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FilePulseVersion 2.18.0
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FilePulse Use Cases

Before you begin

Make sure FilePulse is running and the file index is ready

Sign in to the FilePulse interface first. File-name workflows work with the main index; content and visual search require their own rules and indexes, which are explained in those guides.

Largest items

Find the largest files and folders

See what is consuming storage, from an entire drive down to one folder.

Best for
Cleaning a full disk or identifying a directory that has grown unexpectedly.
Start here
Search

Before you start

  • Wait until FilePulse has completed its initial file index.
  • Use the Path field if you only want to inspect one drive or directory.

Steps

  1. 1Open Search and enter “*” in Search Content so every item in the selected scope can match.
  2. 2Open Advanced Options, set Mode to Wildcard, Kind to Folder, Sort By to Size, and turn Sort Ascending off so its state reads Descending.
  3. 3If needed, enter a drive or directory in Path to narrow the scope.
  4. 4Read the first rows as the largest folders in that scope.
  5. 5Change Kind to File and keep the same size-descending order to repeat the check for individual files.

What you should see

The largest folder or file appears first. FilePulse maintains recursive folder sizes, so a folder value includes the files below it.

If something looks wrong

  • If the list looks empty, confirm that the search box contains “*” rather than being blank.
  • Run the folder and file checks separately so their sizes are easier to compare.

Precise filters

Find recent large files inside a specific directory

Combine path, extension, size, and time filters instead of browsing folders manually.

Best for
Finding PDFs larger than 10 MB that were recently changed inside a project directory.
Start here
Search → Advanced Options

Before you start

  • Know the directory you want to inspect and the approximate date range.
  • Use “*” when the filename does not matter; use a filename keyword when it does.

Steps

  1. 1Open Search, enter “*” in Search Content, and enter the project directory in Path.
  2. 2Open Advanced Options, set Mode to Wildcard, and set Kind to File.
  3. 3Under Extensions, choose Custom and enter pdf.
  4. 4Enter 10 and choose MB under Size From, then set the required Modified From date.
  5. 5Set Sort By to Modified and turn Sort Ascending off so its state reads Descending.

What you should see

The result list contains only recent PDF files over 10 MB from the selected directory, ordered newest first.

If something looks wrong

  • Replace “*” with part of a filename when you also know its name.
  • Remove one filter at a time if the result is empty; the date or path is usually the narrowest condition.

Text inside files

Search for text inside documents

Find a phrase inside documents, source files, PDFs, and other indexed formats.

Best for
You remember a sentence or identifier but not the filename that contains it.
Start here
Settings → Content Rules; then Content Search

Before you start

  • In Settings → Content Rules, click Add Rule and configure the extensions and directory scope.
  • Click Update Content Rules, wait for processing to finish, then confirm Files with searchable content is greater than zero.

Steps

  1. 1Open Content Search after the content index is ready.
  2. 2Enter the word or phrase you remember in the search box.
  3. 3Open Advanced Options, set Mode to Regular, and turn Snippet on so surrounding text is returned.
  4. 4Review the highlighted Snippet column, then use Preview or Open to confirm the full context.
  5. 5Save a useful query as a preset if you expect to repeat it.

What you should see

Matches show the source file and a nearby text snippet, letting you verify the result before opening the document.

If something looks wrong

  • If FilePulse reports zero searchable files, revisit Content Rules and check the extension, directory scope, and update status.
  • OCR-based text becomes searchable only when the corresponding OCR handler is included in the content rules.

Visual search

Find similar images or matching video segments

Use an image, screenshot, or video as the query instead of guessing a filename.

Best for
Locating the source of a screenshot, a similar image, or the moment a frame appears in a video.
Start here
Settings → Visual Index Rules; then Visual Search

Before you start

  • Under Visual Index Rules, click Add Visual Rule and configure the file scope, then click Update Visual Rules.
  • Wait for indexing to finish and confirm Files ready for visual search is greater than zero.
  • Video indexing and video queries require FFmpeg in PATH; image search works without it.

