# search\_nodes v3.2.3

**Mercurial revision 5786:5c8b45563631 | 2026-08-04**

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## Description

`search_nodes` is a command-line tool that **prints the number of mesh nodes contained within a specified polygon**. 

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## Usage

```bash
search_nodes [OPTIONS] -m mesh -p polygon
```

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## Options


| Option         | Description                                                       |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `-h`, `--help` | Display this help message and exit.                               |
| `-m <file>`    | **Required.** Path to the mesh file.                              |
| `-p <file>`    | **Required.** Path to the polygon file defining the working area. |


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## Examples

### **Basic Usage**

Count the number of mesh nodes inside a polygon:

```bash
search_nodes -m mesh_file.nc -p polygon_file.txt
```

### **Using a Custom Mesh and Polygon**

Specify a custom mesh and polygon file:

```bash
search_nodes -m /path/to/mesh.nc -p /path/to/polygon.txt
```