Filesystem Searching with Clapgrep and Recoll
Search Party
© Lead Image © damedeeso, 123RF.com
Clapgrep and Recoll edge out grep for filesystem searches thanks to straightforward graphical user interfaces.
When it comes to searching on Linux, there are various options available to users. The two main players in search operations for, and inside, files are the find [1] and grep [2] command-line tools. While find searches for file name, age, size, and more, grep, which was developed by Unix co-developer Ken Thompson, is a specialist tool that focuses on processing data streams and pattern searching. Regular expressions (regexes) are often used as search patterns. Of course, not everyone is enthralled with the idea of zapping their brain with regexes, which prompted this article on Clapgrep, a variant of grep that has an easily accessible graphical user interface (GUI).
Clapgrep, which only saw the light of day at the start of 2025, has not yet made its way into most distribution archives, although it is available in the Arch Linux AUR. Clapgrep is also available as a Flatpak on Flathub [3]. Clapgrep's source code, which is licensed under GPLv3, is also available on GitHub [4]. However, you will need a very recent platform, such as Fedora Rawhide, to build the application from the source code, making the Flatpak option the approach of choice for the majority of users.
Searching with Clapgrep
Imagine you have a directory with hundreds or even thousands of files. You know that it contains some information that you need, but you have no idea which file the information is hiding in, not to mention which line. This is a typical case for grep or its derivative Ripgrep [5].
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux kernel Developers Considering a Kill Switch
With the rise of Linux vulnerabilities, the kernel developers are now considering adding a component that could help temporarily mitigate against them… in the form of a kill switch.
-
Fedora 44 Now Gaming Ready
The latest version of Fedora has been released with gaming support.
-
Manjaro 26.1 Preview Unveils New Features
The latest Manjaro 26.1 preview has been released with new desktop versions, a new kernel, and more.
-
Microsoft Issues Warning About Linux Vulnerability
The company behind Windows has released information about a flaw that affects millions of Linux systems.
-
Is AI Coming to Your Ubuntu Desktop?
According to the VP of Engineering at Canonical, AI could soon be added to the Ubuntu desktop distribution.
-
Framework Laptop 13 Pro Competes with the Best
Framework has released what might be considered the MacBook of Linux devices.
-
The Latest CachyOS Features Supercharged Kernel
The latest release of CachyOS brings with it an enhanced version of the latest Linux kernel.
-
Kernel 7.0 Is a Bit More Rusty
Linux kernel 7.0 has been released for general availability, with Rust finally getting its due.
-
France Says "Au Revoir" to Microsoft
In a move that should surprise no one, France announced plans to reduce its reliance on US technology, and Microsoft Windows is the first to get the boot.
-
CIQ Releases Compatibility Catalog for Rocky Linux
The company behind Rocky Linux is making an open catalog available to developers, hobbyists, and other contributors, so they can verify and publish compatibility with the CIQ lineup.