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---
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stage: Create
group: Editor
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info: To determine the technical writer assigned to the Stage/Group associated with this page, see https://about.gitlab.com/handbook/engineering/ux/technical-writing/#assignments
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disqus_identifier: 'https://docs.gitlab.com/ee/workflow/file_finder.html'
---
# File finder
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> [Introduced](https://github.com/gitlabhq/gitlabhq/pull/9889) in GitLab 8.4.
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The file finder feature allows you to search for a file in a repository using the
GitLab UI.
You can find the **Find File** button when in the **Files** section of a
project.
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![Find file button ](img/file_finder_find_button_v12_10.png )
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For those who prefer to keep their fingers on the keyboard, there is a
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[shortcut button ](../../shortcuts.md ) as well, which you can invoke from _anywhere_
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in a project.
Press `t` to launch the File search function when in **Issues** ,
**Merge requests**, **Milestones** , even the project's settings.
Start typing what you are searching for and watch the magic happen. With the
up/down arrows, you go up and down the results, with `Esc` you close the search
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and go back to **Files**
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## How it works
The File finder feature is powered by the [Fuzzy filter ](https://github.com/jeancroy/fuzz-aldrin-plus ) library.
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It implements a fuzzy search with the highlight and tries to provide intuitive
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results by recognizing patterns that people use while searching.
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For example, consider the [GitLab FOSS repository ](https://gitlab.com/gitlab-org/gitlab-foss/tree/master ) and that we want to open
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the `app/controllers/admin/deploy_keys_controller.rb` file.
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Using a fuzzy search, we start by typing letters that get us closer to the file.
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NOTE:
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To narrow down your search, include `/` in your search terms.
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![Find file button ](img/file_finder_find_file_v12_10.png )