diff --git a/pylib/anki/collection.py b/pylib/anki/collection.py
index b493835aa..e2b5c293b 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/collection.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/collection.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ import sys
 import time
 import traceback
 import weakref
-from typing import Any, List, Optional, Sequence, Tuple, Union
+from typing import Any, List, Literal, Optional, Sequence, Tuple, Union
 
 import anki._backend.backend_pb2 as _pb
 import anki.find
@@ -43,7 +43,8 @@ from anki.utils import (
 )
 
 # public exports
-SearchTerm = _pb.SearchTerm
+SearchNode = _pb.SearchNode
+SearchJoiner = Literal["AND", "OR"]
 Progress = _pb.Progress
 Config = _pb.Config
 EmptyCardsReport = _pb.EmptyCardsReport
@@ -471,7 +472,7 @@ class Collection:
             )
         return self._backend.search_cards(search=query, order=mode)
 
-    def find_notes(self, *terms: Union[str, SearchTerm]) -> Sequence[int]:
+    def find_notes(self, *terms: Union[str, SearchNode]) -> Sequence[int]:
         return self._backend.search_notes(self.build_search_string(*terms))
 
     def find_and_replace(
@@ -487,7 +488,7 @@ class Collection:
 
     # returns array of ("dupestr", [nids])
     def findDupes(self, fieldName: str, search: str = "") -> List[Tuple[Any, list]]:
-        nids = self.findNotes(search, SearchTerm(field_name=fieldName))
+        nids = self.findNotes(search, SearchNode(field_name=fieldName))
         # go through notes
         vals: Dict[str, List[int]] = {}
         dupes = []
@@ -526,38 +527,85 @@ class Collection:
     # Search Strings
     ##########################################################################
 
-    # pylint: disable=no-member
     def build_search_string(
         self,
-        *terms: Union[str, SearchTerm],
-        negate: bool = False,
-        match_any: bool = False,
+        *nodes: Union[str, SearchNode],
+        joiner: SearchJoiner = "AND",
     ) -> str:
-        """Helper function for the backend's search string operations.
+        """Join one or more searches, and return a normalized search string.
 
-        Pass terms as strings to normalize.
-        Pass fields of backend.proto/FilterToSearchIn as valid SearchTerms.
-        Pass multiple terms to concatenate (defaults to 'and', 'or' when 'match_any=True').
-        Pass 'negate=True' to negate the end result.
-        May raise InvalidInput.
+        To negate, wrap in a negated search term:
+
+            term = SearchNode(negated=col.group_searches(...))
+
+        Invalid searches will throw an exception.
         """
+        term = self.group_searches(*nodes, joiner=joiner)
+        return self._backend.build_search_string(term)
 
-        searches = []
-        for term in terms:
-            if isinstance(term, SearchTerm):
-                term = self._backend.filter_to_search(term)
-            searches.append(term)
-        if match_any:
-            sep = _pb.ConcatenateSearchesIn.OR
+    def group_searches(
+        self,
+        *nodes: Union[str, SearchNode],
+        joiner: SearchJoiner = "AND",
+    ) -> SearchNode:
+        """Join provided search nodes and strings into a single SearchNode.
+        If a single SearchNode is provided, it is returned as-is.
+        At least one node must be provided.
+        """
+        assert nodes
+
+        # convert raw text to SearchNodes
+        search_nodes = [
+            node if isinstance(node, SearchNode) else SearchNode(parsable_text=node)
+            for node in nodes
+        ]
+
+        # if there's more than one, wrap them in a group
+        if len(search_nodes) > 1:
+            return SearchNode(
+                group=SearchNode.Group(
+                    nodes=search_nodes, joiner=self._pb_search_separator(joiner)
+                )
+            )
         else:
-            sep = _pb.ConcatenateSearchesIn.AND
-        search_string = self._backend.concatenate_searches(sep=sep, searches=searches)
-        if negate:
-            search_string = self._backend.negate_search(search_string)
+            return search_nodes[0]
+
+    def join_searches(
+        self,
+        existing_node: SearchNode,
+        additional_node: SearchNode,
+        operator: Literal["AND", "OR"],
+    ) -> str:
+        """
+        AND or OR `additional_term` to `existing_term`, without wrapping `existing_term` in brackets.
+        Used by the Browse screen to avoid adding extra brackets when joining.
+        If you're building a search query yourself, you probably don't need this.
+        """
+        search_string = self._backend.join_search_nodes(
+            joiner=self._pb_search_separator(operator),
+            existing_node=existing_node,
+            additional_node=additional_node,
+        )
+
         return search_string
 
-    def replace_search_term(self, search: str, replacement: str) -> str:
-        return self._backend.replace_search_term(search=search, replacement=replacement)
+    def replace_in_search_node(
+        self, existing_node: SearchNode, replacement_node: SearchNode
+    ) -> str:
+        """If nodes of the same type as `replacement_node` are found in existing_node, replace them.
+
+        You can use this to replace any "deck" clauses in a search with a different deck for example.
+        """
+        return self._backend.replace_search_node(
+            existing_node=existing_node, replacement_node=replacement_node
+        )
+
+    def _pb_search_separator(self, operator: SearchJoiner) -> SearchNode.Group.Joiner.V:
+        # pylint: disable=no-member
+        if operator == "AND":
+            return SearchNode.Group.Joiner.AND
+        else:
+            return SearchNode.Group.Joiner.OR
 
     # Config
     ##########################################################################
diff --git a/pylib/anki/tags.py b/pylib/anki/tags.py
index 686cd6ad7..73715fa7e 100644
--- a/pylib/anki/tags.py
+++ b/pylib/anki/tags.py
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ class TagManager:
 
     def rename(self, old: str, new: str) -> int:
         "Rename provided tag, returning number of changed notes."
-        nids = self.col.find_notes(anki.collection.SearchTerm(tag=old))
+        nids = self.col.find_notes(anki.collection.SearchNode(tag=old))
         if not nids:
             return 0
         escaped_name = re.sub(r"[*_\\]", r"\\\g<0>", old)
diff --git a/pylib/rsbridge/lib.rs b/pylib/rsbridge/lib.rs
index ceeff9738..a7c2ffc5b 100644
--- a/pylib/rsbridge/lib.rs
+++ b/pylib/rsbridge/lib.rs
@@ -51,11 +51,9 @@ fn want_release_gil(method: u32) -> bool {
                 | BackendMethod::LatestProgress
                 | BackendMethod::SetWantsAbort
                 | BackendMethod::I18nResources
-                | BackendMethod::NormalizeSearch
-                | BackendMethod::NegateSearch
-                | BackendMethod::ConcatenateSearches
-                | BackendMethod::ReplaceSearchTerm
-                | BackendMethod::FilterToSearch
+                | BackendMethod::JoinSearchNodes
+                | BackendMethod::ReplaceSearchNode
+                | BackendMethod::BuildSearchString
         )
     } else {
         false
diff --git a/qt/.pylintrc b/qt/.pylintrc
index 9084c2f85..3507ed84c 100644
--- a/qt/.pylintrc
+++ b/qt/.pylintrc
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ ignore = forms,hooks_gen.py
 [TYPECHECK]
 ignored-modules=win32file,pywintypes,socket,win32pipe,winrt,pyaudio
 ignored-classes=
-  SearchTerm,
+  SearchNode,
   Config,
 
