• Open Everything
• Go to Tools → Options → General
• Check "Run as service"
• Click OK
• Restart Everything

3. Verify Installation#

Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:

bash

es.exe "test"

If you see search results, Everything CLI is ready to use!

Usage#

Python Script#

bash

python3 everything_search.py "query"

Bash Script#

bash

./es_search.sh "query"

PowerShell Script#

bash

.\es_search.ps1 "query"

Direct es.exe#

bash

es.exe "query"

Command Line Options#

Installation Options#

bash

# Install Everything to specific location
Everything.exe -install "C:\Program Files\Everything"

# Install Everything service
Everything.exe -install-service

# Install Everything client service
Everything.exe -install-client-service

# Uninstall Everything
Everything.exe -uninstall

Search Options#

bash

# Set search text
es.exe -s "search query"
es.exe -search "search query"

# Search in specific path
es.exe -p "C:\Users" "filename"
es.exe -path "C:\Users" "filename"

# Search in parent path (no subfolders)
es.exe -parent "C:\Users" "filename"

# Enable case-sensitive search
es.exe -case "Test"

# Enable regex search
es.exe -regex "test.*"

# Enable whole word matching
es.exe -wholeword "test"

# Enable path matching
es.exe -matchpath "test"

# Open a bookmark
es.exe -bookmark "mybookmark"

# Select a filter
es.exe -filter "audio"

# Load local database
es.exe -local

# Search from URL
es.exe -url "es:search query"

Result Options#

bash

# Sort results
es.exe -sort "size"
es.exe -sort "Date Modified"

# Sort ascending/descending
es.exe -sort-ascending
es.exe -sort-descending

# Show details view
es.exe -details

# Show thumbnails
es.exe -thumbnails

# Set thumbnail size
es.exe -thumbnail-size 256

# Focus specific result
es.exe -select "filename.txt"

# Focus top/bottom result
es.exe -focus-top-result
es.exe -focus-bottom-result

# Focus most run result
es.exe -focus-most-run-result

Database Options#

bash

# Force database rebuild
es.exe -reindex

# Save database to disk
es.exe -update

# Do not save/load database
es.exe -nodb

# Read-only mode
es.exe -read-only

# Set database file
es.exe -db "C:\Everything.db"

# Rescan all folder indexes
es.exe -rescan-all

# Pause/resume monitors
es.exe -monitor-pause
es.exe -monitor-resume

Window Options#

bash

# Show new window
es.exe -newwindow

# Show existing window
es.exe -nonewwindow

# Maximize/minimize
es.exe -maximized
es.exe -minimized

# Fullscreen
es.exe -fullscreen

# Always on top
es.exe -ontop

# Close window
es.exe -close

# Toggle window
es.exe -toggle-window

File List Options#

bash

# Create file list
es.exe -create-file-list "output.efu" "C:\path"

# Include only specific files
es.exe -create-file-list-include-only-files "*.mp3;*.flac"

# Exclude files
es.exe -create-file-list-exclude-files "*.tmp;thumbs.db"

# Exclude folders
es.exe -create-file-list-exclude-folders "temp;cache"

# Open file list
es.exe -f "music.efu"
es.exe -filelist "music.efu"

# Edit file list
es.exe -edit "music.efu"

ETP/FTP Options#

bash

# Connect to ETP server
es.exe -connect "username:password@hostname:port"

# Use drive links
es.exe -connect "hostname" -drive-links

# Use FTP links
es.exe -connect "hostname" -ftp-links

General Options#

bash

# Run as administrator
es.exe -admin

# Show help
es.exe -help
es.exe -h
es.exe -?

# Show debug console
es.exe -console
es.exe -debug

# Enable debug logging
es.exe -debug-log

# Exit Everything
es.exe -exit
es.exe -quit

# Start in background
es.exe -startup

# Start/stop service
es.exe -start-service
es.exe -stop-service

# Set instance name
es.exe -instance "myinstance"

# Set config file
es.exe -config "C:\Everything.ini"

Search Syntax#

Operators#

AND Operator (space)

bash

# Search for files containing both "file1" and "file2"
es "file1 file2"

# Search for PDF files containing "report"
es "*.pdf report"

OR Operator (|)

bash

# Search for files containing "file1" or "file2"
es "file1|file2"

# Search for PDF or DOCX files
es "*.pdf|*.docx"

NOT Operator (!)

