WhatsApp Web Message Search Enhancer

WHAT IT DOES

WhatsApp Web Message Search Enhancer transforms the basic WhatsApp Web search into a powerful, feature-rich tool for finding messages instantly. It adds advanced search filters that let you narrow results by message type—Text, Images, Videos, Documents, and Voice messages—so you can quickly find exactly what you're looking for. Keyboard shortcuts let you focus the search input (Ctrl+Shift+F) and navigate through results (Ctrl+Shift+[ and ]) without touching your mouse. Search history is automatically saved, allowing you to re-run previous searches with a single click. The script also displays a search result count showing how many matches were found, with the ability to filter results in real-time. This saves you from endlessly scrolling through chat histories and makes finding important messages in both individual and group chats significantly faster.

WHERE IT RUNS

This script runs exclusively on WhatsApp Web (*.web.whatsapp.com/*). It operates entirely within your browser tab, reading the page's DOM to locate the search input, results panel, and message elements. The script cannot access other tabs, your browsing history, bookmarks, downloads, or any data outside the current page. All settings—including filter enablement, keyboard shortcut enablement, search history saving, max history entries, and result count display—are stored locally using GM_setValue and never transmitted anywhere.

HOW TO USE

After installing with the BotGentz extension, the script automatically enhances the search experience in WhatsApp Web. Use the filter buttons below the search bar to narrow results by message type. Type your search query and press Enter—the results will be filtered automatically. Use Ctrl+Shift+F to jump directly to the search input from anywhere in the app. Use Ctrl+Shift+[ (previous) and Ctrl+Shift+] (next) to cycle through search results without clicking. Your search history is saved in the panel—click any past search to re-run it instantly. The panel shows a live result count as you type or apply filters. Enable or disable any feature in the settings section: toggle advanced filters, keyboard shortcuts, search history, result count, and auto-focus search. Adjust the maximum number of history entries to keep your history manageable.

THE REAL MECHANISM

The script detects WhatsApp Web's search input and results container using data-testid attributes and aria labels. When the user types a query and presses Enter, the script captures the search term and the current chat name, then saves it to the search history stored in GM_setValue. The history is displayed as clickable items in the panel—clicking one fills the search input and triggers a new search. The filter system scans the search results container for message rows and analyzes their innerHTML to detect message type indicators (data-icon values for image, video, document, voice). Based on the active filter, the script toggles the display of each message row, showing only matching messages. The keyboard shortcuts use event listeners on the document: Ctrl+Shift+F focuses the search input, Ctrl+Shift+[/] navigate through visible results by scrolling them into view and applying a highlight. The result count updates dynamically as filters are applied or results change. A MutationObserver watches the results container for changes to keep the count and filters up-to-date. All DOM manipulation uses safe methods with no innerHTML from untrusted content.

THE PANEL

The Search Enhancer panel is a BGPanel component that you can drag anywhere on your screen by its header. It snaps to the nearest edge when released, keeping your workspace organized. The panel collapses to a small bubble showing only the emoji icon when minimised—click to expand it again. You can resize the panel horizontally to see more of the search history and settings. Press the Escape key to collapse the panel instantly. Your panel position and size are saved per-site.

PLEASE NOTE

This script requires the free BotGentz browser extension to function. WhatsApp Web frequently updates its interface, which may change class names, data-testid attributes, and DOM structure—the script may require updates to maintain compatibility. The filter system relies on detecting message type indicators in the DOM; if WhatsApp changes how message types are represented, filtering may not work correctly. Search history is stored locally and is not synced across devices. The keyboard shortcuts may conflict with other extensions or browser shortcuts—you can disable them in settings if needed. The script never reads or writes password fields, hidden inputs, or file inputs. It stores only your filter preference, shortcut enablement, history enablement, max history entries, result count display preference, and auto-focus preference locally. No message content, search queries, or personal information is ever collected, transmitted, or shared.