> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.samplevault.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Search Syntax

> Token grammar for filtering by tag, genre, creator, pack, category, key, BPM, type, sound profile, and more from the search bar

## Overview

The search bar is your master control. Every filter — tags, genres, creators, sample packs, key, BPM, sample type, favorites, categories, collections, sort order, sound profile characteristics — can be expressed as a typed token. Tokens render as colored chips inside the input. Combine them freely with each other and with plain text.

You don't need to memorize the syntax. Start typing and the [smart suggestions dropdown](#smart-suggestions) shows the right token automatically — picking a suggestion inserts it for you.

## Tokens

Most dimensions have a short single-character prefix (the high-frequency ones, optimised for typing speed) and a long-form `field:value` alternative (self-documenting, autocomplete-driven).

| Dimension                          | Short prefix    | Long form              | Example                           |
| ---------------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| Tag                                | `%bass`         | `tag:bass`             | `%dark` `%"sci fi"`               |
| Genre                              | `$dnb`          | `genre:dnb`            | `$techno` `$"drum and bass"`      |
| Tempo                              | `#120`          | `bpm:120`              | `#90-140` `#100-` `#-130`         |
| Key + scale                        | `@Cmin`         | `key:Cmin`             | `@C` `@Cmaj` `@F#min`             |
| Sample type                        | `!loop`         | `type:loop`, `is:loop` | `!loop` `!oneshot` `is:oneshot`   |
| Favorite                           | `*`             | `is:favorite`          | `*`                               |
| Creator                            | `&adam`         | `creator:adam`         | `&"Adam Smith"`                   |
| Sample pack                        | `+cymatics`     | `pack:cymatics`        | `+"Cymatics Hyperbits"`           |
| Category (virtual directory)       | —               | `category:drums/kicks` | `category:bass`                   |
| Collection                         | —               | `collection:wip`       | `collection:"Work in Progress"`   |
| Sort order                         | —               | `sort:newest`          | `sort:tempo-asc` `sort:relevance` |
| Sound profile (16 characteristics) | —               | `attack:30-80` etc.    | `bright:50-100` `stereo:80-100`   |
| Plain text                         | (anything else) | —                      | `punchy kick`                     |

Multi-word values use double quotes: `%"drum and bass"`, `&"Adam Smith"`, `collection:"Work in Progress"`.

### Sound profile aliases

The 16 sound profile characteristics each accept a short alias and the canonical name. Values are percent ranges from 0 to 100.

| Alias                     | Full name         | Example           |
| ------------------------- | ----------------- | ----------------- |
| `attack` / `atk`          | Attack            | `atk:30-80`       |
| `bright` / `brightness`   | Brightness        | `bright:0-50`     |
| `bass`                    | Bass content      | `bass:60-100`     |
| `sub` / `subbass`         | Sub bass          | `sub:50-`         |
| `mids`                    | Mids              | `mids:40-70`      |
| `highs`                   | Highs             | `highs:60-100`    |
| `lomids` / `lowmids`      | Low mids          | `lomids:30-60`    |
| `stereo`                  | Stereo width      | `stereo:80-100`   |
| `perc` / `percussiveness` | Percussiveness    | `perc:50-100`     |
| `dyn` / `dynamic`         | Dynamic range     | `dyn:30-80`       |
| `pitch`                   | Pitch stability   | `pitch:60-100`    |
| `rhythm`                  | Rhythmic density  | `rhythm:50-`      |
| `tonality`                | Tonality          | `tonality:70-100` |
| `noise`                   | Noise             | `noise:0-30`      |
| `complexity`              | Complexity        | `complexity:60-`  |
| `temporal`                | Temporal centroid | `temporal:30-70`  |

Range syntax matches BPM: `atk:30-80` (between), `atk:30-` (at least), `atk:-80` (at most), `atk:50` (exact).

## Stacking tokens

Tokens stack freely with each other and with plain text:

```
#120-130 @Cmin !loop %dark $techno &adam atk:50-100 punchy kick
```

This finds 120–130 BPM loops in C minor, tagged "dark", genre techno, by creator "adam", with attack at 50–100%, with the keyword "punchy kick" in the filename.

## Smart suggestions

Type two characters and a suggestion dropdown opens with matching values grouped by dimension — sample type (loop / one-shot), categories from your library folders, tags, genres, creators, sample packs, collections, plus a **Filters** section that suggests field shortcuts (`creator:`, `pack:`, `collection:`, etc.) when you start typing one. So `loop` or `one-shot` will offer the matching type filter, and a folder name like `kick` or `drums` will offer the matching category — no need to know the prefix syntax.

Once you've committed to a dimension by typing its prefix or field, the dropdown narrows to that dimension and shows results immediately (no two-character gate inside an explicit token):

* `%dr` — only tags matching "dr"
* `&` — top creators by sample count, no prefix needed
* `category:` — full category list

**Keyboard:**

| Key       | Action                                                                 |
| --------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `↓` / `↑` | Move highlight                                                         |
| `Tab`     | Autocomplete the highlighted suggestion                                |
| `Enter`   | Apply highlighted suggestion, or run the search if none is highlighted |
| `Esc`     | Close the dropdown without applying                                    |

## Removing chips

Selected filters live as colored chips inside the search bar. **Click any chip to remove it** — hovering previews the removal with a red strike-through and × icon. To clear everything at once, click the **×** button on the right side of the input.

## How tokens and text work together

Tokens are always **hard filters** — they narrow the result set exactly, whatever else you type. The remaining **plain text** drives the search: it's matched against filenames *and* against how each sample sounds at the same time, with the closest matches ranked first. Filters apply live as you type.

This is the way to combine a description with technical constraints: `dark atmospheric pad #120 @Cmin` locks results to 120 BPM in C minor while the words find the vibe.

<Tip>
  The same token grammar powers [Quick Actions](/core-features/quick-actions) — anything you learn here works in the floating command palette too.
</Tip>