Local Image Search

Search local images quickly using macOS Spotlight or fd.

Quick Start

Search by Name

# Using fd (fastest)
fd -e jpg -e png -e jpeg -e heic -e webp -e gif -e tiff "pattern" /path/to/search

# Using Spotlight
mdfind -onlyin /path/to/search "kMDItemDisplayName == '*pattern*'"

Search by Date

# Today
mdfind -onlyin ~/Pictures "kMDItemContentTypeTree == 'public.image' && kMDItemFSContentChangeDate > $time.today()"

# Last 7 days
mdfind -onlyin ~/Pictures "kMDItemContentTypeTree == 'public.image' && kMDItemFSContentChangeDate > $time.now(-604800)"

# This month
mdfind -onlyin ~/Pictures "kMDItemContentTypeTree == 'public.image' && kMDItemFSContentChangeDate > $time.this_month()"

Search by Location (GPS)

# Has GPS coordinates
mdfind "kMDItemContentTypeTree == 'public.image' && kMDItemGPSStatus == 'GPS'"

# In specific area (approximate)
mdfind "kMDItemContentTypeTree == 'public.image' && kMDItemGPSLatitude > 39 && kMDItemGPSLatitude < 41"

List All Images

# All images in home
mdfind "kMDItemContentTypeTree == 'public.image'"

# Specific directory only
mdfind -onlyin ~/Pictures "kMDItemContentTypeTree == 'public.image'"

# Specific types only
mdfind -onlyin ~/Pictures "kMDItemContentType == 'public.png'"

Available Scripts

Basic Search

• scripts/search_by_name.sh - Search images by filename pattern
• scripts/search_by_date.sh - Search by creation/modification date
• scripts/list_all.sh - List all images in a directory

Advanced Search

• scripts/search_by_location.sh - Search by GPS coordinates
• scripts/search_by_size.sh - Search by image dimensions
• scripts/search_similar.sh - Find visually similar images (requires perceptual hash)

Utility

• scripts/thumbnail.sh - Generate thumbnails for results
• scripts/copy_results.sh - Copy search results to destination

Image Types Supported

Metadata Search Keys

Examples

# Find all screenshots
./scripts/search_by_name.sh "Screen Shot" ~/Desktop

# Find photos from today
./scripts/search_by_date.sh today ~/Pictures

# Find iPhone photos
./scripts/search_by_name.sh "IMG_" ~/Pictures

# Copy results to folder
./scripts/search_by_date.sh today ~/Pictures | ./scripts/copy_results.sh ~/Desktop/today_photos

Requirements

• macOS (uses Spotlight/mdfind)
• fd (optional, for faster filename search): brew install fd
• exiftool (optional, for advanced metadata): brew install exiftool