bash

# Search for files containing "file1" but not "file2"
es "file1 !file2"

# Search for PDF files not containing "temp"
es "*.pdf !temp"

Grouping (< >)

bash

# Search for files containing (file1 or file2) and file3
es "<file1|file2> file3"

# Search for PDF or DOCX files containing "report"
es "<*.pdf|*.docx> report"

Exact Phrase (" ")

bash

# Search for exact phrase
es "\"exact phrase\""

# Search for files containing "hello world"
es "\"hello world\""

Wildcards#

\* (Zero or more characters)

bash

# Match all PDF files
es "*.pdf"

# Match all files starting with "test"
es "test*"

# Match all Python files
es "*.py"

? (One character)

bash

# Match files with single character
es "file?.txt"

# Match files with pattern
es "test_?.py"

Macros#

File Type Macros

bash

# Search audio files
es "audio:"

# Search compressed files
es "zip:"

# Search document files
es "doc:"

# Search executable files
es "exe:"

# Search picture files
es "pic:"

# Search video files
es "video:"

Special Character Macros

bash

# Literal double quote
es "quot:test"

# Literal apostrophe
es "apos:test"

# Literal ampersand
es "amp:test"

# Literal less than
es "lt:test"

# Literal greater than
es "gt:test"

# Unicode character (decimal)
es "#65"

# Unicode character (hex)
es "#x41"

Modifiers#

Case Modifiers

bash

# Case-sensitive search
es "case:Test"

# Case-insensitive search (default)
es "nocase:test"

Whole Filename Modifiers

bash

# Match whole filename
es "wfn:test.txt"

# Match whole word
es "ww:test"

# Match whole word only
es "wholeword:test"

File/Folder Modifiers

bash

# Match files only
es "file:test"

# Match folders only
es "folder:test"

Path Modifiers

bash

# Match path and filename
es "path:test"

# Match full path
es "matchpath:test"

Start/End Modifiers

bash

# Match filenames starting with text
es "startwith:test"

# Match filenames ending with text
es "endwith:.pdf"

Regex Modifiers

bash

# Enable regex
es "regex:test.*"

# Disable regex (default)
es "noregex:test"

Other Modifiers

bash

# Enable wildcards
es "wildcards:test*"

# Disable wildcards
es "nowildcards:test"

# Enable diacritics
es "diacritics:café"

# Disable diacritics (default)
es "nodiacritics:cafe"

Advanced Search Functions#

Size Search#

bash

# Search files larger than 1MB
es "size:>1mb"

# Search files smaller than 10MB
es "size:<10mb"

# Search files between 10MB and 100MB
es "size:10mb..100mb"

# Search tiny files (0 KB < size <= 10 KB)
es "size:tiny"

# Search huge files (16 MB < size <= 128 MB)
es "size:huge"

# Search gigantic files (size > 128 MB)
es "size:gigantic"

# Search empty files
es "size:empty"

Date Search#

bash

# Search files modified today
es "datemodified:today"

# Search files modified yesterday
es "datemodified:yesterday"

# Search files modified last week
es "datemodified:lastweek"

# Search files modified in 2024
es "datemodified:2024"

# Search files created last month
es "datecreated:lastmonth"

# Search files accessed last 7 days
es "dateaccessed:last7days"

# Search files modified this week
es "datemodified:thisweek"

# Search files modified next month
es "datemodified:nextmonth"

Attribute Search#

bash

# Search hidden files
es "attrib:H"

# Search read-only files
es "attrib:R"

# Search system files
es "attrib:S"

# Search encrypted files
es "attrib:E"

# Search hidden and read-only files
es "attrib:HR"

# Search archive files
es "attrib:A"

# Search compressed files
es "attrib:C"

# Search directories
es "attrib:D"

Content Search#

bash

# Search files containing "hello world"
es "content:\"hello world\""

# Search UTF-8 content
es "content:\"hello\" encoding:utf8"

# Search UTF-16 content
es "content:\"hello\" encoding:utf16"

# Search UTF-16 BE content
es "content:\"hello\" encoding:utf16be"

# Search ANSI content
es "content:\"hello\" encoding:ansi"

Image Search#

bash

# Search images with width 1920
es "width:1920"

# Search images with height 1080
es "height:1080"

# Search landscape images
es "orientation:landscape"

# Search portrait images
es "orientation:portrait"

# Search images with specific dimensions
es "width:1920 height:1080"

# Search images with 24-bit depth
es "bitdepth:24"

# Search images with specific dimensions
es "dimensions:1920x1080"

Media Search#

bash

# Search by album
es "album:\"Album Name\""

# Search by artist
es "artist:\"Artist Name\""

# Search by genre
es "genre:Rock"

# Search by title
es "title:\"Song Title\""

# Search by track number
es "track:5"

# Search by comment
es "comment:\"Comment\""

Other Functions#

bash

# Search duplicate files
es "dupe:"

# Search empty folders
es "empty:"

# Search files by name length
es "len:10"

# Search files by run count
es "runcount:>5"

# Search recently changed files
es "daterecentlychanged:today"

Keyboard Shortcuts#

Search Edit Shortcuts#

ShortcutActionCtrl + ASelect all textCtrl + BackspaceDelete previous wordCtrl + SpaceComplete searchEnterFocus result list and select highest run countUp/Down ArrowFocus result listAlt + Up/Down ArrowShow search history