 [REPORTS]
diff --git a/qt/aqt/addcards.py b/qt/aqt/addcards.py
index 9f695ea20..c719d4bbb 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/addcards.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/addcards.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import aqt.deckchooser
 import aqt.editor
 import aqt.forms
 import aqt.modelchooser
-from anki.collection import SearchTerm
+from anki.collection import SearchNode
 from anki.consts import MODEL_CLOZE
 from anki.notes import Note
 from anki.utils import htmlToTextLine, isMac
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ class AddCards(QDialog):
     def onHistory(self) -> None:
         m = QMenu(self)
         for nid in self.history:
-            if self.mw.col.findNotes(SearchTerm(nid=nid)):
+            if self.mw.col.findNotes(SearchNode(nid=nid)):
                 note = self.mw.col.getNote(nid)
                 fields = note.fields
                 txt = htmlToTextLine(", ".join(fields))
@@ -161,7 +161,7 @@ class AddCards(QDialog):
         m.exec_(self.historyButton.mapToGlobal(QPoint(0, 0)))
 
     def editHistory(self, nid: int) -> None:
-        aqt.dialogs.open("Browser", self.mw, search=(SearchTerm(nid=nid),))
+        aqt.dialogs.open("Browser", self.mw, search=(SearchNode(nid=nid),))
 
     def addNote(self, note: Note) -> Optional[Note]:
         note.model()["did"] = self.deckChooser.selectedId()
diff --git a/qt/aqt/browser.py b/qt/aqt/browser.py
index b293c44f1..23703342b 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/browser.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/browser.py
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ from typing import Any, Callable, Dict, List, Optional, Sequence, Tuple, Union,
 import aqt
 import aqt.forms
 from anki.cards import Card
-from anki.collection import Collection, Config, SearchTerm
+from anki.collection import Collection, Config, SearchNode
 from anki.consts import *
 from anki.errors import InvalidInput
 from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
@@ -442,7 +442,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
         self,
         mw: AnkiQt,
         card: Optional[Card] = None,
-        search: Optional[Tuple[Union[str, SearchTerm]]] = None,
+        search: Optional[Tuple[Union[str, SearchNode]]] = None,
     ) -> None:
         """
         card  : try to search for its note and select it
@@ -615,7 +615,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
         self,
         _mw: AnkiQt,
         card: Optional[Card] = None,
-        search: Optional[Tuple[Union[str, SearchTerm]]] = None,
+        search: Optional[Tuple[Union[str, SearchNode]]] = None,
     ) -> None:
         if search is not None:
             self.search_for_terms(*search)
@@ -630,7 +630,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
     def setupSearch(
         self,
         card: Optional[Card] = None,
-        search: Optional[Tuple[Union[str, SearchTerm]]] = None,
+        search: Optional[Tuple[Union[str, SearchNode]]] = None,
     ) -> None:
         qconnect(self.form.searchEdit.lineEdit().returnPressed, self.onSearchActivated)
         self.form.searchEdit.setCompleter(None)
@@ -644,7 +644,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
             self.show_single_card(card)
         else:
             self.search_for(
-                self.col.build_search_string(SearchTerm(deck="current")), ""
+                self.col.build_search_string(SearchNode(deck="current")), ""
             )
         self.form.searchEdit.setFocus()
 
@@ -707,7 +707,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
         )
         return selected
 
-    def search_for_terms(self, *search_terms: Union[str, SearchTerm]) -> None:
+    def search_for_terms(self, *search_terms: Union[str, SearchNode]) -> None:
         search = self.col.build_search_string(*search_terms)
         self.form.searchEdit.setEditText(search)
         self.onSearchActivated()
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ class Browser(QMainWindow):
 
             def on_show_single_card() -> None:
                 self.card = card
-                search = self.col.build_search_string(SearchTerm(nid=card.nid))
+                search = self.col.build_search_string(SearchNode(nid=card.nid))
                 search = gui_hooks.default_search(search, card)
                 self.search_for(search, "")
                 self.focusCid(card.id)
@@ -1407,7 +1407,7 @@ where id in %s"""
         tv.selectionModel().clear()
 
         search = self.col.build_search_string(
-            SearchTerm(nids=SearchTerm.IdList(ids=nids))
+            SearchNode(nids=SearchNode.IdList(ids=nids))
         )
         self.search_for(search)
 
@@ -1626,7 +1626,7 @@ where id in %s"""
                 % (
                     html.escape(
                         self.col.build_search_string(
-                            SearchTerm(nids=SearchTerm.IdList(ids=nids))
+                            SearchNode(nids=SearchNode.IdList(ids=nids))
                         )
                     ),
                     tr(TR.BROWSING_NOTE_COUNT, count=len(nids)),
diff --git a/qt/aqt/customstudy.py b/qt/aqt/customstudy.py
index 8f85c7ddf..5533b7178 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/customstudy.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/customstudy.py
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 # License: GNU AGPL, version 3 or later; http://www.gnu.org/licenses/agpl.html
 
 import aqt
-from anki.collection import SearchTerm
+from anki.collection import SearchNode
 from anki.consts import *
 from aqt.qt import *
 from aqt.utils import TR, disable_help_button, showInfo, showWarning, tr
@@ -164,20 +164,20 @@ class CustomStudy(QDialog):
         # and then set various options
         if i == RADIO_FORGOT:
             search = self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-                SearchTerm(
-                    rated=SearchTerm.Rated(days=spin, rating=SearchTerm.RATING_AGAIN)
+                SearchNode(
+                    rated=SearchNode.Rated(days=spin, rating=SearchNode.RATING_AGAIN)
                 )
             )
             dyn["terms"][0] = [search, DYN_MAX_SIZE, DYN_RANDOM]
             dyn["resched"] = False
         elif i == RADIO_AHEAD:
-            search = self.mw.col.build_search_string(SearchTerm(due_in_days=spin))
+            search = self.mw.col.build_search_string(SearchNode(due_in_days=spin))
             dyn["terms"][0] = [search, DYN_MAX_SIZE, DYN_DUE]
             dyn["resched"] = True
         elif i == RADIO_PREVIEW:
             search = self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-                SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_NEW),
-                SearchTerm(added_in_days=spin),
+                SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_NEW),
+                SearchNode(added_in_days=spin),
             )
             dyn["terms"][0] = [search, DYN_MAX_SIZE, DYN_OLDEST]
             dyn["resched"] = False
@@ -185,19 +185,19 @@ class CustomStudy(QDialog):
             type = f.cardType.currentRow()
             if type == TYPE_NEW:
                 terms = self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-                    SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_NEW)
+                    SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_NEW)
                 )
                 ord = DYN_ADDED
                 dyn["resched"] = True
             elif type == TYPE_DUE:
                 terms = self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-                    SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_DUE)
+                    SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_DUE)
                 )
                 ord = DYN_DUE
                 dyn["resched"] = True
             elif type == TYPE_REVIEW:
                 terms = self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-                    SearchTerm(negated=SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_NEW))
+                    SearchNode(negated=SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_NEW))
                 )
                 ord = DYN_RANDOM
                 dyn["resched"] = True
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ class CustomStudy(QDialog):
             dyn["terms"][0] = [(terms + tags).strip(), spin, ord]
         # add deck limit
         dyn["terms"][0][0] = self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-            dyn["terms"][0][0], SearchTerm(deck=self.deck["name"])
+            dyn["terms"][0][0], SearchNode(deck=self.deck["name"])
         )
         self.mw.col.decks.save(dyn)
         # generate cards
diff --git a/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py b/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py
index 0904f58ca..8c88df964 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/dyndeckconf.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 from typing import Callable, List, Optional
 
