Ninoxa Live Search adds an accessible, real-time AJAX-powered live search to your WordPress site. It supports multilingual sites via Polylang and WPML.
- Use a standard WordPress search form; results appear below the input.
- Min query: 3 chars. Shows configurable number of results (defaults to 10) + a “More results…” link.
- Manage plugin options from the Ninoxa Live Search admin menu.
- The default shortcut is Ctrl + /, and you can replace it with your own key combination or disable it completely.
- Optional type-to-search: when enabled, typing two characters outside any input focuses the search field and inserts the text. Works in Firefox even when find-as-you-type is enabled.
Features:
* Real-time search results as you type
* Frontend matching modes (keyword, any word, exact phrase, whole word, fuzzy) using the native WordPress search engine; fuzzy mode tolerates one-character typos via edit-distance-1 LIKE patterns
* AJAX-powered with nonce security
* Polylang and WPML compatible
* Accessible (ARIA attributes)
* Configurable keyboard shortcut
* Optional type-to-search (focus search when typing two characters outside any input; disabled by default; works in Firefox)
* Optional focus outline on the search field (can be turned off to keep the theme’s focus styles)
* Lightweight and fast
Keyboard Shortcuts
Global:
- Ctrl + / by default: Focus the Ninoxa Live Search input
- Keyboard shortcut can be customized or disabled from the Ninoxa Live Search admin menu
Type-to-search (opt-in):
- When enabled in settings, typing two printable characters in quick succession anywhere on the page (outside inputs, textareas, and contenteditable regions) focuses the search field and inserts the typed text
- Keys are captured before the browser, so this works in Firefox even when “Search for text when you start typing” is enabled
- A lone keypress is ignored, so accidental single-key bumps do not hijack focus
- Works alongside the keyboard shortcut above; disabled by default
- Inactive on touch-first devices
Search results:
- Arrow Up/Down: Navigate through search results
- Enter: Select highlighted result
- Escape: Close search results
- Tab: Move focus into the matching mode bar (keeps results open)
Matching modes (while the search field or results are focused):
- Alt+1, Alt+2, …: Select the matching mode in that position (shown as a number on each button)
- Arrow Left/Right: Move between matching modes when a mode button is focused
- Home/End: Jump to first / last mode
- Enter / Space: Activate the focused mode
- Escape: Return focus to the search input
Screenshots
Live search on the frontend with matching mode controls and instant results.
General settings: keyboard shortcut, type-to-search, and results limit.
Loading settings: spinner and light sweep animations.
Matching settings: enable modes and set the default matching behaviour.