Result List Shortcuts#

ShortcutActionF2Rename focused itemDeleteMove to recycle binShift + DeletePermanently deleteEnterOpen selected itemsCtrl + EnterOpen path of selected itemAlt + EnterDisplay propertiesCtrl + CCopy selected itemsCtrl + VPaste itemsCtrl + XCut selected itemsCtrl + Shift + CCopy full pathCtrl + ASelect all itemsSpaceSelect focusCtrl + SpaceToggle selection

Global Shortcuts#

ShortcutActionEscape / Ctrl + WClose windowF1Show helpF3 / Ctrl + F / Alt + DFocus search editF5Reload icons, sizes, datesF11Toggle fullscreenCtrl + NOpen new search windowCtrl + OOpen file listCtrl + PShow optionsCtrl + QExit EverythingCtrl + SExport resultsCtrl + TToggle always on topCtrl + BToggle whole wordCtrl + IToggle caseCtrl + MToggle diacriticsCtrl + RToggle regexCtrl + UToggle pathCtrl + DBookmark searchCtrl + 1-9Sort by columnAlt + HomeGo to home searchAlt + Left/RightBack/Forward

Complex Query Examples#

Combined Operators#

bash

# Search for PDF files containing "report" or "summary"
es "*.pdf <report|summary>"

# Search for files containing "file1" and "file2" but not "temp"
es "file1 file2 !temp"

# Search for PDF or DOCX files containing "invoice"
es "<*.pdf|*.docx> invoice"

Combined Functions#

bash

# Search PDF files larger than 1MB modified today
es "*.pdf size:>1mb datemodified:today"

# Search Python files modified last week
es "*.py datemodified:lastweek"

# Search hidden files in Documents
es "attrib:H infolder:\"C:\Documents\""

# Search files containing "error" in content
es "content:\"error\""

# Search images with width >= 1920
es "width:>=1920"

# Search files with name length 10
es "len:10"

Combined Modifiers#

bash

# Case-sensitive whole filename search
es "case:wfn:test.txt"

# Whole word file-only search
es "ww:file:test"

# Start with and end with
es "startwith:test endwith:.pdf"

All Combined#

bash

# Complex query with operators, functions, and modifiers
es "<*.pdf|*.docx> size:>1mb datemodified:lastweek case:wfn:report"

# Search for audio files modified today
es "audio: datemodified:today"

# Search for images with specific dimensions and orientation
es "pic: dimensions:1920x1080 orientation:landscape"

# Search for files containing "error" in content, modified last week
es "content:\"error\" datemodified:lastweek"

Common Use Cases#

Find SKILL.md files in openclaw-skills#

bash

es -p "F:\openclaw-skills" "SKILL.md"

Find all browser-related skills#

bash

es -p "F:\openclaw-skills\skills" -regex ".*browser.*"

Find all Python scripts#

bash

es -p "F:\openclaw-skills" "*.py"

Find files modified today#

bash

es "datemodified:today"

Find large files#

bash

es "size:>100mb"

Find hidden files#

bash

es "attrib:H"

Find files containing specific text#

bash

es "content:\"TODO\""

Find images with specific dimensions#

bash

es "width:1920 height:1080"

Find PDF files larger than 1MB#

bash

es "*.pdf size:>1mb"

Find files modified last week#

bash

es "datemodified:lastweek"

Find duplicate files#

bash

es "dupe:"

Find empty folders#

bash

es "empty:"

Find audio files#

bash

es "audio:"

Find video files#

bash

es "video:"

Find picture files#

bash

es "pic:"

Size Constants#

ConstantSize Rangeempty0 bytestiny0 KB < size <= 10 KBsmall10 KB < size <= 100 KBmedium100 KB < size <= 1 MBlarge1 MB < size <= 16 MBhuge16 MB < size <= 128 MBgiganticsize > 128 MBunknownUnknown size

Date Constants#

ConstantDescriptiontodayTodayyesterdayYesterdaytomorrowTomorrowlastweekLast weekthisweekThis weeknextweekNext weeklastmonthLast monththismonthThis monthnextmonthNext monthlastyearLast yearthisyearThis yearnextyearNext yearlast7daysLast 7 dayslast30daysLast 30 dayslast90daysLast 90 days

Attribute Constants#

ConstantDescriptionAArchiveCCompressedDDirectoryEEncryptedHHiddenINot content indexedLReparse pointNNormalOOfflinePSparse fileRRead onlySSystemTTemporaryVDevice

Indexes#

Database Location#

Everything stores the database in:

text

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Everything\Everything.db

If "Store settings and data in %APPDATA%\Everything" is disabled, Everything.db is stored in the same location as Everything.exe.

