Can not find "System files"

[JiabaoGao]

Alfred version: 5.1.2[2145]

Mac OS version: macOS Ventura 13.2.1

 

Hi: 

I want to use Alfred to search a file named "espanso" locate at "/Users/gaojiabao/Library/Application Support".

When I search in Alfred, I can't get the results I want:

 

 

When I search in finder with default options get same results:

 

 

 

When I search in finder with including "System files", I get the results I want:

 

 

I tried troubleshooting, It said Troubleshooting passed:

 

Starting Diagnostics...

File: 'espanso'
Path: '/Users/gaojiabao/Library/Application Support'

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file cache database...

✅ File cache integrity is ok

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if file is readable...

✅ Alfred has permissions to read this file.

Unix Permissions: 493
Underlying Type: NSFileTypeDirectory
Extended Attributes: (
)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check if volume '/' is indexed by macOS...

✅ Indexing is enabled on this drive

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check direct file metadata...

✅ Direct metadata available

Display Name: espanso
 Other Names: 
Content Type: public.folder
   Last Used: 2023-09-15 07:40:38 +0000

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check mdls file metadata...

✅ Metadata contains required items

_kMDItemDisplayNameWithExtensions  = "espanso"
kMDItemContentCreationDate         = 2023-05-16 16:05:04 +0000
kMDItemContentCreationDate_Ranking = 2023-05-16 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemContentModificationDate     = 2023-05-16 16:11:47 +0000
kMDItemContentType                 = "public.folder"
kMDItemContentTypeTree             = (
    "public.folder",
    "public.directory",
    "public.item"
)
kMDItemDateAdded                   = 2023-05-16 16:05:04 +0000
kMDItemDisplayName                 = "espanso"
kMDItemDocumentIdentifier          = 0
kMDItemFSContentChangeDate         = 2023-05-16 16:11:47 +0000
kMDItemFSCreationDate              = 2023-05-16 16:05:04 +0000
kMDItemFSCreatorCode               = ""
kMDItemFSFinderFlags               = 0
kMDItemFSHasCustomIcon             = (null)
kMDItemFSInvisible                 = 0
kMDItemFSIsExtensionHidden         = 0
kMDItemFSIsStationery              = (null)
kMDItemFSLabel                     = 0
kMDItemFSName                      = "espanso"
kMDItemFSNodeCount                 = 3
kMDItemFSOwnerGroupID              = 20
kMDItemFSOwnerUserID               = 501
kMDItemFSSize                      = (null)
kMDItemFSTypeCode                  = ""
kMDItemInterestingDate_Ranking     = 2023-09-15 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemKind                        = "Folder"
kMDItemLastUsedDate                = 2023-09-15 07:40:38 +0000
kMDItemLastUsedDate_Ranking        = 2023-09-15 00:00:00 +0000
kMDItemSupportFileType             = (
    MDSystemFile
)
kMDItemUseCount                    = 23
kMDItemUsedDates                   = (
    "2023-05-16 16:00:00 +0000",
    "2023-07-19 16:00:00 +0000",
    "2023-07-26 16:00:00 +0000",
    "2023-08-29 16:00:00 +0000",
    "2023-08-30 16:00:00 +0000",
    "2023-09-03 16:00:00 +0000",
    "2023-09-14 16:00:00 +0000"
)

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check file is in search scope...

✅ File exists within Alfred's default search scope

-----------------------------------------------------------

Check MDQuery file search...

✅ macOS returned a match for this file in your search scope.

File Search Results for search scope (
    "[0] /System/Volumes/Data/Users/gaojiabao/Library/Application Support/espanso"
)

File Search Results for ~/ (
    "[0] /System/Volumes/Data/Users/gaojiabao/Library/Application Support/espanso"
)

File Search Results for / (
    "[0] /System/Volumes/Data/Users/gaojiabao/Library/Application Support/espanso"
)

-----------------------------------------------------------

✅ Troubleshooting passed
 

 

Also tried to change File Search settings in Alfred, still not working.

I have tried for many hours, still can't fix it, Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Edited September 27, 2023 by JiabaoGao

[Andrew]

@JiabaoGao Alfred doesn't show system files by default as this adds a significant amount of noise to the default results.

 

It is however possible if you have a Powerpack with a simple Workflow. If you could fill in your Powerpack address in the forum profile (Only visible internally), then I'll share a simple workflow to achieve what you're looking for

 

Cheers,

Andrew

[JiabaoGao]

@Andrew Hi Andrew, I have a Powerpack license, and I just filled my Powerpack email address in my forum profile.
Please share the workflow, thank you 

[Vero]

@JiabaoGao I've created a workflow that will help you search for certain files within the ~/Library/ folder.

 

First, I'd recommend returning your search settings to a more normal configuration, and unchecking the Unintelligent Search box.

 

You can download the workflow here:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ws3f30s2q0fz3isnbi5va/File-Search-including-System-Files.alfredworkflow?rlkey=a389nnqqhiib40rmcmj3m7wyf&dl=0

 

Use the keyword "sys" followed by the name of a file you want to search for. Note that this may still not find all files, as macOS doesn't include all files from locations like the Library in the index it provides.

 

For these, your best bet is to search for the enclosing folder, then use the right arrow and browse the folder in Alfred. You'll then be able to filter within that folder specifically.

[JiabaoGao]

@Vero Hi, vero, thanks for reply.

I downloaded the workflow, but it seems that I can't achieve the effect I want.

 

I can quickly search for "~/Library/Application Support/espanso" in finder with "System files" included, so I think it might be in the macOS index.

What I want is to do this in Alfred exactly the same effect as enabling "System files" included in finder, because opening finder, entering search text, and then selecting "System files" included is very inefficient.

 

 

 

Quote

For these, your best bet is to search for the enclosing folder, then use the right arrow and browse the folder in Alfred. You'll then be able to filter within that folder specifically.

In my work scenario, sometimes I need to search for a folder or file that I don't know where it is.  I'm new to macOS, and I've used a software called Listary on Windows before that directly searched all files on my hard drive, which is what I want. I was wondering if I could achieve the same effect on Alfred.

 

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by JiabaoGao

[RasmusMalver]

Hello

 

I'm new to Alfred, and immediately had this problem. I've bought the PowerPack, and I'm able to install the workflow. But then I have to start my search with a keyword.

 

Question:

Is it possible to include the extension in default searches, or just allow Alfred to search for, files in folders like `~/Library/Application Support/`?