Command referenceconda search
conda search command (Linux & Windows / Conda)
What it does
Search configured channels for available package versions before installing. When people look up conda search package, they usually want safe flags, copyable examples, and how this Conda subcommand fits Anaconda or Miniconda workflows on Linux, Windows, and macOS. Syntax, options, and practical examples are below.
Search configured channels for available package versions before installing.
Syntax
conda search [options] PACKAGE
Common options
| Flag / option | Meaning |
|---|---|
| PACKAGE | Package name or match spec to search. |
| -c, --channel | Search an additional channel. |
| --info | Show detailed metadata for matches. |
| --json | JSON output for tooling. |
| --outdated | List only packages with newer builds available locally. |
Practical examples
Find versions
conda search python
Lists Python builds available from your channels.
Specific channel
conda search -c conda-forge pytorch
Searches conda-forge for PyTorch builds.
Match spec
conda search 'numpy>=1.26'
Filters to versions that satisfy the match specification.
Detailed metadata
conda search --info pandas=2.2
Shows dependencies and build strings for matching builds.
Common mistakes
- Searching defaults only when the package you need lives on conda-forge.
- Installing the first hit without checking platform (linux-64 vs win-64) compatibility.
Related commands
- conda installInstall packages into the active or named Conda environment from configured channels.
- conda listList packages installed in the active or named Conda environment.
- conda configView and change Conda configuration such as channels, channel priority, and auto-activate settings.
- conda createCreate a new isolated Conda environment with an optional Python version and starter packages.
- conda activateActivate a named or path-based Conda environment in the current shell session.
- conda env listList all Conda environments and mark the currently active one.
- aptSearch, install, update, and remove packages on Debian-based systems.
- conda env createCreate an environment from an environment.yml (or similar) specification file.
FAQ
What does conda search do in Conda?
Search configured channels for available package versions before installing.
Does conda search work on Windows and Linux?
Yes. Conda runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS; shell activation differs slightly after `conda init`, but the CLI flags are the same.
What is a practical conda search example?
Try `conda search python` — Lists Python builds available from your channels.
Is mamba the same as conda search?
Mamba is a faster drop-in solver for many Conda workflows. Prefer `mamba` only when it is installed; otherwise use the Conda commands on this page.
Browse the full Linux and Windows command reference to search more bash, CMD, PowerShell, Conda, and GitHub CLI commands.