Search

Find and download files using Nicotine+‘s powerful search features

Nicotine+ provides comprehensive search functionality to help you find files across the Soulseek network. You can perform different types of searches and use advanced query syntax to refine your results.

Search Modes

Nicotine+ supports multiple search modes to find files:

Global Search

Searches across all users on the Soulseek network.

Best for: Finding popular files, discovering new content

Note: Results depend on server availability and network connectivity

Room Search

Searches only users in a specific chat room.

Best for: Finding files from users in a niche community

Usage: Select a room from the dropdown before searching

Buddy Search

Searches only your buddies’ shared files.

Best for: Finding files from trusted sources

Note: Only buddies currently online will be searched

User Search

Searches a specific user’s shares.

Best for: Browsing a particular user’s collection

Usage: Enter username before performing search

Wishlist Search

Automatic periodic searches for desired items.

Best for: Finding rare files over time

Note: Searches run at server-defined intervals

Search Query Syntax

Nicotine+ supports advanced search operators:

Basic Search

flac jazz          - Find files containing both "flac" and "jazz"
"miles davis"      - Search for exact phrase

Excluded Words

flac -live         - Find FLAC files, exclude live recordings
jazz -compilation  - Jazz music, no compilations

Use the minus sign (-) before a word to exclude it from results.

Partial Matching

*trance           - Find files ending in "trance" (e.g., "psytrance")
remix*            - Not supported (must be at the end)

Partial matching with * only works at the beginning of words, not the end.

Combining Operators

"drum and bass" flac -live    - Exact phrase, specific format, exclude live
*techno 320 -compilation      - Partial match, specific bitrate, no compilations

Search Process

1. Enter Search Term

   Type your query using the syntax above. Special characters like !, @, #, etc. are automatically removed.

2. Select Search Mode

   Choose global, room, buddy, or user search based on your needs.

3. Execute Search

   Press Enter or click the Search button. Nicotine+ will:

   • Sanitize your search term
   • Generate a unique search token
   • Send the request to the network
   • Begin collecting results
4. Browse Results

   Results appear in real-time as users respond. You can:

   • Sort by username, file size, speed, queue length
   • Filter results using custom criteria
   • Download individual files or entire folders

Search History

Nicotine+ maintains a history of your recent searches:

Managing Search History

• Automatic saving: Last 200 searches are stored
• Quick access: Use dropdown to repeat previous searches
• Clear history: Disable in preferences or clear manually
• Privacy: Disable history in preferences if desired

Search history is stored locally and never shared with other users.

Wishlist Searches

Wishlist searches run automatically at intervals set by the server:

Adding to Wishlist

1. Create Wishlist Item

   Right-click a search tab and select “Add to Wishlist” or use the wishlist manager.

2. Configure Filters

   Set custom filters for wishlist items:

   • Minimum/maximum file size
   • Bitrate requirements
   • Country restrictions
   • File type filters
   • Free slot requirements
3. Enable Auto-Search

   Toggle automatic searching for each wishlist item. Disabled items remain in the list but don’t search.

Wishlist Features

Custom Filters

Apply advanced filters to wishlist results:

Filter In: Only show results containing specific text

Filter Out: Exclude results with certain text

Size: Minimum and maximum file size limits

Bitrate: Audio quality requirements

Free Slot: Only show users with free upload slots

Country: Geographic restrictions

File Type: Limit to specific extensions

Length: Audio duration requirements

Ignore Users

Block specific users from appearing in wishlist results:

• Right-click a result and select “Ignore”
• Ignored users are saved per wishlist item
• Manage ignored users in wishlist settings

Search Interval

The server determines how often wishlist searches run:

• Typically 90-120 minutes between searches
• Interval displayed in status bar
• One wishlist item searched per interval
• Rotation ensures all items are searched

Search Results Management

Filtering Results

Refine search results using filters:

Filter by:
- File size (min/max)
- Bitrate
- User queue status
- User country
- File extension
- Upload speed
- Free upload slots

Downloading from Results

1. Select Files

   Click individual files or use Ctrl/Shift for multiple selection

2. Choose Download Action

   • Download: Queue selected files
   • Download Folder: Download entire folder containing the file
   • Download All: Queue all results from selected user
3. Monitor Progress

   Downloads appear in the Downloads tab with queue position and status

Search Response Configuration

Control how you respond to search requests from others:

Enable/Disable Responses: Toggle whether you respond to searches

Minimum Characters: Set minimum search term length (default: 3)

Maximum Results: Limit results per search (default: 50)

Response Speed: Balance between thoroughness and performance

Performance Optimization

For faster searches:

• Use specific terms (avoid single common words)
• Combine multiple search terms
• Use excluded words to narrow results
• Search specific rooms instead of global

For more results:

• Use broader terms
• Avoid overly specific phrases
• Search during peak hours
• Try both global and room searches

Excluded Search Phrases

The server may provide a list of prohibited search terms:

Files matching excluded phrases won’t appear in search results, even if they’re in your shares. This is enforced by the server.

Search Statistics

Nicotine+ tracks search activity:

• Number of searches performed
• Searches received from other users
• Results provided to others
• Popular search terms (in logs)

Advanced Features

Word Index

Nicotine+ builds a word index of your shares for fast searching:

How the Word Index Works

1. Tokenization: File and folder names are split into words
2. Normalization: Punctuation removed, converted to lowercase
3. Indexing: Each word mapped to file indices
4. Intersection: Search terms combined using set operations
5. Retrieval: Matching files returned with full metadata

Search Algorithm

When processing search requests:

1. Parse Query

   Split search term into included, excluded, and partial words

2. Index Lookup

   Find all files matching included words using word index

3. Filter Results

   Remove files matching excluded words and apply partial word filters

4. Apply Limits

   Respect maximum results setting and user permissions

5. Return Response

   Send compressed file list to requesting user

Troubleshooting

No Search Results

1. Check network connectivity
2. Verify search term isn’t too specific
3. Try different search modes (global vs. room)
4. Ensure you’re connected to the server
5. Check if search term contains excluded phrases

Slow Search Responses

• Server congestion during peak hours
• Network latency issues
• Large share database (optimize with filters)
• Insufficient system resources

Missing Expected Results

• User may be offline
• Files not shared at appropriate permission level
• Search filters too restrictive
• Files match excluded search phrases
• User has you ignored/blocked