Steps

  1. 1Open Visual Search and use Drop an image or video here, or paste a screenshot or image.
  2. 2Use Drive Scope to choose the local or remote drive scope you want to search.
  3. 3Open Advanced Options and set Search Preset to High Speed for the first attempt.
  4. 4Click Search and inspect thumbnails, Match Strength, paths, and any Target Segment values.
  5. 5Switch to High Accuracy when the fast result is too broad or misses a likely match.

What you should see

FilePulse returns visually related images or video segments and shows where each candidate is stored.

If something looks wrong

  • If no files are ready, check the visual-rule scope and rebuild the visual index.
  • If only video search is unavailable, verify that the ffmpeg command works from the system terminal.

Duplicate files

Find duplicate files without deleting the wrong copy

Limit the scan first, verify every group, and only then clean up redundant files.

Best for
Reviewing duplicate downloads, media, backups, or project exports before reclaiming space.
Start here
Duplicates → Select Range

Before you start

  • Choose a manageable directory or file type for the first scan.
  • Keep a backup when reviewing files that cannot be recreated.

Steps

  1. 1Open Duplicates and click Select Range.
  2. 2In the embedded Search, enter “*”, narrow by Path, Kind, or Size From, then click Use Range.
  3. 3Turn Fast Duplicate off when confidence matters more than speed; leave it on for a faster first pass.
  4. 4Click Scan Duplicates, expand each duplicate group, and use Preview or Show in Folder before making a decision.
  5. 5Handle the real files manually only after confirming which copy should remain.

What you should see

Files with matching size and signatures are grouped together so each copy can be reviewed in context.

If something looks wrong

  • Fast Duplicate has a very small chance of grouping different content together; disable it for the safest comparison.
  • Clear Selected and Clear Group only remove rows from the result list. They do not delete files from disk.

Quick launch

Open frequently used targets with the Quick Launcher

Reach an application, folder, or file by typing only part of its name.

Best for
Opening common tools and working folders without navigating through the file manager.
Start here
Quick Launcher

Before you start

  • Make sure the target is inside a location indexed by FilePulse.
  • A global hotkey is optional and can be configured later in Settings.

Steps

  1. 1Open Quick Launcher from the FilePulse top navigation.
  2. 2Type part of an application, folder, or filename.
  3. 3Change Kind to Folder or File when too many result types are mixed together.
  4. 4Double-click the best match to open it.
  5. 5If you use the launcher often, configure your preferred global hotkey in Settings rather than relying on an assumed default.

What you should see

The target opens directly, and frequently used results become quicker to reach through the launcher workflow.

If something looks wrong

  • Use a more distinctive part of the name if several targets look similar.
  • If a target never appears, confirm that its location is included in the FilePulse index.

Preview before opening

Preview a file without launching another application

Read a result beside the list and keep your search context intact.

Best for
Checking several similarly named documents, images, media files, or archives before opening the right one.
Start here
Search → Preview View

Before you start

  • Run a Search that returns the files you want to compare.
  • Preview support depends on the file format and the available FilePulse preview handler.

Steps

  1. 1Open Search, enter a filename keyword or “*”, and wait for results.
  2. 2Turn Preview View on beside the Path controls.
  3. 3Click one file result; the preview panel appears beside the result list.
  4. 4Click other rows to compare content without losing the current query.
  5. 5For a separate preview window, right-click a result and choose Preview.

What you should see

The selected file can be inspected while the result list, filters, and scroll position remain visible.

If something looks wrong

  • Preview View requires a selected file result; a folder row may show a format-specific notice instead.
  • If the format cannot be rendered, use Open or Show in Folder from the result menu.

Pinyin filename search

Find Chinese filenames with pinyin or initials

Search Chinese names without switching the input method or typing every character.

Best for
Finding a file such as “项目计划” by typing its pinyin or first-letter abbreviation.
Start here
Search → Advanced Options → Content Plugin

Before you start

  • The target filename must already be present in the main FilePulse index.
  • Decide whether you know the full pinyin or only the initials.

Steps

  1. 1Open Search and type the pinyin text you remember in Search Content.
  2. 2Open Advanced Options and find Content Plugin.
  3. 3Select Pinyin for a full-pinyin query, or Pinyin First Letter for an abbreviation.
  4. 4Keep Search By set to Name when you only want to match the filename.
  5. 5Review the result list and double-click the target to open it.

