MonsterSearch — Smarter Manager Search for MODX

What is MonsterSearch?

MonsterSearch is a compact MODX Manager plugin that enhances the built-in quick search. It interprets small search operators (prefixes and symbols), supports exact-name queries with quotes, and enables direct ID filtering.

The idea came from a simple daily frustration: whenever I double-clicked a Chunk or element inside [[ ]], MODX copied the symbol too — for example when double click and copy [[$head]] — will paste $head into the Manager search but it wouldn’t return anything, because the search couldn’t understand the symbol.

MonsterSearch fixes that. You can now copy and paste element tags exactly as they appear, and the search will instantly find the right item.

And when a project grows with hundreds of Chunks, Snippets, Templates and Resources, finding anything becomes mission impossible. MonsterSearch solves that by giving you precise, flexible and much faster results — right inside the Manager.

Key Features

• Wildcard prefixes — limit search results to display only what you need
  $ = Chunks (e.g. $head will display all Chunks that contain head in the name)
  ! = Snippets (e.g. !pdoCall will display all Snippets that contain pdoCall in the name)
  * = TVs (e.g. *mainImage will display all TVs that contain mainImage in the name)
  + = Templates (e.g. +mainTemplate will display all Templates that contain mainTemplate in the name)
  @ = Plugins (e.g. @migx will display all Plugins that contain migx in the name)
  # = Resources (e.g. #index will display all Resources that contain index in the alias or title)
  ^ = Users (e.g. ^admin will display all Users that contain admin in the username)
  ~ = ID (e.g. ~11 will display only the item with ID 11)
  "Footer Snippet" → Displays the exact element with that name, regardless of type (quoted exact-match search)
  
  Combined Examples — for even better experience
  !~21 → Displays only the Snippet with ID 21 (uses ! for Snippets + ~ for exact ID)
  $@ header → Displays Chunks and Plugins that contain header in the name (multiple include prefixes together)
  +"main layout" → Displays Templates named exactly main layout (Template prefix + quoted exact search)
  
  
• Include & exclude — combine multiple prefixes or exclude types with a minus sign (e.g. footer -* -@).
• MODX 2.x & 3.x — compatible with both Manager versions and configurable via System Settings.

Installation (quick)

1. Install the transport package via Package Manager.
2. Go to System Settings → choose monstersearch namespace.
3. You can edit default setting: monstersearch.wildcards, monstersearch.debug.
4. Clear cache and reload the Manager.

Default system settings

 $==chunks||!==snippets||*==tvs||+==templates||@==plugins||#==resources||^==users