Crane Search

screenshot of Crane Search

A full-text WebAssembly search engine for static websites. Build, index, and fly.

Overview

Crane is an innovative tool designed to facilitate the implementation of an instant search engine for static websites using WebAssembly. Inspired by Stork, Crane offers a seamless experience by providing a simple configuration process, making it an exciting option for anyone interested in enhancing their website's search capabilities. With its ability to index text and metadata efficiently, Crane transforms a substantial amount of content into a compact, high-performance format, streamlining the search experience for users.

The technology behind Crane consists of two main components: a scanning program that creates a compact index and a WebAssembly module that powers the search functionality directly in the browser. This integration means users can enjoy swift and responsive search results, making it a valuable addition to any static site setup.

Features

  • Efficient Indexing: Transforms 1MB of text and metadata into a mere 25KB index, significantly optimizing data handling.
  • Instant Search Capability: Delivers search results in real time as users type, enhancing user interaction and satisfaction.
  • WebAssembly Integration: Utilizes modern WebAssembly technology for high performance directly in the browser without compromising speed or efficiency.
  • Simple Configuration: Easily configure your documents and metadata with a straightforward setup process.
  • Rebuild Flexibility: Only the index needs to be refreshed whenever document content changes, while the Wasm module requires building only once.
  • Minimal Footprint: While not optimized for file size, the approach ensures that the search engine remains light and efficient.
  • User-Friendly Interface: Provides a basic UI demo that can be customized for various use cases, ensuring easy implementation on your website.