> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.shovels.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How Shovels Online Works

> Learn how to use Shovels Online to search for building permits and contractors anywhere in the USA, including search functionality, permit statuses, and data export options.

Shovels Online is a powerful web-based tool to help you find building permits and contractors anywhere in the USA.

## Search Functionality

### How Does the Search Work?

The Shovels dashboard uses an **"AND" search logic**. When you select multiple search criteria, the results show permits that match ALL selected criteria, not just one or the other.

### Keyword Search

You can search by description keywords. This is useful for finding:

* Specific brand names (like Tesla)
* Building materials
* Equipment types (such as heat pumps)

<Info>
  The search system does not account for typos or terminology variations. Contractors may use different abbreviations (like "SFR" instead of "single family residence"), so keep this in mind when searching.
</Info>

### How Many Results Can I Browse?

A search always reports how many records match in total, but each plan limits how many of those you can page through:

| Plan       | Results you can browse per search |
| ---------- | --------------------------------- |
| Free       | 10                                |
| Paid plans | 100                               |

The match count itself is not limited, so a search can report tens of thousands of matches while you browse the first 10 or 100. Once you reach the limit, narrow your filters—by city instead of state, or a shorter date range—to bring the result set into view. Paid plans can also choose how many results appear per page.

To work with more records than you can browse, export the results to CSV or query the API. Both require a paid plan and are metered in credits, at one credit per record. See [shovels.ai/pricing](https://www.shovels.ai/pricing) for plan details.

## Permit Statuses

Permits in Shovels Online can have the following statuses:

| Status          | Meaning                                             |
| --------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Applied For** | The permit is in review                             |
| **Active**      | The permit has been approved                        |
| **Finaled**     | The permit is fully completed                       |
| **Inactive**    | No date changes observed for this permit in a while |

Learn more in our [permit status details](/docs/knowledge-base/data/permits/permit-statuses) article.

## Contractor Search

Search for contractors based on the types of permits they've pulled. The contractor search provides:

* Business names
* Total lifetime number of permits pulled
* Detailed contractor information (for subscribers)
* Contact information
* History of permits pulled

<Warning>
  Not all permits include contractor information. Some jurisdictions don't require contractors to provide their contact details.
</Warning>

## Permit Search

When viewing permits, you'll see:

* Permit status
* Address (when available)
* Detailed information about the work being done

Note that some permits may not have addresses—this is common with new construction permits where an address hasn't been assigned yet.

## Data Export

Paid plans can export search results as CSV files, covering the full set of matching records. Export is unavailable on the Free plan. Each exported record spends one credit.

## Contact Information

* **Support questions:** [support@shovels.ai](mailto:support@shovels.ai)
* **Sales inquiries:** [sales@shovels.ai](mailto:sales@shovels.ai)

## Related Articles

* [Free plan guide](/docs/knowledge-base/getting-started/free-trial-guide)
* [Search functionality](/docs/knowledge-base/shovels-online/search-functionality)
* [Filters and sorting](/docs/knowledge-base/shovels-online/filters-and-sorting)
* [Why am I getting so few results?](/docs/knowledge-base/data/quality/few-results)
* [How do I cancel my subscription?](/docs/knowledge-base/shovels-online/cancel-subscription)