Filtering

Prisma Calendar provides multiple powerful ways to filter events, from simple text search to advanced property-based expressions. These filtering options work together to help you focus on exactly what matters.

Three Ways to Filter

1. Search Bar (Simple Text Filter)

The Search Bar in the calendar toolbar lets you quickly filter events by title:

• Location: Calendar toolbar (left side)
• Usage: Type any text to show only events whose titles contain that text
• Features:
  • Case-insensitive search
  • Real-time filtering with debouncing (150ms)
  • Press Enter or blur the input to apply immediately
• Hotkey: Use the Focus search command to jump directly to the search input

Example:

Type "meeting" → Shows only events with "meeting" in the title

2. Expression Filter (Advanced Property Filter)

The Expression Filter enables powerful, property-based filtering using JavaScript expressions:

• Location: Calendar toolbar (next to search bar)
• Usage: Enter JavaScript expressions that reference frontmatter properties
• Features:
  • Access any frontmatter property by name (e.g., Status, Priority)
  • Use full JavaScript operators (===, !==, &&, ||, !)
  • Supports array methods (includes(), length, etc.)
  • Evaluates against all frontmatter properties
• Hotkey: Use the Focus expression filter command to jump to the filter input

Examples:

// Show only high-priority items
Priority === 'High'

// Show active tasks (not done)
Status !== 'Done'

// Show items with 'urgent' tag
Tags && Tags.includes('urgent')

// Complex: High-priority active work tasks
Project === 'Work' && Priority === 'High' && Status !== 'Done'

// Show tasks due soon or high priority
(Priority === 'High') || (DueDate && new Date(DueDate) < new Date())

3. Filter Presets (Quick Access)

Filter Presets let you save and reuse common filter expressions:

• Location: Dropdown (▼) in calendar toolbar
• Setup: Configure in Settings → Rules → Filter Presets
• Features:
  • Save named presets with custom expressions
  • One-click application from dropdown
  • "Clear" option to reset filters
  • Hotkey support via Open filter preset selector command

Setting Up Presets:

1. Go to Settings → Prisma Calendar → Rules → Filter Presets
2. Click "Add Preset"
3. Enter a name (e.g., "High Priority Tasks")
4. Enter the expression (e.g., Priority === 'High' && Status !== 'Done')
5. Access from the ▼ dropdown in the calendar toolbar

How Filters Work Together

All active filters are combined with AND logic. An event must pass all active filters to be displayed:

Visible = (Search Filter) AND (Expression Filter) AND (Settings Filter)

Example:

• Search: "meeting"
• Expression Filter: Status !== 'Done'
• Result: Shows only events with "meeting" in the title AND Status is not "Done"

Settings-Based Filtering

Each calendar also has persistent filter expressions in its settings:

• Reference frontmatter properties directly by name (e.g., Status, Priority)
• An event is displayed only if the expression evaluates to true
• Use && (AND) and || (OR) to combine multiple conditions as needed
• These filters are permanent and apply every time the calendar loads

Building Complex Filters with JavaScript Logic

You can create sophisticated filtering logic using standard JavaScript operators. Here are some examples:

Simple Filters

// Show only high-priority items
Priority === 'High'

// Show everything except completed tasks
Status !== 'Done'

// Show items tagged with 'urgent'
Tags && Tags.includes('urgent')

Complex Filters with AND/OR Logic

// High-priority active tasks for Project Phoenix
Project === 'Project Phoenix' && Priority === 'High' && Status !== 'Done'

// Show urgent items OR high-priority work items
(Tags && Tags.includes('urgent')) || (Priority === 'High' && Category === 'Work')

// Show active tasks from multiple projects
(Project === 'Phoenix' || Project === 'Atlas') && Status !== 'Done'

// Complex conditional logic
Status === 'Active' && (Priority === 'High' || (DueDate && new Date(DueDate) < new Date()))

The filter expression is fully flexible - you can combine as many conditions as needed using JavaScript's logical operators.

Using Multiple Calendars with Different Filters

Multiple calendars provide flexibility for viewing different event sources. Each calendar must use its own separate directory to have independent filter settings.