What you should see

Chinese filenames matching the selected pinyin method appear without requiring the original Chinese characters.

If something looks wrong

  • Try Pinyin First Letter when a full-pinyin query is too long or uncertain.
  • Use a longer, more distinctive query when many Chinese filenames share the same initials.

Reusable search presets

Save a complex search and reuse it in one click

Keep path, type, size, date, sorting, and other search settings together.

Best for
Repeatedly checking the same project folder, large-file rule, or content-search condition.
Start here
Search → Search Presets

Before you start

  • Configure and test the query once so its results are correct.
  • Search Presets are available in Search, Content Search, and Quick Launcher.

Steps

  1. 1Configure the search fields and Advanced Options you want to reuse.
  2. 2Click the Search Presets icon beside Search Content.
  3. 3Click Save Current, enter a Name in Save Preset, then click Save.
  4. 4Next time, open Search Presets and click the preset name to apply it.
  5. 5Use the item menu and Set Default if this should load automatically for that page.

What you should see

The saved preset restores the search parameters without rebuilding the query field by field.

If something looks wrong

  • Use Overwrite after adjusting an existing preset instead of creating near-duplicates.
  • Manage also provides Rename, Delete, Import, and Export for maintaining a larger preset library.

Search the active folder

Search directly inside the folder you are currently viewing

Let FilePulse detect the active file-manager context and limit results to that location.

Best for
You are already inside a folder in Explorer, Finder, or a supported Linux file manager and need a faster filtered search.
Start here
Context Search

Before you start

  • Open the target folder in a supported file manager and make that window active before entering FilePulse.
  • Support differs by platform: Windows uses Explorer, macOS uses Finder, and Linux requires a supported manager exposed through AT-SPI.

Steps

  1. 1Open Context Search and confirm Current Scope shows the folder you intended.
  2. 2Type a keyword in Search inside this folder.
  3. 3Use Kind to choose Folder, File, or both; enable Current folder only when subfolders should be excluded.
  4. 4Optionally enable Pinyin or Pinyin First Letter for Chinese filenames.
  5. 5Double-click the matching result to open it.

What you should see

Results stay limited to the detected Current Scope, so no Path needs to be copied into Search manually.

If something looks wrong

  • If the wrong folder is detected, reactivate the file-manager window and reopen Context Search.
  • File-dialog switching support varies by operating system; follow the message shown by FilePulse when the active window is unsupported.

Share a folder

Give another user controlled access to a local folder

Create a password-protected share with its own URL and choose read-only or read/write access.

Best for
You want a teammate or another device to browse or transfer files without exposing every indexed directory.
Start here
Settings → Share

Before you start

  • Choose an existing Local Path and decide whether the recipient only needs to read files or may also modify them.
  • Prepare a unique username, password, and Share Name. New users must have a password.

Steps

  1. 1Open Settings, find Share, and turn Enable Share on.
  2. 2Keep or change Share Path, then click Add User and enter the share username and password.
  3. 3Click Add Share, enter a unique Share Name, and enter the exact Local Path to expose.
  4. 4Set the permission switch to Read Only for browsing and downloading, or Read/Write only when changes are required.
  5. 5Copy the generated link, click Save Share Settings, enter the current FilePulse password, and restart when prompted.
  6. 6Open the copied link from the other device and sign in with the share user credentials.

What you should see

The recipient can access only the configured share through its generated URL and assigned permission level.

If something looks wrong

  • Prefer Read Only unless the recipient genuinely needs to change files.
  • Share settings take effect after restart. Do not expose the service directly to the public internet without appropriate network access controls and HTTPS.

Folder Sync

Keep a local folder paired with a folder on another FilePulse device

Define local sync folders, pair them with remote folders, run synchronization, and review conflicts.

Best for
The same working folder should stay available on two FilePulse devices without copying files manually.
Start here
Settings → Folder Sync

Before you start

  • Configure the required folder under Local Sync Folders on both devices and save the settings.
  • Add the other device under Remote Servers and make sure it is Online before creating a pair. Saving sync settings requires the current FilePulse password.

