# Search

Search vault content by keyword using Grep.

- Repository: https://github.com/ballred/obsidian-claude-pkm (1886 stars)
- Category: Engineering
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-02-18
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add ballred/obsidian-claude-pkm --skill search -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add ballred/obsidian-claude-pkm --skill search -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add ballred/obsidian-claude-pkm --skill search -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add ballred/obsidian-claude-pkm --skill search -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Search vault content by keyword using Grep. Zero dependencies, works in any vault without indexes or plugins. Groups results by directory for easy scanning.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Search Skill

Fast keyword search across all vault markdown files using the Grep tool. No indexes, no plugins, no setup, just structured search with directory grouping.

## Usage

```
/search <term>
```

Examples:
- `/search project planning`
- `/search weekly review`
- `/search TODO`

## How to Execute

When the user invokes `/search <term>`:

### Step 1: Search for the term

Use the **Grep** tool to search all `.md` files for the term:

```
Grep:
  pattern: <search term>
  glob: "*.md"
  output_mode: content
  -n: true
  -C: 1
```

Exclude hidden directories (`.claude/`, `.obsidian/`) and templates:

```
Grep:
  pattern: <search term>
  glob: "*.md"
  path: .
  output_mode: content
  -n: true
  -C: 1
```

Filter out results from `.claude/`, `.obsidian/`, and `Templates/` directories.

### Step 2: Group results by directory

Organise matches into sections by their parent directory:

- **Daily Notes/**, journal entries
- **Goals/**, goal and vision documents
- **Projects/**, project notes
- **Archives/**, archived content
- **Inbox/**, unprocessed items
- **(root)**, top-level notes

### Step 3: Present results

Format output as:

```markdown
## Search: "<term>"

### Daily Notes/
- **2024-01-15.md** (line 23): ...matching context...
- **2024-01-14.md** (line 8): ...matching context...

### Projects/
- **Project Alpha.md** (line 45): ...matching context...

### Goals/
- **2024 Goals.md** (line 12): ...matching context...

**Found X matches across Y files**
```

### Step 4: Suggest related content

After showing results, check if any matched files contain `[[wiki-links]]` to other notes. If so, briefly mention:

```
💡 Related notes mentioned in results: [[Note A]], [[Note B]]
```

## No Results

If no matches are found:
1. Suggest alternative search terms (synonyms, related words)
2. Offer to search with case-insensitive matching if the original search was case-sensitive
3. Suggest checking `Archives/` if not already included

## Tips

The rest: https://github.com/ballred/obsidian-claude-pkm/blob/HEAD/vault-template/.claude/skills/search/SKILL.md