Explorer Overview
The Explorer app is HomeDock OS’s universal search interface, providing a unified way to search across all available content in your system. Whether you’re looking for installed applications, encrypted files in Drop Zone, or available software in the App Store, Explorer brings everything together in one intuitive search experience.
Features
Section titled “Features”Universal Search
Section titled “Universal Search”Explorer provides comprehensive search across multiple content types:
- System Applications: Search through built-in HomeDock OS apps (My Home, Settings, Control Hub, App Store, etc.)
- Installed Applications: Find your Docker applications currently running on your system
- App Store: Discover available applications ready to install from the App Store
- Encrypted Files: Search through your Drop Zone encrypted files and folders
Explorer searches across all content types simultaneously, making it the fastest way to find anything in HomeDock OS without navigating through multiple apps.
Search Interface
Section titled “Search Interface”The Explorer features a modern, responsive search interface:
- Real-time Search: Results appear instantly as you type
- Smart Placeholder: “Search apps, files, and more…” guides users on what they can find
- Clear Button: Quickly clear your search query with one click
- Keyboard Navigation: Use arrow keys to navigate results and Enter to open items
- Focus Management: Auto-focus on search input for immediate searching
Category Filtering
Section titled “Category Filtering”Explorer organizes results with intelligent category tabs:
- All: View all search results across all categories
- Apps: Filter to show only system and installed applications
- Files: Display only encrypted files from Drop Zone
- Available: Show software available for installation from the App Store
Each tab displays a count badge showing the number of results in that category, helping you quickly assess where your matches are.
Category tabs with count badges let you instantly see result distribution and quickly filter to exactly what you're looking for.
Search Results
Section titled “Search Results”Result Display
Section titled “Result Display”Search results are organized into grouped sections:
- Visual Icons: Each result shows its application icon or file type icon
- Detailed Information: Name, description, file size, and modification date where applicable
- Type Badges: Color-coded badges indicate the result type (App, System, File, Available)
- Action Buttons: Quick action buttons for opening, downloading, or installing items
- Progress Indicators: Real-time download progress for files being retrieved
Grouped Results
Section titled “Grouped Results”Results are intelligently grouped by category with:
- Group Headers: Clear section titles with category icons
- Item Counts: Shows how many results are in each group
- Visual Hierarchy: Consistent spacing and organization for easy scanning
- Smart Ordering: Results ordered by relevance and type
Interaction Options
Section titled “Interaction Options”Opening Items
Section titled “Opening Items”Different result types have different actions:
- System Apps: Opens the system application window
- Docker Apps: Opens the Docker application properties
- App Store Items: Opens installation dialog for available software
- Files: Downloads the encrypted file from Drop Zone
- Folders: Opens the folder view in Drop Zone
Keyboard Support
Section titled “Keyboard Support”Explorer includes comprehensive keyboard navigation:
- Arrow Keys: Navigate up and down through results
- Enter: Open or activate the selected result
- Escape: Clear search or close Explorer
- Tab: Move between search input and results
Selection States
Section titled “Selection States”- Hover Highlighting: Visual feedback when hovering over results
- Keyboard Selection: Different styling for keyboard-selected items
- Download Progress: Visual overlay showing download percentage for files
Empty States
Section titled “Empty States”Explorer provides helpful guidance when no results are found:
Initial State
Section titled “Initial State”When Explorer first opens:
- Animated Icon: Rotating icons showing search, apps, files, and store
- Search Prompt: “Start typing to search across HomeDock OS”
- Quick Tips: Helpful hints on how to use Explorer effectively
No Results State
Section titled “No Results State”When search returns no matches:
- Alert Icon: Clear visual indicator that no matches were found
- Search Query Display: Shows what term was searched
- Helpful Suggestion: “Try different keywords or check your spelling”
Empty Categories
Section titled “Empty Categories”When a specific category has no items:
- Contextual Messages: Specific feedback based on the selected category
- Helpful Guidance: Suggestions on where to find content
Responsive Design
Section titled “Responsive Design”Explorer adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes:
- Desktop: Full-width search bar with multi-column result layout
- Tablet: Optimized button sizes and responsive icon spacing
- Mobile: Single-column layout with touch-friendly interactions
- Icon Labels: On small screens, button labels hide to save space while maintaining icons
File Management
Section titled “File Management”When interacting with Drop Zone files:
- Download Progress: Real-time progress bars overlaid on file results
- Size Formatting: Human-readable file sizes (KB, MB, GB)
- Relative Timestamps: Shows when files were modified (“5m ago”, “1h ago”, “Now”)
- File Type Icons: Automatic detection and display of appropriate icons for different file types
Integration
Section titled “Integration”Explorer integrates seamlessly with other HomeDock OS components:
- Drop Zone: Direct access to download encrypted files
- App Store: One-click installation of available software
- Window Manager: Opens apps in the Prism window system
- System Stats: Access to container and application metadata
Explorer acts as a universal command center, seamlessly connecting you to any part of HomeDock OS with a single search query.
Theme Support
Section titled “Theme Support”Explorer fully supports all HomeDock OS themes:
- Default: Clean, light interface with subtle borders
- Noir: Dark mode with appropriate contrast and colors
- Aero+: Modern aesthetic with backdrop blur effects
All search inputs, result cards, badges, and buttons adapt to your selected theme.
Best Practices
Section titled “Best Practices”- Use Filters: Narrow down results using category tabs when you know what type of content you’re looking for
- Descriptive Search: Use specific keywords from app names, file names, or descriptions
- Regular Use: Make Explorer your go-to tool for finding anything in HomeDock OS instead of manually browsing
- Keyboard Navigation: Use arrow keys and Enter for faster navigation without reaching for the mouse
Technical Details
Section titled “Technical Details”Explorer leverages advanced features for optimal performance:
- Reactive Search: Uses Vue’s reactive system for instant result updates
- Debounced Input: Prevents excessive API calls while typing
- Cached Results: Stores recent searches for faster repeat queries
- Lazy Loading: Result icons load on-demand to improve performance
- CSRF Protection: All download and installation actions are secured with CSRF tokens