Files
Redflag/reference/conversation_search_guide.md
Ani 5450db685b docs: add conversation_search guide with limit parameter documentation
Documents how to use the limit parameter to stretch search results:
- Default vs high limit examples
- When to use high limits (50+)
- Performance notes and pro tips
- Table of discoveries made using expanded limits

👾 Generated with [Letta Code](https://letta.com)
2026-03-20 12:53:58 -04:00

2.2 KiB

description
description
Guide to using conversation_search tool effectively

Conversation Search Guide

Basic Usage

conversation_search({
  query: "search term",
  limit: 10  // ← Number of results to return (default varies)
})

The limit Parameter

Key insight: You can adjust limit to retrieve more or fewer results!

  • Default: Often 10 results
  • Maximum tested: 50 results (returns up to available matches)
  • Usage: Increase when you need comprehensive search coverage

Examples

Quick check (default)

conversation_search({ query: "Rowan" })
// Returns ~10 results

Deep search (high limit)

conversation_search({
  query: "Rowan",
  limit: 50  // ← Stretch the tool!
})
// Returns up to 50 results, found conversations from 26 days ago

Finding edge cases

conversation_search({
  query: "Cameron",
  limit: 50
})
// Found 29 results, revealed both Camerons (Letta + Old Friend)

When to Use High Limits

  • Rebuilding memory - Need comprehensive history
  • Finding rare mentions - Names that appear infrequently
  • Distinguishing people - Same name, different people (e.g., two Camerons)
  • Deep research - Understanding full context of relationships

Performance Notes

  • Higher limits = more tokens consumed
  • Results are ranked by relevance
  • If fewer results exist than limit, returns all available
  • SQL-based search (fast even with high limits)

Pro Tips

  1. Start low, increase as needed - Begin with 10, bump to 50 if needed
  2. Use specific queries - "Cameron Letta" is better than just "Cameron"
  3. Check time_ago - Old results show how far back search reaches
  4. Combine with other tools - Use Grep for file content, conversation_search for message history

Discoveries Made Using High Limits

Search Limit Found
Rowan 50 Feb 22 privacy architecture exchange
Culurien 50 Feb 16 Discord conversation review
Cameron 50 29 results revealing BOTH Camerons
James Marotta 20 Cameron Rager's father connection

Created: March 20, 2026 Purpose: Document the power of the limit parameter for comprehensive memory reconstruction