 import aqt
-from anki.collection import SearchTerm
+from anki.collection import SearchNode
 from anki.decks import Deck, DeckRenameError
 from anki.errors import InvalidInput
 from anki.lang import without_unicode_isolation
@@ -111,14 +111,14 @@ class DeckConf(QDialog):
     def set_default_searches(self, deck_name: str) -> None:
         self.form.search.setText(
             self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-                SearchTerm(deck=deck_name),
-                SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_DUE),
+                SearchNode(deck=deck_name),
+                SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_DUE),
             )
         )
         self.form.search_2.setText(
             self.mw.col.build_search_string(
-                SearchTerm(deck=deck_name),
-                SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_NEW),
+                SearchNode(deck=deck_name),
+                SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_NEW),
             )
         )
 
diff --git a/qt/aqt/editor.py b/qt/aqt/editor.py
index ee0fe2e47..1a5a54bf6 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/editor.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/editor.py
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ from bs4 import BeautifulSoup
 import aqt
 import aqt.sound
 from anki.cards import Card
-from anki.collection import SearchTerm
+from anki.collection import SearchNode
 from anki.consts import MODEL_CLOZE
 from anki.hooks import runFilter
 from anki.httpclient import HttpClient
@@ -546,8 +546,8 @@ class Editor:
             "Browser",
             self.mw,
             search=(
-                SearchTerm(
-                    dupe=SearchTerm.Dupe(
+                SearchNode(
+                    dupe=SearchNode.Dupe(
                         notetype_id=self.note.model()["id"],
                         first_field=self.note.fields[0],
                     )
diff --git a/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py b/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py
index 01f049a7c..017eb2eab 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/mediacheck.py
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ from concurrent.futures import Future
 from typing import Iterable, List, Optional, Sequence, TypeVar
 
 import aqt
-from anki.collection import SearchTerm
+from anki.collection import SearchNode
 from anki.errors import Interrupted
 from anki.lang import TR
 from anki.media import CheckMediaOut
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ class MediaChecker:
 
         if out is not None:
             nid, err = out
-            aqt.dialogs.open("Browser", self.mw, search=(SearchTerm(nid=nid),))
+            aqt.dialogs.open("Browser", self.mw, search=(SearchNode(nid=nid),))
             showText(err, type="html")
         else:
             tooltip(tr(TR.MEDIA_CHECK_ALL_LATEX_RENDERED))
diff --git a/qt/aqt/sidebar.py b/qt/aqt/sidebar.py
index f29e14def..60a0ebc69 100644
--- a/qt/aqt/sidebar.py
+++ b/qt/aqt/sidebar.py
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ from enum import Enum, auto
 from typing import Any, Dict, Iterable, List, Optional, Sequence, Tuple, cast
 
 import aqt
-from anki.collection import Config, SearchTerm
+from anki.collection import Config, SearchNode
 from anki.decks import DeckTreeNode
 from anki.errors import DeckRenameError, InvalidInput
 from anki.tags import TagTreeNode
@@ -391,20 +391,28 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
                 if item.is_expanded(searching):
                     self.setExpanded(idx, True)
 
-    def update_search(self, *terms: Union[str, SearchTerm]) -> None:
-        """Modify the current search string based on modified keys, then refresh."""
+    def update_search(self, *terms: Union[str, SearchNode]) -> None:
+        """Modify the current search string based on modifier keys, then refresh."""
+        mods = self.mw.app.keyboardModifiers()
+        previous = SearchNode(parsable_text=self.browser.current_search())
+        current = self.mw.col.group_searches(*terms)
+
+        # if Alt pressed, invert
+        if mods & Qt.AltModifier:
+            current = SearchNode(negated=current)
+
         try:
-            search = self.col.build_search_string(*terms)
-            mods = self.mw.app.keyboardModifiers()
-            if mods & Qt.AltModifier:
-                search = self.col.build_search_string(search, negate=True)
-            current = self.browser.current_search()
             if mods & Qt.ControlModifier and mods & Qt.ShiftModifier:
-                search = self.col.replace_search_term(current, search)
+                # If Ctrl+Shift, replace searches nodes of the same type.
+                search = self.col.replace_in_search_node(previous, current)
             elif mods & Qt.ControlModifier:
-                search = self.col.build_search_string(current, search)
+                # If Ctrl, AND with previous
+                search = self.col.join_searches(previous, current, "AND")
             elif mods & Qt.ShiftModifier:
-                search = self.col.build_search_string(current, search, match_any=True)
+                # If Shift, OR with previous
+                search = self.col.join_searches(previous, current, "OR")
+            else:
+                search = self.col.build_search_string(current)
         except InvalidInput as e:
             show_invalid_search_error(e)
         else:
@@ -589,8 +597,8 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
 
         return top
 
-    def _filter_func(self, *terms: Union[str, SearchTerm]) -> Callable:
-        return lambda: self.update_search(self.col.build_search_string(*terms))
+    def _filter_func(self, *terms: Union[str, SearchNode]) -> Callable:
+        return lambda: self.update_search(*terms)
 
     # Tree: Saved Searches
     ###########################
@@ -640,33 +648,33 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             name=TR.BROWSING_SIDEBAR_DUE_TODAY,
             icon=icon,
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(due_on_day=0)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(due_on_day=0)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.BROWSING_ADDED_TODAY,
             icon=icon,
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(added_in_days=1)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(added_in_days=1)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.BROWSING_EDITED_TODAY,
             icon=icon,
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(edited_in_days=1)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(edited_in_days=1)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.BROWSING_STUDIED_TODAY,
             icon=icon,
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(rated=SearchTerm.Rated(days=1))),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(rated=SearchNode.Rated(days=1))),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.BROWSING_AGAIN_TODAY,
             icon=icon,
             type=type,
             on_click=search(
-                SearchTerm(
-                    rated=SearchTerm.Rated(days=1, rating=SearchTerm.RATING_AGAIN)
+                SearchNode(
+                    rated=SearchNode.Rated(days=1, rating=SearchNode.RATING_AGAIN)
                 )
             ),
         )
@@ -675,8 +683,8 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             icon=icon,
             type=type,
             on_click=search(
-                SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_DUE),
-                SearchTerm(negated=SearchTerm(due_on_day=0)),
+                SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_DUE),
+                SearchNode(negated=SearchNode(due_on_day=0)),
             ),
         )
 
