# Native log reader?

**URL:** <https://discuss.elastic.co/t/native-log-reader/34495>\
**Category:** Logstash\
**Created:** [November 13, 2015, 8:35am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/native-log-reader/34495 "2015-11-13T08:35:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![ablanchet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/ablanchet/32/5892_2.png) [@ablanchet](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/ablanchet)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2015, 8:35am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/native-log-reader/34495/1 "2015-11-13T08:35:48Z")

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Hi guys,

I'm using Logstash, Elasticsearch and Kibana to process, store and visualize my logs.  
My setup works fine but now I'm looking for a new tool : before ELK is was used to read my logs on Notepad++ or Glogg (on Windows) and now I'm using only kibana discover tab.

Do you think I can find a native application that looks like a read-only Notepad++ that query Elasticsearch and display my logs like before ?  
The three features I actually need are : querying multiple sources logs, for a specified date range, and display it quickly to a concise and fast viewer.

I don't think it's very complicated to implement, so that's why i'm wondering 😄

Thanks for your help.

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**Author:** ![magnusbaeck](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/magnusbaeck/32/44943_2.png) [@magnusbaeck](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/magnusbaeck)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2015, 3:44pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/native-log-reader/34495/2 "2015-11-14T15:44:20Z")

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In what way is Kibana's discovery tab insufficient for your needs?

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**Author:** ![ablanchet](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/user_avatar/discuss.elastic.co/ablanchet/32/5892_2.png) [@ablanchet](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/ablanchet)\
**Post date:** [November 14, 2015, 7:42pm UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/native-log-reader/34495/3 "2015-11-14T19:42:11Z")

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Hi Magnus,

Actually I am more used to browse my logs in Notepad++ and thus having a more compact view of each lines than on the discover page.

I think I just encounter two main usability issues :

- see more than 500 log lines without refining my search.
- have a more compact view (no line wrapping, no margin or padding between lines, etc ...).

I did not found any tool yet and after a short research on Elasticsearch API I realize that it could be simpler to code a little super custom tool that fit my needs.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/elastic/original/3X/1/a/1ac57faf039f6b580b3f104ef42a2a89e41014de.png) [@system](https://discuss.elastic.co/u/system)\
**Post date:** [July 6, 2017, 5:22am UTC](https://discuss.elastic.co/t/native-log-reader/34495/4 "2017-07-06T05:22:48Z")

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