localsearch

This is the manual test plan for GNOME's localsearch (previously known as tracker-miners prior to GNOME 47), the file indexing, metadata extraction, and search provider for the Ubuntu desktop. Its backend database is powered by tinysparql (formerly tracker).

Setup

• Use a computer with a standard Ubuntu GNOME session installed.

• Ensure the localsearch and tinysparql packages are installed.

• Open Settings -> Search and verify that the global search toggle is enabled.

• Open Settings -> Search -> Search Locations and ensure standard directories like Documents, Music, and Pictures are enabled.

Basic File Indexing and Shell Integration

• Open a terminal.

• Create a uniquely named empty file in your Documents directory: touch ~/Documents/localsearch-test-1234.txt

• Wait approximately 5 to 10 seconds for localsearch to detect and index the new file.

• Press the Super key to open the GNOME Shell Activities overview.

• Type localsearch-test-1234 in the search bar.

Expected Results

• The file localsearch-test-1234.txt should appear in the search results under the "Files" category.

Nautilus (Files) Integration

• Open the Files (Nautilus) application.

• Navigate to your Home directory.

• Click the search icon (magnifying glass) in the header bar or press Ctrl+F.

• Type localsearch-test-1234.

Expected Results

• The file localsearch-test-1234.txt should appear in the search results.

• Delete the file (rm ~/Documents/localsearch-test-1234.txt) and perform the search again; it should no longer appear in the results.

Content and Full-Text Extraction

• Open a terminal.

• Create a text file containing a unique string: echo "localsearch-unique-content-string-99" > ~/Documents/content-test.txt

• Wait a few moments for the file's content to be extracted and indexed.

• Press the Super key to open the GNOME Shell overview.

• Type localsearch-unique-content-string-99 in the search bar.

Expected Results

• The file content-test.txt is displayed in the search results, proving that full-text content indexing is functioning correctly.

• Remove the file after testing: rm ~/Documents/content-test.txt

Media Metadata Extraction

• Copy a sample image (e.g., JPG or PNG) into your Pictures directory.

• Rename the file to something unique, e.g., localsearch-media-test.jpg.

• Open a terminal and run localsearch info ~/Pictures/localsearch-media-test.jpg (adjust the path if necessary).

Expected Results

• The command should output extracted metadata specific to the media file type (e.g., dimensions, format, MIME type, and EXIF data).

Settings and Search Locations

• Open Settings -> Search.

• Click on Search Locations.

• Turn off the toggle for the Documents directory.

• Create a new test file in the Documents directory: touch ~/Documents/localsearch-ignored-1234.txt

• Wait a few moments, then press the Super key and search for localsearch-ignored-1234.

Expected Results

• The file should not appear in the search results, as the directory was excluded from indexing.

• Go back to Settings -> Search -> Search Locations and toggle Documents back on.

• Wait a few moments and search again for localsearch-ignored-1234.

Expected Results

• The file should now appear in the search results.

• Remove the file after testing: rm ~/Documents/localsearch-ignored-1234.txt

Command Line Operations

• Open a terminal.

• Run the status command: localsearch status

Expected Results

• The output displays the status of the file system indexers (e.g., Idle, Indexing) and provides statistics on the indexed data.

• The command executes cleanly without crashes, core dumps, or DBus connection errors.

CategoryDesktopTestPlans