> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.roboflow.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.roboflow.com/developer/command-line-interface/universe-search.md).

# Universe Search

You can search for public datasets and models on [Roboflow Universe](https://universe.roboflow.com) from the command line.

## Search Universe

```bash
roboflow universe search "hard hats"
```

```bash
roboflow universe search "hard hats" --json
```

### Options

| Flag      | Description                             |
| --------- | --------------------------------------- |
| `--type`  | Filter by `dataset` or `model`          |
| `--limit` | Maximum number of results (default: 12) |

### Examples

Search for datasets only:

```bash
roboflow universe search "safety vest" --type dataset
```

Limit results:

```bash
roboflow universe search "license plates" --type model --limit 5
```

## JSON Output

Use `--json` for structured output that's safe to pipe:

```bash
roboflow universe search "hard hats" --json | jq '.[].name'
roboflow universe search "cars" --type dataset --limit 3 --json
```

Exit codes: 0 = success, 1 = error, 2 = auth error.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.roboflow.com/developer/command-line-interface/universe-search.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.