✅ CORRECT: Separate Directories for Different Filters

Calendar "Work Tasks":
  Directory: work/
  Filter: Status !== 'Done'

Calendar "Personal Events":
  Directory: personal/
  Filter: Priority === 'High'

Calendar "Project Deadlines":
  Directory: projects/
  Filter: Type === 'deadline'

❌ INCORRECT: Same Directory with Different Filters

Calendar "Active Tasks":
  Directory: tasks/
  Filter: fm.Status !== 'Done'

Calendar "All Tasks":
  Directory: tasks/        ← Will NOT work!
  Filter: (no filter)      ← Will use first calendar's filter!

Why? Calendars sharing a directory share the same indexer and parser, which means they must use the FIRST calendar's filter settings. You cannot create different "filtered views" of the same directory.

Workaround: If you need different views of the same event set:

• Use a single comprehensive filter expression with AND/OR logic
• Use color rules to differentiate event types visually
• Or organize events into separate directories by type/status

Viewing Filtered Events

Filtered Event List Modal

When you have active search or expression filters, you might wonder what events are being hidden. The Filtered Event List Modal shows you exactly which events are currently excluded by your active filters.

• Access: Command palette → "Show filtered events"
• Shows: All events that don't pass current search and expression filters
• Features:
  • Search within filtered events by name
  • Click any event to open its file
  • See why events are hidden (they don't match your active filters)
  • Useful for debugging complex filter expressions

Use Case:

Active Filter: Status !== 'Done'
Filtered Events Modal: Shows all events where Status === 'Done'

This helps you:

• Verify your filter is working correctly
• Find events you thought should be visible
• Understand the impact of your filter expressions

Search in List Modals

Several list modals now include search functionality to help you find specific events quickly:

Disabled Recurring Events Modal

• Access: Click the disabled recurring events counter in calendar header
• Search: Type event name to filter the list
• Actions: Enable or open any disabled recurring event

Skipped Events Modal

• Access: Command palette → "Show skipped events"
• Search: Type event name to filter the list
• Actions: View and manage all events marked as skipped

Benefits:

• Quickly locate specific events in large lists
• No need to scroll through hundreds of entries
• Real-time search as you type

Keyboard Shortcuts

Prisma Calendar provides commands that you can bind to hotkeys for quick filter access:

Command	Description
Focus search	Jump to the search bar input
Focus expression filter	Jump to the expression filter input
Open filter preset selector	Open the filter presets dropdown
Show filtered events	Open modal showing events hidden by active filters
Show skipped events	Open modal listing all skipped events (with search)
Show disabled recurring events	Open modal listing disabled recurring events (with search)

Setting Up Hotkeys:

1. Go to Settings → Hotkeys
2. Search for "Prisma Calendar"
3. Find the filter commands and assign your preferred key combinations

Best Practices

Filter Strategy

1. Start with Search: Use the search bar for quick title-based filtering during daily use
2. Add Expression Filter: Layer on property-based filters for more specific views
3. Save as Preset: Convert frequently-used expressions into presets for one-click access
4. Settings for Permanent: Use settings filters for views you want every time (e.g., hiding archived events)

Troubleshooting

Events Not Showing

1. Check all active filters: Search, expression, settings, and preset filters all apply
2. Clear filters one by one: Identify which filter is excluding your event
3. Test expressions: Use the browser console to test filter logic
4. Verify property names: Ensure property names match your frontmatter exactly (case-sensitive)

Invalid Expressions

• Check console: Invalid expressions are logged with detailed error messages
• Common issues:
  • Missing closing parenthesis: (Status === 'Done' ❌ → (Status === 'Done') ✅
  • Single equals: Status = 'Done' ❌ → Status === 'Done' ✅
  • Undefined properties: Tags.includes('urgent') ❌ → Tags && Tags.includes('urgent') ✅

Filter Not Updating

• Search/Expression: Debounce delay (press Enter to apply immediately)
• Settings Filter: Requires calendar reload or settings save
• Preset Filter: Should apply immediately on selection