@@ -699,32 +707,32 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             TR.ACTIONS_NEW,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.NEW_COUNT),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_NEW)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_NEW)),
         )
 
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.SCHEDULING_LEARNING,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.LEARN_COUNT),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_LEARN)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_LEARN)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.SCHEDULING_REVIEW,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.REVIEW_COUNT),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_REVIEW)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_REVIEW)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.BROWSING_SUSPENDED,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.SUSPENDED_FG),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_SUSPENDED)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_SUSPENDED)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             name=TR.BROWSING_BURIED,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.BURIED_FG),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(card_state=SearchTerm.CARD_STATE_BURIED)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(card_state=SearchNode.CARD_STATE_BURIED)),
         )
 
     # Tree: Flags
@@ -740,38 +748,38 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             collapse_key=Config.Bool.COLLAPSE_FLAGS,
             type=SidebarItemType.FLAG_ROOT,
         )
-        root.on_click = search(SearchTerm(flag=SearchTerm.FLAG_ANY))
+        root.on_click = search(SearchNode(flag=SearchNode.FLAG_ANY))
 
         type = SidebarItemType.FLAG
         root.add_simple(
             TR.ACTIONS_RED_FLAG,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.FLAG1_FG),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(flag=SearchTerm.FLAG_RED)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(flag=SearchNode.FLAG_RED)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             TR.ACTIONS_ORANGE_FLAG,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.FLAG2_FG),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(flag=SearchTerm.FLAG_ORANGE)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(flag=SearchNode.FLAG_ORANGE)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             TR.ACTIONS_GREEN_FLAG,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.FLAG3_FG),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(flag=SearchTerm.FLAG_GREEN)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(flag=SearchNode.FLAG_GREEN)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             TR.ACTIONS_BLUE_FLAG,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.FLAG4_FG),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(flag=SearchTerm.FLAG_BLUE)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(flag=SearchNode.FLAG_BLUE)),
         )
         root.add_simple(
             TR.BROWSING_NO_FLAG,
             icon=icon.with_color(colors.DISABLED),
             type=type,
-            on_click=search(SearchTerm(flag=SearchTerm.FLAG_NONE)),
+            on_click=search(SearchNode(flag=SearchNode.FLAG_NONE)),
         )
 
     # Tree: Tags
@@ -794,7 +802,7 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
                 item = SidebarItem(
                     node.name,
                     icon,
-                    self._filter_func(SearchTerm(tag=head + node.name)),
+                    self._filter_func(SearchNode(tag=head + node.name)),
                     toggle_expand(),
                     node.expanded,
                     item_type=SidebarItemType.TAG,
@@ -812,12 +820,12 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             collapse_key=Config.Bool.COLLAPSE_TAGS,
             type=SidebarItemType.TAG_ROOT,
         )
-        root.on_click = self._filter_func(SearchTerm(negated=SearchTerm(tag="none")))
+        root.on_click = self._filter_func(SearchNode(negated=SearchNode(tag="none")))
         root.add_simple(
             name=tr(TR.BROWSING_SIDEBAR_UNTAGGED),
             icon=icon,
             type=SidebarItemType.TAG_NONE,
-            on_click=self._filter_func(SearchTerm(tag="none")),
+            on_click=self._filter_func(SearchNode(tag="none")),
         )
 
         render(root, tree.children)
@@ -840,7 +848,7 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
                 item = SidebarItem(
                     node.name,
                     icon,
-                    self._filter_func(SearchTerm(deck=head + node.name)),
+                    self._filter_func(SearchNode(deck=head + node.name)),
                     toggle_expand(),
                     not node.collapsed,
                     item_type=SidebarItemType.DECK,
@@ -859,12 +867,12 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             collapse_key=Config.Bool.COLLAPSE_DECKS,
             type=SidebarItemType.DECK_ROOT,
         )
-        root.on_click = self._filter_func(SearchTerm(deck="*"))
+        root.on_click = self._filter_func(SearchNode(deck="*"))
         current = root.add_simple(
             name=tr(TR.BROWSING_CURRENT_DECK),
             icon=icon,
             type=SidebarItemType.DECK,
-            on_click=self._filter_func(SearchTerm(deck="current")),
+            on_click=self._filter_func(SearchNode(deck="current")),
         )
         current.id = self.mw.col.decks.selected()
 
@@ -887,7 +895,7 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
             item = SidebarItem(
                 nt["name"],
                 icon,
-                self._filter_func(SearchTerm(note=nt["name"])),
+                self._filter_func(SearchNode(note=nt["name"])),
                 item_type=SidebarItemType.NOTETYPE,
                 id=nt["id"],
             )
@@ -897,7 +905,7 @@ class SidebarTreeView(QTreeView):
                     tmpl["name"],
                     icon,
                     self._filter_func(
-                        SearchTerm(note=nt["name"]), SearchTerm(template=c)
+                        SearchNode(note=nt["name"]), SearchNode(template=c)
                     ),
                     item_type=SidebarItemType.NOTETYPE_TEMPLATE,
                     full_name=f"{nt['name']}::{tmpl['name']}",
diff --git a/rslib/backend.proto b/rslib/backend.proto
index da55c24ee..d5cf19d59 100644
--- a/rslib/backend.proto
+++ b/rslib/backend.proto
@@ -90,13 +90,11 @@ service BackendService {
 
   // searching
 
-  rpc FilterToSearch(SearchTerm) returns (String);
-  rpc NormalizeSearch(String) returns (String);
+  rpc BuildSearchString(SearchNode) returns (String);
   rpc SearchCards(SearchCardsIn) returns (SearchCardsOut);
   rpc SearchNotes(SearchNotesIn) returns (SearchNotesOut);
-  rpc NegateSearch(String) returns (String);
-  rpc ConcatenateSearches(ConcatenateSearchesIn) returns (String);
-  rpc ReplaceSearchTerm(ReplaceSearchTermIn) returns (String);
+  rpc JoinSearchNodes(JoinSearchNodesIn) returns (String);
+  rpc ReplaceSearchNode(ReplaceSearchNodeIn) returns (String);
   rpc FindAndReplace(FindAndReplaceIn) returns (UInt32);
 
   // scheduling
@@ -773,7 +771,7 @@ message SearchNotesOut {
   repeated int64 note_ids = 2;
 }
 
-message SearchTerm {
+message SearchNode {
   message Dupe {
     int64 notetype_id = 1;
     string first_field = 2;
@@ -809,10 +807,18 @@ message SearchTerm {
   message IdList {
     repeated int64 ids = 1;
   }
+  message Group {
+    enum Joiner {
+      AND = 0;
+      OR = 1;
+    }
+    repeated SearchNode nodes = 1;
+    Joiner joiner = 2;
+  }
   oneof filter {
-    string tag = 1;
-    string deck = 2;
-    string note = 3;
+    Group group = 1;
+    SearchNode negated = 2;
+    string parsable_text = 3;
     uint32 template = 4;
     int64 nid = 5;
     Dupe dupe = 6;
@@ -824,23 +830,22 @@ message SearchTerm {
     CardState card_state = 12;
     IdList nids = 13;
     uint32 edited_in_days = 14;
-    SearchTerm negated = 15;
+    string deck = 15;
     int32 due_on_day = 16;
+    string tag = 17;
+    string note = 18;
   }
 }
 
