Checklist Search

Overview

The simplest possible search: enumerate items, check each against criteria, return those that pass. Intelligence is in creating the checklist, not in following it.

Goal

Find items that match criteria by checking each item against a defined checklist. Pure mechanical matching - no judgment required.

Steps

Step 1: Define Criteria Checklist

List all criteria that items must meet. Each criterion must be:

• Observable (can be checked)
• Binary (pass/fail) or Scorable (1-10)
• Independent (checking one doesn’t affect another)

Output: Numbered criteria list

Step 2: Enumerate Items

List all items to be checked. Include everything - filtering happens via criteria.

Output: Numbered item list

Step 3: Check Each Item

For each item, check each criterion. Record PASS (✓) or FAIL (✗) for each. No judgment - just mechanical checking.

Output: Results matrix

Step 4: Aggregate Results

Based on mode:

• all_must_pass: Item passes only if ALL criteria pass
• any_must_pass: Item passes if ANY criterion passes
• weighted_score: Calculate weighted sum, threshold for pass

Output: Final pass/fail for each item

Step 5: Return Passing Items

List all items that passed. Optionally rank by number of criteria met or weighted score.

Output: Filtered list

When to Use

• Filtering options by requirements
• Audit/compliance checking
• Quality assurance
• Finding items that meet specifications
• Any search with explicit pass/fail criteria

Verification

• All criteria are observable and checkable
• Each criterion was checked for each item
• Pass/fail was recorded with evidence
• Aggregation mode was applied correctly
• Results are reproducible (another checker would get same result)