Tag Search: Partial match or wildcard support #5251

New Issue

OVERLORD · 2026-02-05T09:51:28+03:00

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 09:51:28 +03:00

Originally created by @V0idH4nter on GitHub (Apr 9, 2025).

Describe the feature you'd like

In the advanced search functionality, when searching by tag, BookStack currently does not suggest or autocomplete existing tags. Additionally, the search only returns results if the exact tag name is typed. This presents usability issues for users who may not remember the precise tag or are looking for related tags.

I propose the following improvements:

Partial Match Support / Regex Search: Enable support for partial matches or wildcard/regex-based tag search. For example, searching for install* should return tags like installation or install-plugin.

Describe the benefits this would bring to existing BookStack users

These improvements would significantly enhance the search experience. Users no longer need to remember or guess the exact tag names. As the knowledge base grows, the feature scales well with more tags and users contributing content.

Can the goal of this request already be achieved via other means?

No.
Exact tag matches are required, and there is no workaround for partial or wildcard searches.

Have you searched for an existing open/closed issue?

I have searched for existing issues and none cover my fundamental request

How long have you been using BookStack?

Under 3 months

Additional context

No response

Originally created by @V0idH4nter on GitHub (Apr 9, 2025). ### Describe the feature you'd like In the advanced search functionality, when searching by tag, BookStack currently does not suggest or autocomplete existing tags. Additionally, the search only returns results if the exact tag name is typed. This presents usability issues for users who may not remember the precise tag or are looking for related tags. **I propose the following improvements:** - Partial Match Support / Regex Search: Enable support for partial matches or wildcard/regex-based tag search. For example, searching for install* should return tags like installation or install-plugin. ### Describe the benefits this would bring to existing BookStack users These improvements would significantly enhance the search experience. Users no longer need to remember or guess the exact tag names. As the knowledge base grows, the feature scales well with more tags and users contributing content. ### Can the goal of this request already be achieved via other means? **No.** Exact tag matches are required, and there is no workaround for partial or wildcard searches. ### Have you searched for an existing open/closed issue? - [x] I have searched for existing issues and none cover my fundamental request ### How long have you been using BookStack? Under 3 months ### Additional context _No response_

OVERLORD added the 🔨 Feature Request label 2026-02-05 09:51:28 +03:00

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 09:51:30 +03:00

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2025):

Thanks for the suggestions @V0idH4nter.
Tag search suggestions are already open under #2829 and #3565, so I'll update this to focus on the partial match part.

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2025): Thanks for the suggestions @V0idH4nter. Tag search suggestions are already open under #2829 and #3565, so I'll update this to focus on the partial match part.

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 09:51:33 +03:00

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2025):

Users no longer need to remember or guess the exact tag names.

Just as an existing partial alternative for that, users could use the /tags view then start a search from there by clicking on the desired tag.

@ssddanbrown commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2025): > Users no longer need to remember or guess the exact tag names. Just as an existing partial alternative for that, users could use the `/tags` view then start a search from there by clicking on the desired tag.

OVERLORD commented

2026-02-05 09:51:34 +03:00

@V0idH4nter commented on GitHub (Apr 15, 2025):

You could just change the '=' to 'like' in SearchRunner.php line 315 and 320. That will enable partial match.

@V0idH4nter commented on GitHub (Apr 15, 2025): You could just change the '=' to 'like' in SearchRunner.php line 315 and 320. That will enable partial match.

OVERLORD referenced this issue

2026-02-05 10:32:52 +03:00

[PR #5255] [MERGED] Validate settings categories by checking for existing views #6461

Sign in to join this conversation.

Branches Tags

1 Participants

Notifications

Due Date

No due date set.

Dependencies

No dependencies set.

Reference: starred/BookStack#5251