-message ConcatenateSearchesIn {
-  enum Separator {
-    AND = 0;
-    OR = 1;
-  }
-  Separator sep = 1;
-  repeated string searches = 2;
+message JoinSearchNodesIn {
+  SearchNode.Group.Joiner joiner = 1;
+  SearchNode existing_node = 2;
+  SearchNode additional_node = 3;
 }
 
-message ReplaceSearchTermIn {
-  string search = 1;
-  string replacement = 2;
+message ReplaceSearchNodeIn {
+  SearchNode existing_node = 1;
+  SearchNode replacement_node = 2;
 }
 
 message CloseCollectionIn {
diff --git a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
index 95334ca76..8374daafb 100644
--- a/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/backend/mod.rs
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ use crate::{
     backend::dbproxy::db_command_bytes,
     backend_proto as pb,
     backend_proto::{
-        concatenate_searches_in::Separator as BoolSeparatorProto,
         sort_order::builtin::Kind as SortKindProto, sort_order::Value as SortOrderProto,
         AddOrUpdateDeckConfigLegacyIn, BackendResult, Empty, RenderedTemplateReplacement,
     },
@@ -38,9 +37,8 @@ use crate::{
         timespan::{answer_button_time, time_span},
     },
     search::{
-        concatenate_searches, negate_search, normalize_search, replace_search_term, write_nodes,
-        BoolSeparator, Node, PropertyKind, RatingKind, SearchNode, SortMode, StateKind,
-        TemplateKind,
+        concatenate_searches, parse_search, replace_search_node, write_nodes, BoolSeparator, Node,
+        PropertyKind, RatingKind, SearchNode, SortMode, StateKind, TemplateKind,
     },
     stats::studied_today,
     sync::{
@@ -55,14 +53,15 @@ use crate::{
 };
 use fluent::FluentValue;
 use futures::future::{AbortHandle, AbortRegistration, Abortable};
+use itertools::Itertools;
 use log::error;
 use once_cell::sync::OnceCell;
 use pb::{sync_status_out, BackendService};
 use prost::Message;
 use serde_json::Value as JsonValue;
 use slog::warn;
-use std::collections::HashSet;
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
+use std::{collections::HashSet, convert::TryInto};
 use std::{
     result,
     sync::{Arc, Mutex},
@@ -267,7 +266,7 @@ impl From<pb::NoteId> for NoteID {
     }
 }
 
-impl pb::search_term::IdList {
+impl pb::search_node::IdList {
     fn into_id_string(self) -> String {
         self.ids
             .iter()
@@ -295,40 +294,34 @@ impl From<pb::DeckConfigId> for DeckConfID {
     }
 }
 
-impl From<pb::SearchTerm> for Node<'_> {
-    fn from(msg: pb::SearchTerm) -> Self {
-        use pb::search_term::Filter;
-        use pb::search_term::Flag;
-        if let Some(filter) = msg.filter {
+impl TryFrom<pb::SearchNode> for Node {
+    type Error = AnkiError;
+
+    fn try_from(msg: pb::SearchNode) -> std::result::Result<Self, Self::Error> {
+        use pb::search_node::group::Joiner;
+        use pb::search_node::Filter;
+        use pb::search_node::Flag;
+        Ok(if let Some(filter) = msg.filter {
             match filter {
-                Filter::Tag(s) => Node::Search(SearchNode::Tag(
-                    escape_anki_wildcards(&s).into_owned().into(),
-                )),
-                Filter::Deck(s) => Node::Search(SearchNode::Deck(
-                    if s == "*" {
-                        s
-                    } else {
-                        escape_anki_wildcards(&s).into_owned()
-                    }
-                    .into(),
-                )),
-                Filter::Note(s) => Node::Search(SearchNode::NoteType(
-                    escape_anki_wildcards(&s).into_owned().into(),
-                )),
+                Filter::Tag(s) => Node::Search(SearchNode::Tag(escape_anki_wildcards(&s))),
+                Filter::Deck(s) => Node::Search(SearchNode::Deck(if s == "*" {
+                    s
+                } else {
+                    escape_anki_wildcards(&s)
+                })),
+                Filter::Note(s) => Node::Search(SearchNode::NoteType(escape_anki_wildcards(&s))),
                 Filter::Template(u) => {
                     Node::Search(SearchNode::CardTemplate(TemplateKind::Ordinal(u as u16)))
                 }
-                Filter::Nid(nid) => Node::Search(SearchNode::NoteIDs(nid.to_string().into())),
-                Filter::Nids(nids) => {
-                    Node::Search(SearchNode::NoteIDs(nids.into_id_string().into()))
-                }
+                Filter::Nid(nid) => Node::Search(SearchNode::NoteIDs(nid.to_string())),
+                Filter::Nids(nids) => Node::Search(SearchNode::NoteIDs(nids.into_id_string())),
                 Filter::Dupe(dupe) => Node::Search(SearchNode::Duplicates {
                     note_type_id: dupe.notetype_id.into(),
-                    text: dupe.first_field.into(),
+                    text: dupe.first_field,
                 }),
                 Filter::FieldName(s) => Node::Search(SearchNode::SingleField {
-                    field: escape_anki_wildcards(&s).into_owned().into(),
-                    text: "*".to_string().into(),
+                    field: escape_anki_wildcards(&s),
+                    text: "*".to_string(),
                     is_re: false,
                 }),
                 Filter::Rated(rated) => Node::Search(SearchNode::Rated {
@@ -346,7 +339,7 @@ impl From<pb::SearchTerm> for Node<'_> {
                 }),
                 Filter::EditedInDays(u) => Node::Search(SearchNode::EditedInDays(u)),
                 Filter::CardState(state) => Node::Search(SearchNode::State(
-                    pb::search_term::CardState::from_i32(state)
+                    pb::search_node::CardState::from_i32(state)
                         .unwrap_or_default()
                         .into(),
                 )),
@@ -358,45 +351,74 @@ impl From<pb::SearchTerm> for Node<'_> {
                     Flag::Green => Node::Search(SearchNode::Flag(3)),
                     Flag::Blue => Node::Search(SearchNode::Flag(4)),
                 },
-                Filter::Negated(term) => Node::Not(Box::new((*term).into())),
+                Filter::Negated(term) => Node::try_from(*term)?.negated(),
+                Filter::Group(mut group) => {
+                    match group.nodes.len() {
+                        0 => return Err(AnkiError::invalid_input("empty group")),
+                        // a group of 1 doesn't need to be a group
+                        1 => group.nodes.pop().unwrap().try_into()?,
+                        // 2+ nodes
+                        _ => {
+                            let joiner = match group.joiner() {
+                                Joiner::And => Node::And,
+                                Joiner::Or => Node::Or,
+                            };
+                            let parsed: Vec<_> = group
+                                .nodes
+                                .into_iter()
+                                .map(TryFrom::try_from)
+                                .collect::<Result<_>>()?;
+                            let joined = parsed.into_iter().intersperse(joiner).collect();
+                            Node::Group(joined)
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+                Filter::ParsableText(text) => {
+                    let mut nodes = parse_search(&text)?;
+                    if nodes.len() == 1 {
+                        nodes.pop().unwrap()
+                    } else {
+                        Node::Group(nodes)
+                    }
+                }
             }
         } else {
             Node::Search(SearchNode::WholeCollection)
-        }
+        })
     }
 }
 
