Search entire system

To search for anything whose name contains example_name in macOS.

1. Do you need to search the entire system?

sudo find / -iname '*example_name*' 2>/dev/null

Using sudo allows find to enter protected directories, and 2>/dev/null hides permission denied messages.

1. If you are looking specifically for directories or files, use a filter:
2. Files only: ... -type f

3. Folders only: ... -type d

4. To view the result in Finder:

open "$(mdfind -name 'example_name' | head -1)"

This will open the first result directly in Finder.