Steps

  1. 1In Folder Sync, click Add Folder under Local Sync Folders, enter Folder Name and Local Path, and leave it Enabled.
  2. 2Click Save Sync Settings so the folder becomes available to local and remote pair selectors.
  3. 3Under Folder Pairs, click Add Pair and select Local Folder, Remote Server, and Remote Folder.
  4. 4If the remote folder is missing, click Refresh Remote Roots and select it again.
  5. 5Leave the pair Enabled, click Save Sync Settings, then click Sync Now.
  6. 6Watch Syncing... and Last sync, then review Conflict Records before clearing any entries.

What you should see

The paired folders synchronize, the last-run status is recorded, and concurrent changes are preserved as conflict copies for review.

If something looks wrong

  • This is two-way synchronization, not a one-way backup: deletions can propagate to the other device. Test with a small non-critical folder and back up important data first.
  • Clear Conflicts removes only the conflict records, not conflict-copy files on disk. Inspect each Conflict Copy before clearing the list.

Mount a remote server

Search files indexed by another FilePulse server

Add an online remote server, mount it, and include its indexed files in FilePulse searches.

Best for
You need one FilePulse instance to search files maintained by another server without copying its index manually.
Start here
Settings → Remote Servers; then Settings → Mount Servers

Before you start

  • Add the target under Remote Servers with the correct Server Name, Base URL, Protocol, Username, and Password.
  • Confirm the server is Online. Offline servers cannot be mounted, and remote-server mounting is unavailable on the Free plan.

Steps

  1. 1Open Mount Servers and click Mount.
  2. 2Select the online Server Name in the Mount Servers dialog.
  3. 3Enable Auto Mount if FilePulse should restore this mount automatically later.
  4. 4For a simple mount, set Monitor to False. If Monitor is True, also enter Callback URL and select Protocol.
  5. 5Click Confirm and wait for the server to appear with Mount Status set to Mounted.
  6. 6Return to Search, open Drives, and select the required remote drive under the remote-server group.

What you should see

The remote server becomes an available search target, and its current Mount Status is visible in Settings.

If something looks wrong

  • This mounts another FilePulse index; it is not an operating-system WebDAV or SMB drive. Mounted remote results are read-only for features such as pinned items and groups.
  • Use Unmount before removing a mounted server. Recent Servers stores connection details, including the password, in browser local storage, so use it only on a trusted device.

AI Chat

Ask an AI model to analyze FilePulse search or file context

Configure an LLM profile, start a session, and continue analysis with text or an optional image.

Best for
You want summaries, comparisons, risks, or next steps based on files and search results already found in FilePulse.
Start here
Settings → LLM Profiles; then AI Chat

Before you start

  • Under LLM Profiles, click + ChatGPT, + Claude, or + Ollama, then fill in Profile Name, API Base URL, Model, and Token as required.
  • Run Test Connection and click Save LLM Profiles. Enable Vision only for a profile whose model supports images.

Steps

  1. 1For a result set, click AI Analyze Search Results at the bottom of Search; for one non-folder result, right-click it and choose AI Analyze Whole File.
  2. 2Alternatively, open AI Chat and click New Session.
  3. 3Choose the required profile in Select LLM profile; use Reload Config if you just changed Settings.
  4. 4Type a question and click Send, or press Ctrl+Enter. To analyze an image, click Upload Image first.
  5. 5Continue in the same session, or use Rename Session to give it a useful title.
  6. 6Use Stop when a streaming answer is no longer needed.

What you should see

The selected model returns a streamed answer and the conversation remains available in the session list.

If something looks wrong

  • Review the prepared context and model answer before acting; an AI response can still be incomplete or incorrect.
  • Tokens and file context may be sent to the configured model provider. Use a provider and privacy policy appropriate for the data.

Launcher Panel

Build a visual launch board for frequently used files, folders, and applications

Organize launch items into groups, filter them, and drag them into the order that matches your workflow.