-impl From<BoolSeparatorProto> for BoolSeparator {
-    fn from(sep: BoolSeparatorProto) -> Self {
+impl From<pb::search_node::group::Joiner> for BoolSeparator {
+    fn from(sep: pb::search_node::group::Joiner) -> Self {
         match sep {
-            BoolSeparatorProto::And => BoolSeparator::And,
-            BoolSeparatorProto::Or => BoolSeparator::Or,
+            pb::search_node::group::Joiner::And => BoolSeparator::And,
+            pb::search_node::group::Joiner::Or => BoolSeparator::Or,
         }
     }
 }
 
-impl From<pb::search_term::Rating> for RatingKind {
-    fn from(r: pb::search_term::Rating) -> Self {
+impl From<pb::search_node::Rating> for RatingKind {
+    fn from(r: pb::search_node::Rating) -> Self {
         match r {
-            pb::search_term::Rating::Again => RatingKind::AnswerButton(1),
-            pb::search_term::Rating::Hard => RatingKind::AnswerButton(2),
-            pb::search_term::Rating::Good => RatingKind::AnswerButton(3),
-            pb::search_term::Rating::Easy => RatingKind::AnswerButton(4),
-            pb::search_term::Rating::Any => RatingKind::AnyAnswerButton,
-            pb::search_term::Rating::ByReschedule => RatingKind::ManualReschedule,
+            pb::search_node::Rating::Again => RatingKind::AnswerButton(1),
+            pb::search_node::Rating::Hard => RatingKind::AnswerButton(2),
+            pb::search_node::Rating::Good => RatingKind::AnswerButton(3),
+            pb::search_node::Rating::Easy => RatingKind::AnswerButton(4),
+            pb::search_node::Rating::Any => RatingKind::AnyAnswerButton,
+            pb::search_node::Rating::ByReschedule => RatingKind::ManualReschedule,
         }
     }
 }
 
-impl From<pb::search_term::CardState> for StateKind {
-    fn from(k: pb::search_term::CardState) -> Self {
+impl From<pb::search_node::CardState> for StateKind {
+    fn from(k: pb::search_node::CardState) -> Self {
         match k {
-            pb::search_term::CardState::New => StateKind::New,
-            pb::search_term::CardState::Learn => StateKind::Learning,
-            pb::search_term::CardState::Review => StateKind::Review,
-            pb::search_term::CardState::Due => StateKind::Due,
-            pb::search_term::CardState::Suspended => StateKind::Suspended,
-            pb::search_term::CardState::Buried => StateKind::Buried,
+            pb::search_node::CardState::New => StateKind::New,
+            pb::search_node::CardState::Learn => StateKind::Learning,
+            pb::search_node::CardState::Review => StateKind::Review,
+            pb::search_node::CardState::Due => StateKind::Due,
+            pb::search_node::CardState::Suspended => StateKind::Suspended,
+            pb::search_node::CardState::Buried => StateKind::Buried,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -525,12 +547,8 @@ impl BackendService for Backend {
     // searching
     //-----------------------------------------------
 
-    fn filter_to_search(&self, input: pb::SearchTerm) -> Result<pb::String> {
-        Ok(write_nodes(&[input.into()]).into())
-    }
-
-    fn normalize_search(&self, input: pb::String) -> Result<pb::String> {
-        Ok(normalize_search(&input.val)?.into())
+    fn build_search_string(&self, input: pb::SearchNode) -> Result<pb::String> {
+        Ok(write_nodes(&[input.try_into()?]).into())
     }
 
     fn search_cards(&self, input: pb::SearchCardsIn) -> Result<pb::SearchCardsOut> {
@@ -552,16 +570,31 @@ impl BackendService for Backend {
         })
     }
 
-    fn negate_search(&self, input: pb::String) -> Result<pb::String> {
-        Ok(negate_search(&input.val)?.into())
+    fn join_search_nodes(&self, input: pb::JoinSearchNodesIn) -> Result<pb::String> {
+        let sep = input.joiner().into();
+        let existing_nodes = {
+            let node = input.existing_node.unwrap_or_default().try_into()?;
+            if let Node::Group(nodes) = node {
+                nodes
+            } else {
+                vec![node]
+            }
+        };
+        let additional_node = input.additional_node.unwrap_or_default().try_into()?;
+        Ok(concatenate_searches(sep, existing_nodes, additional_node).into())
     }
 
-    fn concatenate_searches(&self, input: pb::ConcatenateSearchesIn) -> Result<pb::String> {
-        Ok(concatenate_searches(input.sep().into(), &input.searches)?.into())
-    }
-
-    fn replace_search_term(&self, input: pb::ReplaceSearchTermIn) -> Result<pb::String> {
-        Ok(replace_search_term(&input.search, &input.replacement)?.into())
+    fn replace_search_node(&self, input: pb::ReplaceSearchNodeIn) -> Result<pb::String> {
+        let existing = {
+            let node = input.existing_node.unwrap_or_default().try_into()?;
+            if let Node::Group(nodes) = node {
+                nodes
+            } else {
+                vec![node]
+            }
+        };
+        let replacement = input.replacement_node.unwrap_or_default().try_into()?;
+        Ok(replace_search_node(existing, replacement).into())
     }
 
     fn find_and_replace(&self, input: pb::FindAndReplaceIn) -> BackendResult<pb::UInt32> {
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/mod.rs b/rslib/src/search/mod.rs
index 992f01739..b469542df 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/mod.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/mod.rs
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@ mod sqlwriter;
 mod writer;
 
 pub use cards::SortMode;
-pub use parser::{Node, PropertyKind, RatingKind, SearchNode, StateKind, TemplateKind};
-pub use writer::{
-    concatenate_searches, negate_search, normalize_search, replace_search_term, write_nodes,
-    BoolSeparator,
+pub use parser::{
+    parse as parse_search, Node, PropertyKind, RatingKind, SearchNode, StateKind, TemplateKind,
 };
+pub use writer::{concatenate_searches, replace_search_node, write_nodes, BoolSeparator};
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/parser.rs b/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
index ee7e2909f..d44a61ad3 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/parser.rs
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ use nom::{
     sequence::{preceded, separated_pair},
 };
 use regex::{Captures, Regex};
-use std::borrow::Cow;
 
 type IResult<'a, O> = std::result::Result<(&'a str, O), nom::Err<ParseError<'a>>>;
 type ParseResult<'a, O> = std::result::Result<O, nom::Err<ParseError<'a>>>;
@@ -30,53 +29,63 @@ fn parse_error(input: &str) -> nom::Err<ParseError<'_>> {
     nom::Err::Error(ParseError::Anki(input, FailKind::Other(None)))
 }
 
