> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.twelvelabs.io/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.twelvelabs.io/_mcp/server.

# Search

> Search video content using natural language or images.

The Playground allows you to search using natural language queries. A natural language query refers to the ability to enter search requests using everyday language, instead of using specific keywords. For example, enter “Interviews with scientists discussing climate change” to find matching moments across your videos.

The page uses a two-panel layout. Enter your query and adjust parameters in the left panel. Results appear in the right panel.

> **Notes**
>
> * This guide applies to indexes using the Marengo video understanding model.
> * You can search for specific persons in your videos. For instructions on setting up and using this feature, see the [Entity search](/v1.3/docs/resources/playground/search/entity-search) page.

# Procedure

1. Open the [Indexes](https://playground.twelvelabs.io/indexes) page.
2. Select the index containing the videos you want to search.
3. Select the **Search** tab.
4. In the left panel, enter your query:
   * **Text query**: Type a natural language query in the search box and press **Enter**.
   * **Image query**: Select the image icon and upload an image.
5. *(Optional)* Adjust the parameters under **Advanced Settings**. To reset all parameters to their default values, select the **Reset** button.
6. Select the **Search** button.

![](/_fern-img/37266a2ad4d6bff0dea8d552fc8c8697a25c48025a79aae5fcc8dcfa8b8b63b9.webp)

# View results

Results appear in the right panel. Select the **Visual** or **JSON** tab to switch between views.

## Visual tab

The **Visual** tab shows results as video clips sorted by relevance. Each clip includes a video player, a thumbnail preview strip, a timestamp range, a transcription icon, and a **See Full Video** button.

![](/_fern-img/54429974b162c5f4a5c67642bc47c32cee7071f38d0ec08ddef9652e3e934afd.webp)

## JSON tab

The **JSON** tab shows the raw JSON response.

![](/_fern-img/70e44994ba5d7c3a41926b68f68ed9a297dab2be5dca90e4b3d77c3bb0f21c8d.webp)

# Work with search results

## Play a specific moment

1. Hover over the thumbnail preview strip to scrub through the clip.
2. Select a frame to play that moment.

![](/_fern-img/b5ade770d912eec1385a45ed5e74f85bd3cb919d587e802c1b72f42f5b6e043d.webp)

## View a transcription

Select the transcription icon on a result clip. The transcription appears in a modal.

![](/_fern-img/e1b5e9d59930b0e025d6334437b79ba624cdd5810e3434b96321ff9423614efa.webp)

## View all clips from a video

1. Select **See Full Video** on any result clip.
   ![](/_fern-img/017ce3b3a7b9ca80434033c298414d49d01c3137a418a530a4ba9db564476275.webp)
   A side panel opens with the full video at the top and all matching clips listed below, sorted by rank:
   ![](/_fern-img/ea913066fb52866c990b8704a6b5739e2234acc05a84b119e4d8e5a4afa9c4c7.webp)
2. Select any clip to play it.

## Analyze a video

If the Pegasus video understanding model is enabled for your index, select the **Analyze** button in the side panel to analyze your video and generate text based on its content.

![](/_fern-img/be51d519451865e04c2443c6d3f7e7f724898d38246a3cca8911fd6d756b1580.webp)

## View the code snippet

Select **View code** to see the request as cURL, Python, or JavaScript. Copy and paste the snippet into your application.

![](/_fern-img/208aa10792bedc41a4d5a6f8c91948edf45e2084cf8f61e5fa0202ee78f0f0fa.webp)