Best for
You repeatedly open the same collection of project folders, documents, tools, or applications and want a stable visual dashboard.
Start here
Launcher Panel

Before you start

  • Know the full path of each item you want to add.
  • Create a simple group plan such as Work, Tools, or Current Project before adding many items.

Steps

  1. 1Open Launcher Panel and click Add Item.
  2. 2In Manual Input, enter the full File Path, choose Target Group, and click Confirm.
  3. 3Click Edit Mode, then click Add Group to create another group when needed.
  4. 4While editing, drag items to reorder them; with All Groups selected, items can also be dragged between groups.
  5. 5Click Exit Edit, then double-click an item to open it.
  6. 6Use Search launcher items... or Select group to filter a larger board.

What you should see

Frequently used targets stay arranged by group and can be opened directly with a double-click.

If something looks wrong

  • Right-click an item for Open, Show in Folder, Preview, or Copy Path.
  • Remove, Delete Group, and Clear All delete launcher configuration only, not disk files. However, Cut is a real file clipboard operation and a later paste can move the file.

Pinned items and groups

Keep important local results at the top and organize them into groups

Enable the feature globally, confirm each result page’s display settings, then persistently pin and group local files.

Best for
The same important local files appear in Search, Content Search, or Quick Launcher and should remain easy to recognize and prioritize.
Start here
Settings → Search Experience; then Search, Content Search, or Quick Launcher

Before you start

  • First open Settings → Search Experience and make sure Enable Pinned Items and Groups is on. This is the global master switch; when it is off, result-page controls and context-menu actions are unavailable.
  • If you need groups, click Manage Pinned Items and Groups, click Create Group, enter Group Name and Group Color, then click Save Group.

Steps

  1. 1Open Search, Content Search, or Quick Launcher and run a query that returns the required local file.
  2. 2Below that page’s result table, click Display Settings. Turn Pin Priority on to sort pinned matches first, and turn Use Groups on to make the Group column available.
  3. 3Check Display Settings separately on every page you use: Search, Content Search, and Quick Launcher store these two preferences independently.
  4. 4Right-click the local result and choose Pin. The result refreshes and shows Pinned when Pin Priority is enabled.
  5. 5To categorize it, right-click the result, choose Assign Group, select a previously created group, and click Confirm.
  6. 6Repeat the same actions for other local results. The saved annotation follows the file into supported result pages rather than belonging only to the current query.

What you should see

Pinned local items can be prioritized in later searches, and assigned groups appear with their configured names and colors.

If something looks wrong

  • To clear a mark, right-click the result and choose Unpin or Clear Group. You can also use Manage Pinned Items and Groups to turn Pinned off or clear Assigned Group for multiple stored entries.
  • Turning Pin Priority or Use Groups off only changes that page’s sorting or display. Turning the global master switch off disables the feature but does not delete saved annotations. Deleting a group clears it from related entries; none of these actions deletes disk files. Remote mounted results remain read-only.

Export search results

Export every result from the current search to a TSV file

Save the complete filtered result set for spreadsheets, inventories, audits, or offline review.

Best for
You need to hand off a file inventory or analyze FilePulse results in Excel or another tabular tool.
Start here
Search → result footer → Export

Before you start

  • Run the required search and verify its filters, sorting, scope, and total result count.
  • Make sure the destination has enough free space for a large export.

Steps

  1. 1Run Search and inspect several rows to confirm that the result set is correct.
  2. 2At the bottom-left of the results, click Export.
  3. 3Watch the progress indicator while FilePulse retrieves all matching results in batches.
  4. 4Click Cancel if the current export should stop.
  5. 5After Export successful appears, open the generated search_results timestamped TSV file.
  6. 6Import the TSV into a spreadsheet as tab-separated data when column detection is not automatic.

What you should see

The TSV contains all matching results—not only the visible page—with Name, Server, Extension, Full Path, Size, and Modified columns.

If something looks wrong

  • The export follows the active search filters and sorting, so confirm them before starting.
  • Full Path can reveal local directory names. Treat exported files as potentially sensitive when sharing them.

Icon view

Browse search results as icons and visual thumbnails

Switch from the dense result table to an adjustable visual grid for image-heavy or mixed folders.

