qmd-markdown-searchLocal hybrid search for markdown notes and docs. Use when searching notes, finding related content, or retrieving documents from indexed collections.
Install via ClawdBot CLI:
clawdbot install emcmillan80/qmd-markdown-searchInstall qmd via Bun:
Install qmd via BunRequires:
Local search engine for Markdown notes, docs, and knowledge bases. Index once, search fast.
qmd search (BM25). It's typically instant and should be the default.qmd vsearch only when keyword search fails and you need semantic similarity (can be very slow on a cold start).qmd query unless the user explicitly wants the highest quality hybrid results and can tolerate long runtimes/timeouts.brew install sqlite (SQLite extensions)$HOME/.bun/binInstall Bun (macOS): brew install oven-sh/bun/bun
bun install -g https://github.com/tobi/qmd
qmd collection add /path/to/notes --name notes --mask "**/*.md"
qmd context add qmd://notes "Description of this collection" # optional
qmd embed # one-time to enable vector + hybrid search
*/.md).qmd search (default): fast keyword match (BM25)qmd vsearch (last resort): semantic similarity (vector). Often slow due to local LLM work before the vector lookup.qmd query (generally skip): hybrid search + LLM reranking. Often slower than vsearch and may timeout.qmd search is typically instant.qmd vsearch can be ~1 minute on some machines because query expansion may load a local model (e.g., Qwen3-1.7B) into memory per run; the vector lookup itself is usually fast.qmd query adds LLM reranking on top of vsearch, so it can be even slower and less reliable for interactive use.qmd search "query" # default
qmd vsearch "query"
qmd query "query"
qmd search "query" -c notes # Search specific collection
qmd search "query" -n 10 # More results
qmd search "query" --json # JSON output
qmd search "query" --all --files --min-score 0.3
-n : number of results-c, --collection : restrict to a collection--all --min-score : return all matches above a threshold--json / --files: agent-friendly output formats--full: return full document contentqmd get "path/to/file.md" # Full document
qmd get "#docid" # By ID from search results
qmd multi-get "journals/2025-05*.md"
qmd multi-get "doc1.md, doc2.md, #abc123" --json
qmd status # Index health
qmd update # Re-index changed files
qmd embed # Update embeddings
Automate indexing so results stay current as you add/edit notes.
qmd search), qmd update is usually enough (fast).vsearch/query), you may also want qmd embed, but it can be slow.Example schedules (cron):
# Hourly incremental updates (keeps BM25 fresh):
0 * * * * export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && qmd update
# Optional: nightly embedding refresh (can be slow):
0 5 * * * export PATH="$HOME/.bun/bin:$PATH" && qmd embed
If your Clawdbot/agent environment supports a built-in scheduler, you can run the same commands there instead of system cron.
~/.cache/qmd/models/ (override with XDG_CACHE_HOME).qmd searches your local files (notes/docs) that you explicitly index into collections.memory_search searches agent memory (saved facts/context from prior interactions).memory_search for "what did we decide/learn before?", qmd for "what's in my notes/docs on disk?".Generated Mar 1, 2026
Individuals managing personal notes, journals, or research documents in Markdown format can use qmd to quickly search and retrieve relevant content. It helps organize scattered notes into a searchable index, enabling fast access to information without relying on cloud services.
Software development teams can index their project documentation written in Markdown to enable instant keyword searches for APIs, guides, or troubleshooting notes. This reduces time spent navigating folders and improves onboarding and support efficiency.
Researchers and students can use qmd to index academic papers, notes, and literature reviews in Markdown format for hybrid search capabilities. It facilitates finding related studies or retrieving specific documents from large collections locally.
Writers and content creators managing Markdown-based drafts, articles, or blogs can leverage qmd to search for past content, find inspiration, or retrieve specific files. It streamlines content reuse and organization in local workflows.
Small to medium businesses can set up qmd to index internal documentation, meeting notes, and process guides in Markdown. This enables employees to quickly find information without depending on external search tools, enhancing collaboration and productivity.
Offer a free version of qmd for basic local search with limited collections, and charge for advanced features like semantic search, cloud sync, or team collaboration tools. Revenue can come from subscription plans targeting power users and enterprises.
License qmd to organizations for internal use, providing custom support, integration services, and enhanced security features. Revenue is generated through one-time licenses or annual maintenance contracts tailored to business needs.
Provide consulting services to help clients set up, customize, and optimize qmd for specific workflows, such as integrating with existing tools or scaling for large document collections. Revenue comes from project-based fees and ongoing support.
💬 Integration Tip
Automate indexing with cron jobs or built-in schedulers to keep search results fresh, and use the --json option for seamless integration with agent workflows.
Work with Obsidian vaults (plain Markdown notes) and automate via obsidian-cli.
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Notion API for creating and managing pages, databases, and blocks.
Smart ClawdBot documentation access with local search index, cached snippets, and on-demand fetch. Token-efficient and freshness-aware.
Work with Obsidian vaults as a knowledge base. Features: fuzzy/phonetic search across all notes, auto-folder detection for new notes, create/read/edit notes with frontmatter, manage tags and wikilinks. Use when: querying knowledge base, saving notes/documents, editing existing notes by user instructions.