Search Implementation
Build a search system with debouncing, filtering, and highlighting
A good search experience requires debouncing (to avoid excessive API calls), client-side filtering for instant results, and keyboard navigation for power users. I use a custom useDebounce hook that delays the search query until the user stops typing. The search index is built client-side for instant filtering. The Command Palette pattern (Cmd+K) has become a standard — it combines search with quick actions, making the app feel more professional and efficient.
I implement client-side search with a custom debounce hook for simplicity. For larger datasets, consider Algolia, Meilisearch, or Elasticsearch for server-side search. The debouncing and keyboard navigation patterns shown here are universal — they'll enhance any search implementation regardless of the backend.
How it works
hooks/
├── use-search.ts # Search hook with filtering
└── use-debounce.ts # Debounce utility hook
lib/
└── search/
└── search-index.ts # Search data index
components/
└── QuickSearch.tsx # Search componentInstant Search
Real-time search results as you type.
Filtering
Filter results by category or type.
Recent Searches
Quick access to recent search history.
Suggestions
Smart search suggestions and trending.
Key Features
- •Debounced search input
- •Client-side filtering
- •Search suggestions
- •Recent searches history
- •Keyboard navigation support