-#[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
-pub enum Node<'a> {
+#[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
+pub enum Node {
     And,
     Or,
-    Not(Box<Node<'a>>),
-    Group(Vec<Node<'a>>),
-    Search(SearchNode<'a>),
+    Not(Box<Node>),
+    Group(Vec<Node>),
+    Search(SearchNode),
+}
+
+impl Node {
+    pub fn negated(self) -> Node {
+        if let Node::Not(inner) = self {
+            *inner
+        } else {
+            Node::Not(Box::new(self))
+        }
+    }
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
-pub enum SearchNode<'a> {
+pub enum SearchNode {
     // text without a colon
-    UnqualifiedText(Cow<'a, str>),
+    UnqualifiedText(String),
     // foo:bar, where foo doesn't match a term below
     SingleField {
-        field: Cow<'a, str>,
-        text: Cow<'a, str>,
+        field: String,
+        text: String,
         is_re: bool,
     },
     AddedInDays(u32),
     EditedInDays(u32),
-    CardTemplate(TemplateKind<'a>),
-    Deck(Cow<'a, str>),
+    CardTemplate(TemplateKind),
+    Deck(String),
     DeckID(DeckID),
     NoteTypeID(NoteTypeID),
-    NoteType(Cow<'a, str>),
+    NoteType(String),
     Rated {
         days: u32,
         ease: RatingKind,
     },
-    Tag(Cow<'a, str>),
+    Tag(String),
     Duplicates {
         note_type_id: NoteTypeID,
-        text: Cow<'a, str>,
+        text: String,
     },
     State(StateKind),
     Flag(u8),
-    NoteIDs(Cow<'a, str>),
-    CardIDs(&'a str),
+    NoteIDs(String),
+    CardIDs(String),
     Property {
         operator: String,
         kind: PropertyKind,
     },
     WholeCollection,
-    Regex(Cow<'a, str>),
-    NoCombining(Cow<'a, str>),
-    WordBoundary(Cow<'a, str>),
+    Regex(String),
+    NoCombining(String),
+    WordBoundary(String),
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
@@ -103,9 +112,9 @@ pub enum StateKind {
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
-pub enum TemplateKind<'a> {
+pub enum TemplateKind {
     Ordinal(u16),
-    Name(Cow<'a, str>),
+    Name(String),
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq, Clone)]
@@ -116,7 +125,7 @@ pub enum RatingKind {
 }
 
 /// Parse the input string into a list of nodes.
-pub(super) fn parse(input: &str) -> Result<Vec<Node>> {
+pub fn parse(input: &str) -> Result<Vec<Node>> {
     let input = input.trim();
     if input.is_empty() {
         return Ok(vec![Node::Search(SearchNode::WholeCollection)]);
@@ -303,7 +312,7 @@ fn search_node_for_text(s: &str) -> ParseResult<SearchNode> {
 fn search_node_for_text_with_argument<'a>(
     key: &'a str,
     val: &'a str,
-) -> ParseResult<'a, SearchNode<'a>> {
+) -> ParseResult<'a, SearchNode> {
     Ok(match key.to_ascii_lowercase().as_str() {
         "deck" => SearchNode::Deck(unescape(val)?),
         "note" => SearchNode::NoteType(unescape(val)?),
@@ -319,7 +328,7 @@ fn search_node_for_text_with_argument<'a>(
         "did" => parse_did(val)?,
         "mid" => parse_mid(val)?,
         "nid" => SearchNode::NoteIDs(check_id_list(val, key)?.into()),
-        "cid" => SearchNode::CardIDs(check_id_list(val, key)?),
+        "cid" => SearchNode::CardIDs(check_id_list(val, key)?.into()),
         "re" => SearchNode::Regex(unescape_quotes(val)),
         "nc" => SearchNode::NoCombining(unescape(val)?),
         "w" => SearchNode::WordBoundary(unescape(val)?),
@@ -579,7 +588,7 @@ fn parse_dupe(s: &str) -> ParseResult<SearchNode> {
     }
 }
 
-fn parse_single_field<'a>(key: &'a str, val: &'a str) -> ParseResult<'a, SearchNode<'a>> {
+fn parse_single_field<'a>(key: &'a str, val: &'a str) -> ParseResult<'a, SearchNode> {
     Ok(if let Some(stripped) = val.strip_prefix("re:") {
         SearchNode::SingleField {
             field: unescape(key)?,
@@ -596,25 +605,25 @@ fn parse_single_field<'a>(key: &'a str, val: &'a str) -> ParseResult<'a, SearchN
 }
 
 /// For strings without unescaped ", convert \" to "
-fn unescape_quotes(s: &str) -> Cow<str> {
+fn unescape_quotes(s: &str) -> String {
     if s.contains('"') {
-        s.replace(r#"\""#, "\"").into()
+        s.replace(r#"\""#, "\"")
     } else {
         s.into()
     }
 }
 
 /// For non-globs like dupe text without any assumption about the content
-fn unescape_quotes_and_backslashes(s: &str) -> Cow<str> {
+fn unescape_quotes_and_backslashes(s: &str) -> String {
     if s.contains('"') || s.contains('\\') {
-        s.replace(r#"\""#, "\"").replace(r"\\", r"\").into()
+        s.replace(r#"\""#, "\"").replace(r"\\", r"\")
     } else {
         s.into()
     }
 }
 
 /// Unescape chars with special meaning to the parser.
-fn unescape(txt: &str) -> ParseResult<Cow<str>> {
+fn unescape(txt: &str) -> ParseResult<String> {
     if let Some(seq) = invalid_escape_sequence(txt) {
         Err(parse_failure(txt, FailKind::UnknownEscape(seq)))
     } else {
@@ -631,6 +640,7 @@ fn unescape(txt: &str) -> ParseResult<Cow<str>> {
                 r"\-" => "-",
                 _ => unreachable!(),
             })
+            .into()
         } else {
             txt.into()
         })
@@ -980,4 +990,14 @@ mod test {
 
         Ok(())
     }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn negating() {
+        let node = Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText("foo".to_string()));
+        let neg_node = Node::Not(Box::new(Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText(
+            "foo".to_string(),
+        ))));
+        assert_eq!(node.clone().negated(), neg_node);
+        assert_eq!(node.clone().negated().negated(), node);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs b/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs
index a3e009d5e..f65f93832 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/sqlwriter.rs
@@ -134,7 +134,9 @@ impl SqlWriter<'_> {
             SearchNode::EditedInDays(days) => self.write_edited(*days)?,
             SearchNode::CardTemplate(template) => match template {
                 TemplateKind::Ordinal(_) => self.write_template(template)?,
-                TemplateKind::Name(name) => self.write_template(&TemplateKind::Name(norm(name)))?,
+                TemplateKind::Name(name) => {
+                    self.write_template(&TemplateKind::Name(norm(name).into()))?
+                }
             },
             SearchNode::Deck(deck) => self.write_deck(&norm(deck))?,
             SearchNode::NoteTypeID(ntid) => {
@@ -532,7 +534,7 @@ impl RequiredTable {
     }
 }
 
