---
title: "Recover from an empty search result"
description: "Verify that a no-match search shows a clear empty state and that clearing the query restores the original records without a reload."
canonical_url: "https://vostride.com/agent-library/search-filtering/empty-results-recovery.md"
md_url: "https://vostride.com/agent-library/search-filtering/empty-results-recovery.md"
content_kind: "recipe"
topic: "search-filtering"
---

# Recover from an empty search result

Verify that a no-match search shows a clear empty state and that clearing the query restores the original records without a reload.

## Risk

An empty state can leave stale pagination, stale selection, or a disabled search input. The recovery path matters because a failed query should not strand an otherwise valid workspace.

## Fixtures

- A dedicated catalog contains three test products with unique names and recorded identifiers.
- The unmatched token zz-no-catalog-match-492 is absent from every searchable field in this catalog.
- The initial catalog count and first visible product are recorded independently by the fixture seed.

## Steps

1. Open the catalog and verify the expected initial count and the seeded first product are visible.
2. Search for the unmatched token and verify the results area explicitly reports no matches rather than remaining indefinitely busy.
3. Verify no previous product row or selectable stale row remains in the results area.
4. Use the product clear-search control and verify the input becomes empty and all three products return.
5. Open one restored product and verify its detail identifier agrees with the seed inventory.

## Expected results

- The zero-result view contains no item cards from the previous result set.
- The restored count equals the original three products without manually reloading the browser.
- A restored result links to a real seeded product detail, demonstrating that recovery restored usable state.

## False-pass traps

- An invisible loading overlay can hide old rows; a screenshot of blank space alone is not an empty-state assertion.
- Typing a shorter query is not equivalent to exercising the dedicated clear control.

## Cleanup

- Delete the dedicated catalog fixtures and reset saved search preferences.

## 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 first test](/docs/agent-qa/guides/first-test.md)
- [agent-qa web testing](/docs/agent-qa/guides/web-testing.md)

- [Search and filtering QA recipes](/agent-library/search-filtering.md)
- [Software factory QA library](/agent-library.md)