title: Query Expression
role: manual
tags: #manual #search #zettelstore
syntax: zmk

A query expression allows you to search for specific zettel and to perform some actions on them.
You may select zettel based on a list of [[zettel identifier|00001006050000]], based on a query directive, based on a full-text search, based on specific metadata values, or some or all of them.

A query expression consists of an optional __[[zettel identifier list|00001007710000]]__, zero or more __[[query directives|00001007720000]]__, an optional __[[search expression|00001007701000]]__, and an optional __[[action list|00001007770000]]__.
The latter two are separated by a vertical bar character (""''|''"", U+007C).

A query expression follows a [[formal syntax|00001007780000]].

* [[List of zettel identifier|00001007710000]]
* [[Query directives|00001007720000]]
** [[Context directive|00001007720300]]
** [[Ident directive|00001007720600]]
** [[Items directive|00001007720900]]
** [[Unlinked directive|00001007721200]]
* [[Search expression|00001007701000]]
** [[Search term|00001007702000]]
** [[Search operator|00001007705000]]
** [[Search value|00001007706000]]
* [[Action list|00001007770000]]

Here are [[some examples|00001007790000]], which can be used to manage a Zettelstore:
{{{00001007790000}}}