Indexing Options#

To include extra file information in the Everything index:

• In Everything, go to Tools → Options → Indexes
• Check desired options:
  • Index file size
  • Index folder size
  • Index date created
  • Index date modified
  • Index date accessed
  • Index attributes

Fast Sorting#

Enable fast sorting for better performance:

• In Everything, go to Tools → Options → Indexes
• Check desired fast sort options:
  • Fast size sort
  • Fast date created sort
  • Fast date modified sort
  • Fast date accessed sort
  • Fast attribute sort
  • Fast path sort
  • Fast extension sort

Force Rebuild#

To force Everything to rebuild its indexes:

• In Everything, go to Tools → Options → Indexes
• Click Force Rebuild
• Click OK

Or use command line:

bash

es.exe -reindex

File Lists#

File lists allow you to index CDs, DVDs, BluRays and other offline files and folders.

Create File List#

bash

# Create file list of a path
es.exe -create-file-list "music.efu" "D:\Music"

# Include only specific files
es.exe -create-file-list "music.efu" "D:\Music" -create-file-list-include-only-files "*.mp3;*.flac"

# Exclude files
es.exe -create-file-list "music.efu" "D:\Music" -create-file-list-exclude-files "*.tmp;thumbs.db"

# Exclude folders
es.exe -create-file-list "music.efu" "D:\Music" -create-file-list-exclude-folders "temp;cache"

Open File List#

bash

# Open file list
es.exe -f "music.efu"
es.exe -filelist "music.efu"

# Edit file list
es.exe -edit "music.efu"

HTTP Server#

Everything can start a web server to access your files from your phone or other device.

Start HTTP Server#

• In Everything, go to Tools → Options → HTTP Server
• Check Enable HTTP server
• Set port (default: 80)
• Click OK

Access HTTP Server#

Open your browser and navigate to:

text

http://localhost:80

ETP Server#

Everything ETP/FTP server allows you to search and access your files from an Everything client or FTP client.

Start ETP Server#

• In Everything, go to Tools → Options → ETP/FTP
• Check Enable ETP/FTP server
• Set username and password
• Set port (default: 21)
• Click OK

Connect to ETP Server#

bash

# Connect to ETP server
es.exe -connect "username:password@hostname:port"

# Use drive links
es.exe -connect "hostname" -drive-links

# Use FTP links
es.exe -connect "hostname" -ftp-links

Tips#

1. Use quotes for paths with spaces: es -p "C:\Program Files" "filename"
2. Combine operators: es "file1 file2|file3"
3. Use wildcards: *.txt, test_*.py, file?.ext
4. Sort for better results: Use -sort and -sort-descending for large result sets
5. Use regex for complex patterns: es -regex "pattern.*"
6. Use functions for advanced filtering: size:>1mb datemodified:today
7. Combine multiple functions: *.pdf size:>1mb datemodified:lastweek
8. Use modifiers for precise matching: wfn:test.txt, ww:test, case:Test
9. Use macros for quick filtering: audio:, pic:, video:
10. Use operators for complex queries: file1 file2|file3 !file4
11. Enable fast sorting for better performance: Check fast sort options in Indexes
12. Use file lists for offline media: Create EFU files for CDs, DVDs, etc.
13. Use HTTP server for remote access: Access files from phone or other devices
14. Use ETP server for network access: Share files across computers
15. Pause monitors when needed: Use /monitor_pause and /monitor_resume

Limitations#

• Only works on Windows
• Requires Everything to be installed and running
• Everything service must be enabled for real-time indexing
• Some options require Everything to be running
• Content search requires files to be indexed
• NTFS/ReFS indexing doesn't follow junctions
• Hard link changes only update first entry

Troubleshooting#

"es.exe not found" Error#

If you see this error, Everything is not installed or not in your PATH:

1. Download and install Everything from https://www.voidtools.com
2. Add Everything installation directory to your PATH
3. Restart your terminal

No Results Found#

If you get no results:

1. Make sure Everything service is running

2. Check if the path is correct

3. Try rebuilding the Everything database: bash

   es.exe -reindex
   
   

Slow Search Performance#

If search is slow:

1. Make sure Everything service is enabled
2. Check if NTFS indexing is enabled
3. Enable fast sorting options
4. Reduce the number of indexed volumes

ETP Server Won't Start#

If ETP server fails to start with "bind failed 10048":

1. Check if another FTP server is running on port 21
2. Change ETP server port to 2121 or another available port
3. Make sure port is not blocked by firewall

See Also#

• Everything Command Line Options
• Everything Documentation
• Everything Download
• Everything HTTP Server
• Everything ETP Server
• Everything Indexes
• Everything File Lists

License#

This skill is part of OpenClaw and follows the same license.