Fast Media Search

Fast Media Search replaces the native October CMS Media Manager file search with a fast, database-backed index.

It keeps the standard Media Manager interface exactly where editors already use it, while making media search much faster on large libraries, remote disks, and long-running projects with thousands of uploaded files.

Why use Fast Media Search?

The default Media Manager search can become slow when the media library grows or when files are stored on remote storage. Fast Media Search solves this by indexing media file paths, names, extensions, sizes, MIME types, and modification dates in the database.

When a user searches in the Media Manager, the plugin searches the database index instead of scanning the file storage.

Features

• Fast database-backed search for October CMS Media Library
• Native Media Manager user experience
• No changes to editor workflow
• Automatic index updates after upload, delete, rename, and move actions
• Full reindex from the backend settings page
• Queue-based reindexing for large media libraries
• Live rebuild status with automatic refresh
• Console command for developers and deployments
• Search by file name, path, folder, extension, and indexed metadata
• Works with Media Finder and Media Manager popup usage
• Multi-language backend interface
• Designed for October CMS 4.x

Native Media Manager integration

Fast Media Search does not replace the Media Manager UI.

It keeps the native October CMS Media Manager and only changes the internal search source. Editors can continue using the same search field, filters, sorting, file selection, media popups, thumbnails, and file actions.

This means the user experience stays familiar while the search becomes much faster.

Reindexing

The plugin includes a dedicated settings page:

Settings > Media > Fast Media Search

From there, administrators can start a full reindex in the background queue and monitor the current status.

The status panel shows:

• Current rebuild state
• Number of indexed files
• Number of processed files
• Number of removed stale records
• Current folder being processed
• Start and finish timestamps
• Error details if the job fails

Automatic index updates

After the first full reindex, Fast Media Search keeps the index up to date automatically.

The index is updated when files are:

• Uploaded
• Deleted
• Renamed
• Moved

Folder operations are also handled, including folder delete, rename, and move actions.

Requirements

When should you use it?

Fast Media Search is useful when:

• The Media Library contains many files
• Search in the Media Manager feels slow
• Media files are stored on remote storage
• Editors frequently search for documents, images, videos, or other uploaded files
• You want to keep the native October CMS Media Manager UX
• You need a background reindexing workflow

Troubleshooting

Search returns no results

Run the first full reindex from:

Settings > Media > Fast Media Search

Also make sure the backend user has the required plugin permissions.

Reindex is stuck in queued state

Check that a queue worker is running:

php artisan queue:work --queue=default --timeout=0

Also check your queue connection in the application environment configuration.

Reindex fails

Open the Fast Media Search settings page and check the error message in the status panel.

You can also check the failed jobs table and application logs.

The settings page is not visible

Make sure the backend user has permission to manage the media index.

Notes

Fast Media Search indexes file information used for searching. It does not move, modify, or replace your media files.

The plugin keeps using October CMS Media Library for file URLs, thumbnails, file actions, and native Media Manager behavior.