# Search everything and ask for an answer

> Brain Search is one box over desks, documents, tables, widgets, files, knowledge, calendar, meetings, signatures and email. Enter opens; ⌘Enter asks.

Source: https://plexiidesk.com/help/brain-search
Section: Brain > Knowledge and search
Plans: All plans
Updated: 2026-10-15

**Search** in the Brain area looks through your whole workspace from one box. Results appear as you type, labelled by what they are, and open with a click or `Enter`. When you want more than a list, press `⌘` `Enter` (`Ctrl` `Enter` on Windows) or click **Ask**, and Plexii writes a short answer from what your workspace says, with its sources.

## Before you start

- **Every plan** includes Search.
- **Written answers need AI.** When you are signed in they run on PlexiDesk credits, or you can use your own Anthropic key. The results list works without AI. See [AI credits and where your AI runs](https://plexiidesk.com/help/ai-credits).

## Search your workspace

1. Open the **Brain** area and choose **Search**. The box is ready to type in.
2. Type at least two characters. Results appear underneath, with a count such as **8 results**.
3. Press `↓` and `↑` to move through them. The first result is selected as soon as results arrive.
4. Press `Enter`, or click a result, to open it.

The box reads **Search everything. Up and down to move, Enter to open, Cmd+Enter to ask**.

## What it searches

Each result shows its title, a short extract and a label for what it is:

| Label | Opens |
| --- | --- |
| **Task** | The desk. |
| **Folder** | The room. |
| **Document**, **Spreadsheet**, **Slides** | The file in its editor. |
| **Table** | The desk the table is on. |
| **On a desk** | The desk the widget is on. |
| **File** | Your Files. |
| **PlexiBrain** | The entry in Ask Brain. |
| **Calendar** | Your calendar. |
| **Meeting** | Meetings. |
| **Signature** | PlexiiSign. |
| **Email** | The message, in Mail. |

## Ask for an answer

1. Type your question in the box, for example "what did we agree with Acme on pricing?".
2. Press `⌘` `Enter` on a Mac or `Ctrl` `Enter` on Windows, or click **Ask** beside the box.
3. While Plexii works, a card says **Reading your workspace and writing an answer…**.

The **Answer** card shows a plain-language answer and, under **Sources**, the documents and Brain entries it drew on. Click a source to open it. The results list stays underneath, so you can check further.

Asking is never automatic: Plexii writes an answer only when you ask for one.

## What you will see when something is missing

- **Nothing matches that yet. Try different words.** No result matched. Try other words, or fewer of them.
- **Search failed. Try again.** The search could not run. Try again in a moment.
- **Add an Anthropic key in Settings to get a written answer drawn from your workspace.** You are signed out and have no key of your own, so there is no written answer. The results list still works. See [Add your own API keys](https://plexiidesk.com/help/api-keys).

## Tips

- **Two words beat one.** "budget Q3" narrows faster than "budget".
- **Search, then ask.** Look at the results first. If the answer is spread across several of them, ask.
- **Read the label first.** It tells you where a result will open, such as the desk a table is on, before you click.

## Common questions

**Is this the same as the command palette?** Both search your workspace. The command palette, `⌘` `K` (`Ctrl` `K`), is quick to reach from anywhere and also runs commands. Brain Search is a full page with extracts and written answers. See [The command palette](https://plexiidesk.com/help/command-palette).

**How is Ask different from asking Plexii?** Ask gives one answer to one question from your workspace. Plexii keeps a conversation, can search the web, read things you mention with `@`, and propose changes. See [Ask Plexii a question](https://plexiidesk.com/help/plexii-ask).

**Enter opened a result instead of asking.** Plain `Enter` opens the selected result. Use `⌘` `Enter` (`Ctrl` `Enter`) or **Ask** for an answer.

## Related tasks

- [Brain: your workspace knowledge](https://plexiidesk.com/help/brain-overview)
- [Build your knowledge base in Ask Brain](https://plexiidesk.com/help/brain-knowledge)
- [The command palette](https://plexiidesk.com/help/command-palette)
- [Ask Plexii a question](https://plexiidesk.com/help/plexii-ask)
- [What Plexii can read and search](https://plexiidesk.com/help/plexii-what-plexii-reads)