Global vs list search

⌘K Search Center versus ⌘F list search

Purpose

Starcat has two search entries:

Entry	Default shortcut	Job
Search Center	⌘K	Standalone panel: local Stars, GitHub, and the web
List search	⌘F	Filter only the current Manage / Explore list

Shortcuts are editable in Shortcuts. Dedicated page: Search Center.

Middle-column list search (⌘F) with keyword / semantic toggle

Screenshot TODO · images/screenshots/search/list-search.webp

Keyword list search

Focus the middle search field. Local FTS5 usually covers name, owner, description, topics, and saved private notes.

• Multi-word matching
• Relevance ranking (BM25-style)
• Combines with toolbar filters
• Knowledge-base content supports Chinese infix matching

Unsaved note drafts are not indexed.

Semantic list search (Pro)

Switch to Semantic and describe the library in natural language. Requirements:

1. Pro
2. Embedding configured in Settings → AI
3. Build / refresh the AI index when the UI asks

Scope can be starred / knowledge / all (follow the app). See Semantic search.

Which entry

Situation	Use
Shrink Untagged right now	⌘F + filters
Search local + GitHub + web together	⌘K
”Is there a local RAG library?”	List semantic, or the RAG workspace

Notes

• ⌘F never searches Stars outside the current list.
• Semantic search uses the embedding index. Web search uses External Search providers.

Related

• Search Center
• Filters