---
title: "Verify catalog search finds the exact SKU without confusing similar products"
description: "Search a controlled catalog by a unique SKU and compare the result identity, variant, price, and detail destination with neighboring similar fixtures."
canonical_url: "https://vostride.com/agent-library/product-catalog/search-exact-sku.md"
md_url: "https://vostride.com/agent-library/product-catalog/search-exact-sku.md"
content_kind: "recipe"
topic: "product-catalog"
---

# Verify catalog search finds the exact SKU without confusing similar products

Search a controlled catalog by a unique SKU and compare the result identity, variant, price, and detail destination with neighboring similar fixtures.

## Risk

Product names and images can be nearly identical across variants or editions. Exact identifier search needs a fixture with plausible near matches so a broad first-result match cannot pass while selecting the wrong merchandise.

## Fixtures

- Three sandbox products with similar names and distinct SKU identifiers, including one exact target.
- A known searchable-SKU policy and an index-readiness hook for all three fixture records.
- Independent product identifiers, variant attributes, and prices available through a read-only catalog hook.

## Steps

1. Wait for the catalog readiness hook to confirm all fixture products are searchable, then open the storefront search interface.
2. Enter the exact target SKU and verify the documented matching behavior, including whether near matches are also shown.
3. Identify the target result by SKU or its unique variant attributes and verify its displayed price and availability.
4. Open that result and verify the detail page stable product identity and selected variant match the target fixture.
5. Return to results and search a nonexistent controlled SKU; verify the no-results behavior rather than receiving the previous result as stale content.

## Expected results

- The exact SKU query exposes the intended product or variant under the documented search contract.
- Result navigation opens the matching stable catalog identity.
- A subsequent nonexistent query clears previous matches and shows the correct empty state.

## False-pass traps

- The first product with a similar name is not sufficient evidence of an exact-SKU match.
- Missing index readiness can make an otherwise correct search appear broken.

## Cleanup

- Remove run-owned catalog products from the test index if setup created them.

## Use with agent-qa

Adapt this test design to your application's acceptance criteria and configured target using the [recipe execution guide](/agent-library/software-factory/turn-a-recipe-into-an-agent-qa-test.md). External fixture setup and non-UI checks require your own supported hooks or test tooling. Validate the authored test, execute it, and inspect the completed evidence; this recipe is not a recorded test result.

## References

- [agent-qa test](/docs/agent-qa/configuration/test.md)
- [agent-qa hooks](/docs/agent-qa/guides/hooks.md)
- [agent-qa auth state](/docs/agent-qa/guides/auth-state.md)

- [Product catalog QA recipes](/agent-library/product-catalog.md)
- [Software factory QA library](/agent-library.md)