Search Mode
Search Mode lets you search for visible text in the current window with OCR, then move the cursor directly to the matched text.
This is useful when the target is text instead of a button, such as a line in a log view, a label inside a canvas, or content rendered in a custom UI where normal clickable-element detection is not enough.
How It Works
Section titled “How It Works”Search Mode captures the current window, recognizes visible text, and overlays hints on the matched results.
- Trigger one of the Search Mode commands.
- Type the text you want to find.
- Hold Shift and enter the displayed hint to choose a match.
Each match can expose multiple target points, so you can place the cursor near the center or edge of the matched text depending on the situation.
Selecting Non-Editable Text
Section titled “Selecting Non-Editable Text”Search Mode can also help you select text in places where the content is not directly editable.
One useful pattern is:
- Use Search Mode to move the cursor to the text you want.
- Trigger
command.toggleDragto hold the mouse down. - Use Search Mode again, Grid Mode, or Mouse Control Mode to move to the end of the selection.
- Trigger
command.toggleDragagain to release the drag.
This can work well for selecting text in viewers, custom UI surfaces, or other places where normal text editing shortcuts are unavailable.
Permissions
Section titled “Permissions”Search Mode needs Screen Recording permission because it performs OCR on a captured image of the current window.
If macOS blocks capture, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen & System Audio Recording and allow Cursor Crane, then restart the app if needed.
Settings
Section titled “Settings”In Settings > Search Mode, you can configure:
- OCR speed: choose between faster recognition and more accurate recognition.
- Screenshot scale:
1xor2x. - Recognition languages: select one or more OCR languages for the window text.
- Command sequences and shortcuts for Search Mode actions.
Related Commands
Section titled “Related Commands”| CommandIdentifier | Action |
|---|---|
command.moveCursorToText | Move cursor to text |
command.moveCursorToTextAndLeftClick | Move cursor to text and left click |
command.moveCursorToTextAndRightClick | Move cursor to text and right click |