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Claude Desktop Commander MCP

start_search

Read-only

Search for files or content in your file system, returning results progressively as they are found. Supports regex and literal patterns with case-insensitive matching.

Instructions

                    Start a streaming search that can return results progressively.
                    
                    SEARCH STRATEGY GUIDE:
                    Choose the right search type based on what the user is looking for:
                    
                    USE searchType="files" WHEN:
                    - User asks for specific files: "find package.json", "locate config files"
                    - Pattern looks like a filename: "*.js", "README.md", "test-*.tsx" 
                    - User wants to find files by name/extension: "all TypeScript files", "Python scripts"
                    - Looking for configuration/setup files: ".env", "dockerfile", "tsconfig.json"
                    
                    USE searchType="content" WHEN:
                    - User asks about code/logic: "authentication logic", "error handling", "API calls"
                    - Looking for functions/variables: "getUserData function", "useState hook"
                    - Searching for text/comments: "TODO items", "FIXME comments", "documentation"
                    - Finding patterns in code: "console.log statements", "import statements"
                    - User describes functionality: "components that handle login", "files with database queries"
                    
                    WHEN UNSURE OR USER REQUEST IS AMBIGUOUS:
                    Run TWO searches in parallel - one for files and one for content:
                    
                    Example approach for ambiguous queries like "find authentication stuff":
                    1. Start file search: searchType="files", pattern="auth"
                    2. Simultaneously start content search: searchType="content", pattern="authentication"  
                    3. Present combined results: "Found 3 auth-related files and 8 files containing authentication code"
                    
                    SEARCH TYPES:
                    - searchType="files": Find files by name (pattern matches file names)
                    - searchType="content": Search inside files for text patterns
                    
                    PATTERN MATCHING MODES:
                    - Default (literalSearch=false): Patterns are treated as regular expressions
                    - Literal (literalSearch=true): Patterns are treated as exact strings
                    
                    WHEN TO USE literalSearch=true:
                    Use literal search when searching for code patterns with special characters:
                    - Function calls with parentheses and quotes
                    - Array access with brackets
                    - Object methods with dots and parentheses
                    - File paths with backslashes
                    - Any pattern containing: . * + ? ^ $ { } [ ] | \ ( )
                    
                    IMPORTANT PARAMETERS:
                    - pattern: What to search for (file names OR content text)
                    - literalSearch: Use exact string matching instead of regex (default: false)
                    - filePattern: Optional filter to limit search to specific file types (e.g., "*.js", "package.json")
                    - ignoreCase: Case-insensitive search (default: true). Works for both file names and content.
                    - earlyTermination: Stop search early when exact filename match is found (optional: defaults to true for file searches, false for content searches)
                    
                    DECISION EXAMPLES:
                    - "find package.json" → searchType="files", pattern="package.json" (specific file)
                    - "find authentication components" → searchType="content", pattern="authentication" (looking for functionality)
                    - "locate all React components" → searchType="files", pattern="*.tsx" or "*.jsx" (file pattern)
                    - "find TODO comments" → searchType="content", pattern="TODO" (text in files)
                    - "show me login files" → AMBIGUOUS → run both: files with "login" AND content with "login"
                    - "find config" → AMBIGUOUS → run both: config files AND files containing config code
                    
                    COMPREHENSIVE SEARCH EXAMPLES:
                    - Find package.json files: searchType="files", pattern="package.json"
                    - Find all JS files: searchType="files", pattern="*.js"
                    - Search for TODO in code: searchType="content", pattern="TODO", filePattern="*.js|*.ts"
                    - Search for exact code: searchType="content", pattern="toast.error('test')", literalSearch=true
                    - Ambiguous request "find auth stuff": Run two searches:
                      1. searchType="files", pattern="auth"
                      2. searchType="content", pattern="authentication"
                    
                    PRO TIP: When user requests are ambiguous about whether they want files or content,
                    run both searches concurrently and combine results for comprehensive coverage.
                    
                    Unlike regular search tools, this starts a background search process and returns
                    immediately with a session ID. Use get_more_search_results to get results as they
                    come in, and stop_search to stop the search early if needed.
                    
                    Perfect for large directories where you want to see results immediately and
                    have the option to cancel if the search takes too long or you find what you need.
                    
                    IMPORTANT: Always use absolute paths for reliability. Paths are automatically normalized regardless of slash direction. Relative paths may fail as they depend on the current working directory. Tilde paths (~/...) might not work in all contexts. Unless the user explicitly asks for relative paths, use absolute paths.
                    This command can be referenced as "DC: ..." or "use Desktop Commander to ..." in your instructions.

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
pathYes
patternYes
searchTypeNofiles
filePatternNo
ignoreCaseNo
maxResultsNo
includeHiddenNo
contextLinesNo
timeout_msNo
earlyTerminationNo
literalSearchNo
Behavior5/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

Beyond the readOnlyHint annotation, the description discloses that the search runs as a background process, returns immediately with a session ID, and can be stopped or retrieved incrementally. It explains pattern matching modes, literal vs regex, case-insensitivity, file patterns, absolute path requirements, and the role of earlyTermination.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness4/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is lengthy but well-organized with clear headings (SEARCH STRATEGY GUIDE, PATTERN MATCHING MODES, etc.) and front-loaded with the core purpose. Some repetition in examples could be trimmed, but the structure aids readability.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness4/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given 11 parameters, no output schema, and the streaming behavior, the description covers the conceptual model, usage patterns, and integration with sibling tools (get_more_search_results, stop_search). It lacks documentation for a few parameters, but overall provides sufficient context for correct invocation.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

With 0% schema description coverage, the description must explain all parameters. It covers pattern, searchType, filePattern, literalSearch, ignoreCase, earlyTermination, and contextLines (implicitly in examples). However, it does not explain path (only mentions absolute paths), maxResults, timeout_ms, or includeHidden despite schema having defaults for some. This leaves gaps for 4 parameters.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose5/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The first sentence clearly states the tool starts a streaming search that returns results progressively. The description distinguishes it from related sibling tools like get_more_search_results and stop_search, and explains that it returns a session ID for background search control.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines4/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

The description provides an extensive SEARCH STRATEGY GUIDE with explicit when-to-use conditions for searchType='files' vs 'content', and suggests parallel searches for ambiguous queries. It mentions the tool is for progressive search unlike regular tools, but does not explicitly compare to simpler alternatives like read_file or list_directory for direct file access.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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