## Overview

Strix Everything is a local file search app for macOS.

It helps you search files inside folders that you choose and authorize. After a folder is added, the app builds an index so later searches are much faster.

## Getting Started

### First Launch

When you open the app for the first time:

1. Open the main window.
2. Click `Add Search Scope`.
3. Choose one or more folders you want Strix Everything to search.
4. Grant access when macOS asks for permission.

After that, the app starts indexing those folders in the background.

### Why Strix Everything asks for folder access

macOS requires your permission before an app can read files in your folders.

Strix Everything only searches folders that you explicitly add.

## Basic Search

Use the search bar at the top of the window to search by:

- file name
- folder name
- file path

Search results update automatically as you type.

## Filter by File Type

Use the file type list in the sidebar to narrow results, for example:

- All
- Folder
- Document
- Image
- Video
- Audio
- Archive
- Code
- App
- Other

## Manage Search Scopes

### Add a folder

Click `Add Search Scope` and choose a folder.

### Remove a folder

Remove a scope if you no longer want that folder included in search.

When you remove a scope, the related indexed records are also removed from the app.

### Clear all scopes

Use `Clear Search Scopes` to remove all authorized folders at once.

## Search Results

In the results list, you can:

- open a file
- reveal it in Finder
- copy its full path
- inspect file details

Selecting a result shows more information in the detail panel.

## Detail Panel

The detail panel may show:

- file name
- full path
- file type
- size
- created date
- modified date
- preview or thumbnail when available

## Menu Bar Features

Strix Everything can also run from the menu bar.

From the menu bar menu, you can:

- show the main window
- turn `Launch at Login` on or off
- rebuild the file index
- quit the app

## Launch at Login

If you enable `Launch at Login`, the app starts automatically when you sign in to macOS.

When started this way, Strix Everything can stay in the background and continue serving the menu bar without forcing the main window to open.

## Rebuild Index

Use `Rebuild File Index` if:

- search results seem outdated
- files were moved or deleted outside normal monitoring
- you want to refresh the index manually

If no search scope has been added yet, rebuilding is unavailable.

## Tips

- Add only the folders you actually want to search.
- Very large folders may take longer to index the first time.
- Searches are much faster after initial indexing finishes.
- If a folder disappears or is no longer available, remove it and add it again if needed.

## Troubleshooting

### I see no results

Check these points:

- at least one search scope has been added
- the folder still exists
- the app has permission to access that folder
- the file type filter is not hiding your result

### Search feels incomplete

Try rebuilding the index from the menu bar.

### The app cannot access a folder anymore

Remove that folder from search scopes, then add it again and grant access again.

### I closed the main window

You can reopen it by:

- clicking the Dock icon
- choosing `Show Main Window` from the menu bar
- using the app menu item for opening the main window

## Recommended Workflow

1. Add your main working folders.
2. Wait for the first indexing pass to complete.
3. Search from the main window during normal use.
4. Keep the app in the menu bar for quick access.

Technical Support Email: [email protected]