Ray's Knowledge Base

Never search the whole disk from the root folder

PreferenceVerified 27 Sep 2026Holds anywhere
Preference. A rule, why it holds, and how to apply it.

Rule#

Do not run find / or other searches that start at the root folder. Search only the folders where the thing can be, for example the tool's install folder under the home folder.

Why#

The user stopped a find / ... search: it is slow, reads far more than needed and touches the whole machine.

How to apply#

First look at the launcher or the install folder (for example read the launcher script, or ls the tool's folder under ~), then search only there. When the location is unknown, ask the user.