Jerryowl: Created page with " {{DISPLAYTITLE:Help:Search}} = Searching the wiki = This page shows how to quickly find pages, files, and categories on the wiki, plus tips for narrowing results. TOC == Quick start == # Use the search box at the top of any page. # Type a few keywords. Press '''Enter'''. # Click a result, or use the filters on the results page (namespaces, file pages, etc.). '''Tips''' * Use specific words (e.g., “access token Discord” instead of “..."

2025-09-20T03:49:46Z

Created page with "<noinclude> {{DISPLAYTITLE:Help:Search}} </noinclude> = Searching the wiki = This page shows how to quickly find pages, files, and categories on the wiki, plus tips for narrowing results. __TOC__ == Quick start == # Use the search box at the top of any page. # Type a few keywords. Press '''Enter'''. # Click a result, or use the filters on the results page (namespaces, file pages, etc.). '''Tips''' * Use specific words (e.g., “access token Discord” instead of “..."

New page

<noinclude>
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Help:Search}}
</noinclude>
= Searching the wiki =

This page shows how to quickly find pages, files, and categories on the wiki, plus tips for narrowing results.

__TOC__

== Quick start ==

# Use the search box at the top of any page.
# Type a few keywords. Press '''Enter'''.
# Click a result, or use the filters on the results page (namespaces, file pages, etc.).

'''Tips'''
* Use specific words (e.g., “access token Discord” instead of “login”).
* Try alternative spellings and abbreviations.
* If you know the page name starts with something, start typing it—MediaWiki suggests page titles automatically.

== Exact phrases & excluding words (works everywhere) ==

* '''Exact phrase:''' put words in quotes
: <code>"open source intelligence"</code>
* '''Exclude a word:''' add a minus sign
: <code>discord -bot</code>
* '''Either word (OR):''' use capital OR
: <code>oauth OR "single sign-on"</code>
* '''Combine them:'''
: <code>"mediawiki login" -legacy OR oauth</code>

== Limiting by page type (namespaces) ==

Many wikis separate content into “namespaces” like **Main**, **Help**, **File**, **Template**, etc.

On the results page, you can:
* Click **Advanced** (or **Search in** / **Namespaces**) and check only the spaces you care about (e.g., **Main** + **Help**).
* Or start your query by clicking a namespace in the filter bar (if visible).

Common namespaces:
* **Main (no prefix)** – articles and normal pages
* **Help:** – help docs (like this page)
* **File:** – images and uploads
* **Template:** – reusable snippets/layouts
* **Category:** – category pages that list related pages

== Finding pages by title vs. content ==

* If you think you know the title, start typing it—use the autocomplete suggestions.
* If you’re searching for text that appears inside pages, just type the words; results will include pages containing those words.

== Categories ==

If you know a relevant category:
* Open the category page (e.g., <code>Category:OSINT</code>) and browse its members.
* From any page, check the categories at the bottom; click one to see related pages.

== Files & images ==

To find uploads:
* Search normally; then filter by the **File** namespace on the results page.
* Or go to [[Special:NewFiles]] to see recent uploads.

== Common pitfalls ==

* '''Plural/singular:''' Try both (e.g., ''template'' / ''templates'').
* '''Typos & variants:''' Try alternate spellings, hyphenation, or acronyms.
* '''Too broad:''' Add one or two precise terms to narrow down.
* '''Too narrow:''' Remove quotes or minus terms if you get no results.

----

= Advanced search (if enabled) =
The features below require the **Advanced Search** interface and/or the **CirrusSearch/ElasticSearch** extension. If your wiki hasn’t enabled them yet, you’ll see basic results only.

== Helpful operators ==

; '''intitle:''' finds words in the page title
: <code>intitle:Discord</code>    <code>intitle:"OAuth setup"</code>

; '''incategory:''' finds pages in a given category
: <code>incategory:OSINT</code>    <code>incategory:"Open Source Tools"</code>

; '''deepcategory:''' includes subcategories too
: <code>deepcategory:"Open Source Tools"</code>

; '''hastemplate:''' pages that transclude a template
: <code>hastemplate:Infobox</code>

; '''prefix:''' pages whose titles start with this path (great for organized trees)
: <code>prefix:Help/</code>    <code>prefix:Guides/MediaWiki/</code>

; '''filetype:''' narrow files by type (on File pages)
: <code>filetype:pdf</code>    <code>filetype:png "logo"</code>

; '''insource:''' text in the raw wikitext (not just rendered page)
: <code>insource:"<nowiki>{{Infobox</nowiki>"</code>
: Regex (if enabled): <code>insource:/\boauth2?\b/</code>

== Phrases, wildcards, fuzziness ==

* '''Phrase proximity:''' words within N words – <code>"discord login"~5</code>
* '''Wildcard:''' trailing star – <code>auth*</code> matches ''auth'', ''authn'', ''authz'', ''authentication''…
* '''Fuzzy:''' allow minor typos – <code>disocrd~</code>

== Examples ==

* Pages about Discord login setup guides:
<code>intitle:Discord intitle:login prefix:Help/ OR prefix:Guides/</code>
* Everything in and under a category:
<code>deepcategory:"OSINT Tools"</code>
* Pages that use a specific template:
<code>hastemplate:"Notice"</code>
* Files that are PDFs mentioning a keyword:
<code>filetype:pdf "mediawiki"</code>
* Find a template parameter in source:
<code>insource:/\|\s*Status\s*=\s*(Active|Beta)/</code>

== Namespaces via query (advanced) ==

If your wiki shows a namespace picker, prefer that. Otherwise, some setups allow an inline form like:
* <code>namespace:Help "search tips"</code> (or use the filter UI)
* Multiple namespaces are usually chosen from the filter UI on the results page.

----

= Power user tools =

* [[Special:Search]] – full search interface (filters, namespaces, advanced options)
* [[Special:AllPages]] – browse all page titles
* [[Special:WhatLinksHere]] – see pages that link to the current page
* [[Special:RecentChanges]] – scan the latest edits
* [[Special:NewFiles]] – newest uploads
* [[Special:Categories]] – list of categories
* [[Special:PrefixIndex]] – list pages by a common prefix (helpful for hierarchies)

= Troubleshooting =

; I can’t find a page I know exists.
: Check spelling/wording, remove quotes/minus terms, or search by title keywords only. Browse via [[Special:AllPages]] or [[Special:PrefixIndex]].

; My results are too broad.
: Add a unique keyword, put a phrase in quotes, or use a namespace/category filter.

; I need to search inside code/parameters.
: Use '''insource:''' (if available) or open the page and use the browser’s find (<kbd>Ctrl</kbd>+<kbd>F</kbd> / <kbd>Cmd</kbd>+<kbd>F</kbd>).

; Advanced operators do nothing.
: Your wiki might not have Advanced Search/CirrusSearch enabled. Basic search still works; ask an admin if you need the advanced features.

= See also =

* [[Help:Namespaces]] – what they are and how to use them
* [[Help:Categories]] – organizing and finding related pages
* [[Manual:Search]] – admin/technical background (for site maintainers)

Help:Search - Revision history