Best for
Names alone are not enough to distinguish images, videos, documents, or archives quickly.
Start here
Search → result footer → Display Settings

Before you start

  • Run a search that returns files suitable for visual browsing.
  • Thumbnail availability depends on file type and the corresponding preview or thumbnail handler.

Steps

  1. 1At the bottom of Search results, click Display Settings.
  2. 2Under Display, find View Mode and select Icons instead of List.
  3. 3Turn Show Thumbnails on to replace generic file icons where thumbnails are available.
  4. 4Choose which thumbnail groups participate: Folders, Images, Videos, Documents, Archives, or Text/Code.
  5. 5Adjust Icon Size until names and previews are comfortable to scan.
  6. 6Click a tile to select it, or double-click it to open the target as usual.

What you should see

The same search results appear in a visual grid, using thumbnails where supported and the selected icon size.

If something looks wrong

  • Disable thumbnail groups you do not need when browsing a very large mixed result set.
  • Switch View Mode back to List whenever exact columns, sorting details, or dense comparison matter more than previews.

Search History

Reuse a recent query with Search History

Restore the query and its saved conditions instead of rebuilding the same search field by field.

Best for
You regularly repeat a filename, document-content, or launcher search and want to return to the last useful result set quickly.
Start here
Search, Content Search, or Quick Launcher → clock button beside Search Content

Before you start

  • Run a query that returns at least one result; searches without results are not recorded.
  • Search, Content Search, and Quick Launcher keep separate history lists.

Steps

  1. 1Open Search, Content Search, or Quick Launcher and run the query you want FilePulse to remember.
  2. 2Leave the successful result visible for about one second so FilePulse can add it to the history list.
  3. 3Click the clock-shaped button beside Search Content to open Search History.
  4. 4Use the Keyword, Results, and Time columns to identify the required record, then click that row.
  5. 5Confirm that Search Content and the saved search conditions have been restored, and review the refreshed results.
  6. 6Click the close icon on one row to remove only that record, or click Clear to empty the current page’s history list.

What you should see

The selected query and its stored parameters are reapplied. A repeated keyword is moved to the top with its latest result count and time rather than creating another identical entry.

If something looks wrong

  • The clock button is disabled when the current page has no recorded searches. Run a search with results first and wait briefly.
  • Each page keeps up to 50 entries in browser local storage. Clearing Search History removes saved query records only; it does not delete files or search indexes.

Multi-tab workspace

Keep parallel search tasks in a multi-tab workspace

Give each query its own tab so you can compare tasks without repeatedly replacing the current search.

Best for
You need to keep several Search, Content Search, Visual Search, or Quick Launcher tasks open and switch between them.
Start here
Right-click a supported top-navigation item → New tab

Before you start

  • Use Search, Content Search, Visual Search, or Quick Launcher; these are the pages that support multiple tabs.
  • To retain results, paging, and wheel position when leaving a search page, keep Settings → Search Experience → Keep search tab state enabled.

Steps

  1. 1Right-click Search, Content Search, Visual Search, or Quick Launcher in the top navigation.
  2. 2Click New tab. FilePulse opens a new page such as Search 2 and shows the tab bar above the page.
  3. 3Set up and run a different task in the new tab; the Default tab remains available as the original workspace.
  4. 4Click the plus button at the right end of the tab bar to create another tab of the same page type when needed.
  5. 5Click a tab name to switch tasks. Use Open default page from the navigation item’s right-click menu when you want to return directly to Default.
  6. 6Click the close icon on an extra tab when that task is finished; Default cannot be closed.

What you should see

Each open tab keeps an independent page instance, letting you move between parallel tasks without overwriting the query in another tab.

If something looks wrong

  • Multi-tab workspaces are separate for Search, Content Search, Visual Search, and Quick Launcher; creating a Search tab does not add a Content Search tab.
  • Extra tabs belong to the current FilePulse session. Keep search tab state preserves page state while navigating, but it does not promise that extra tabs will return after FilePulse restarts.

Keep going

Download FilePulse or view the guide

Download FilePulse Open User Guide