Microsoft Search Query Tool

A small local tool to build and test Microsoft Search queries against the Microsoft Graph POST /search/query API, and read the exact request and response. It is the cloud/Copilot-era successor to the classic SharePoint Search Query Tool: it can query SharePoint, OneDrive, and Copilot connectors (external items) from one place, which the old tool cannot.

It runs as a console app that hosts a local web UI in your browser. Nothing leaves your tenant.

A step-by-step walkthrough is on the blog: Microsoft Search Query Tool for SharePoint, OneDrive and Copilot connectors.

Features

• Query across entity types: driveItem (SharePoint/OneDrive), listItem, site, and externalItem (Copilot connectors).
• Connection picker. The tool lists your Copilot connectors, so you pick one instead of pasting an id. Results are badged with the actual connector name.
• Fields. Request any retrievable property, or load them from a connection's schema.
• Sort, paging (Prev/Next), and refiners (facets with drill-down chips, like Microsoft Search).
• KQL. The query box accepts KQL (filetype:docx, Path:"...", author:"...", title:..., AND/OR/NOT, prefix wildcards). One-click example chips are provided.
• Results, Request, and Response (raw) tabs. The raw Graph request and response render as a collapsible, syntax-highlighted JSON tree.
• Verify tab. Shows the KQL and builds links to reproduce the query in SharePoint enterprise search (results in a browser tab).
• Sign in / sign out / sign in as different user, light and dark themes.

Prerequisites

• .NET 8 SDK (or newer).
• A Microsoft 365 work account that can read the content you want to query.

No app registration is required. The tool signs in using the well-known Microsoft Graph Command Line Tools public client and asks you to consent to three read-only scopes: Sites.Read.All, ExternalItem.Read.All, and ExternalConnection.Read.All.

Run it

cd search-query-tool
dotnet run

The browser opens at http://localhost:5089. Click the account circle (top-right) to sign in and consent, then run a query.

The Request tab shows the exact POST /search/query body being sent, and Open in Graph Explorer reproduces the same call:

Configuration

Override defaults in appsettings.json:

Key	Default	Notes
ClientId	Graph CLI public client	Set to your own app registration's client id for production.
TenantId	organizations	Set to a specific tenant id or domain to force that tenant.
Url	http://localhost:5089	Local listen address.

To use your own app registration: register a public client, enable public client flows, add delegated Sites.Read.All, ExternalItem.Read.All, ExternalConnection.Read.All, grant admin consent, and put its client id in appsettings.json.

Notes and limitations

• Cloud only (Graph). No on-premises SharePoint, no FQL, no query rules or result sources.
• externalItem queries require a connection; property restrictions like Path: and filetype: apply to SharePoint/OneDrive, not connector items (those use their own connector schema).
• It is a local, single-user tool: it binds to localhost only and uses your own delegated token.

Roadmap

• A Copilot Retrieval API compare panel (what Copilot would ground on for the same query). Requires a Microsoft 365 Copilot license or Retrieval API pay-as-you-go, so it is deferred.

License

MIT, see LICENSE.