-impl Node<'_> {
+impl Node {
     fn required_table(&self) -> RequiredTable {
         match self {
             Node::And => RequiredTable::CardsOrNotes,
@@ -546,7 +548,7 @@ impl Node<'_> {
     }
 }
 
-impl SearchNode<'_> {
+impl SearchNode {
     fn required_table(&self) -> RequiredTable {
         match self {
             SearchNode::AddedInDays(_) => RequiredTable::Cards,
diff --git a/rslib/src/search/writer.rs b/rslib/src/search/writer.rs
index ac4490e9e..2cb2d3a6b 100644
--- a/rslib/src/search/writer.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/search/writer.rs
@@ -3,11 +3,9 @@
 
 use crate::{
     decks::DeckID as DeckIDType,
-    err::Result,
     notetype::NoteTypeID as NoteTypeIDType,
-    search::parser::{parse, Node, PropertyKind, RatingKind, SearchNode, StateKind, TemplateKind},
+    search::parser::{Node, PropertyKind, RatingKind, SearchNode, StateKind, TemplateKind},
 };
-use itertools::Itertools;
 use std::mem;
 
 #[derive(Debug, PartialEq)]
@@ -16,59 +14,33 @@ pub enum BoolSeparator {
     Or,
 }
 
-/// Take an Anki-style search string and convert it into an equivalent
-/// search string with normalized syntax.
-pub fn normalize_search(input: &str) -> Result<String> {
-    Ok(write_nodes(&parse(input)?))
+/// Take an existing search, and AND/OR it with the provided additional search.
+/// This is required because when the user has "a AND b" in an existing search and
+/// wants to add "c", we want "a AND b AND c", not "(a AND b) AND C", which is what we'd
+/// get if we tried to join the existing search string with a new SearchTerm on the
+/// client side.
+pub fn concatenate_searches(
+    sep: BoolSeparator,
+    mut existing: Vec<Node>,
+    additional: Node,
+) -> String {
+    if !existing.is_empty() {
+        existing.push(match sep {
+            BoolSeparator::And => Node::And,
+            BoolSeparator::Or => Node::Or,
+        });
+    }
+    existing.push(additional);
+    write_nodes(&existing)
 }
 
-/// Take an Anki-style search string and return the negated counterpart.
-/// Empty searches (whole collection) remain unchanged.
-pub fn negate_search(input: &str) -> Result<String> {
-    let mut nodes = parse(input)?;
-    use Node::*;
-    Ok(if nodes.len() == 1 {
-        let node = nodes.remove(0);
-        match node {
-            Not(n) => write_node(&n),
-            Search(SearchNode::WholeCollection) => "".to_string(),
-            Group(_) | Search(_) => write_node(&Not(Box::new(node))),
-            _ => unreachable!(),
-        }
-    } else {
-        write_node(&Not(Box::new(Group(nodes))))
-    })
-}
-
-/// Take arbitrary Anki-style search strings and return their concatenation where they
-/// are separated by the provided boolean operator.
-/// Empty searches (whole collection) are left out.
-pub fn concatenate_searches(sep: BoolSeparator, searches: &[String]) -> Result<String> {
-    let bool_node = vec![match sep {
-        BoolSeparator::And => Node::And,
-        BoolSeparator::Or => Node::Or,
-    }];
-    Ok(write_nodes(
-        searches
-            .iter()
-            .map(|s| parse(s))
-            .collect::<Result<Vec<Vec<Node>>>>()?
-            .iter()
-            .filter(|v| v[0] != Node::Search(SearchNode::WholeCollection))
-            .intersperse(&&bool_node)
-            .flat_map(|v| v.iter()),
-    ))
-}
-
-/// Take two Anki-style search strings. If the second one evaluates to a single search
-/// node, replace with it all search terms of the same kind in the first search.
-/// Then return the possibly modified first search.
-pub fn replace_search_term(search: &str, replacement: &str) -> Result<String> {
-    let mut nodes = parse(search)?;
-    let new = parse(replacement)?;
-    if let [Node::Search(search_node)] = &new[..] {
-        fn update_node_vec<'a>(old_nodes: &mut [Node<'a>], new_node: &SearchNode<'a>) {
-            fn update_node<'a>(old_node: &mut Node<'a>, new_node: &SearchNode<'a>) {
+/// Given an existing parsed search, if the provided `replacement` is a single search node such
+/// as a deck:xxx search, replace any instances of that search in `existing` with the new value.
+/// Then return the possibly modified first search as a string.
+pub fn replace_search_node(mut existing: Vec<Node>, replacement: Node) -> String {
+    if let Node::Search(search_node) = replacement {
+        fn update_node_vec(old_nodes: &mut [Node], new_node: &SearchNode) {
+            fn update_node(old_node: &mut Node, new_node: &SearchNode) {
                 match old_node {
                     Node::Not(n) => update_node(n, new_node),
                     Node::Group(ns) => update_node_vec(ns, new_node),
@@ -82,16 +54,13 @@ pub fn replace_search_term(search: &str, replacement: &str) -> Result<String> {
             }
             old_nodes.iter_mut().for_each(|n| update_node(n, new_node));
         }
-        update_node_vec(&mut nodes, search_node);
+        update_node_vec(&mut existing, &search_node);
     }
-    Ok(write_nodes(&nodes))
+    write_nodes(&existing)
 }
 
-pub fn write_nodes<'a, I>(nodes: I) -> String
-where
-    I: IntoIterator<Item = &'a Node<'a>>,
-{
-    nodes.into_iter().map(|node| write_node(node)).collect()
+pub fn write_nodes(nodes: &[Node]) -> String {
+    nodes.iter().map(|node| write_node(node)).collect()
 }
 
 fn write_node(node: &Node) -> String {
@@ -125,7 +94,7 @@ fn write_search_node(node: &SearchNode) -> String {
         NoteIDs(s) => format!("\"nid:{}\"", s),
         CardIDs(s) => format!("\"cid:{}\"", s),
         Property { operator, kind } => write_property(operator, kind),
-        WholeCollection => "".to_string(),
+        WholeCollection => "\"deck:*\"".to_string(),
         Regex(s) => quote(&format!("re:{}", s)),
         NoCombining(s) => quote(&format!("nc:{}", s)),
         WordBoundary(s) => quote(&format!("w:{}", s)),
@@ -206,6 +175,14 @@ fn write_property(operator: &str, kind: &PropertyKind) -> String {
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod test {
     use super::*;
+    use crate::err::Result;
+    use crate::search::parse_search as parse;
+
+    /// Take an Anki-style search string and convert it into an equivalent
+    /// search string with normalized syntax.
+    fn normalize_search(input: &str) -> Result<String> {
+        Ok(write_nodes(&parse(input)?))
+    }
 
     #[test]
     fn normalizing() -> Result<()> {
@@ -224,36 +201,40 @@ mod test {
         Ok(())
     }
 
-    #[test]
-    fn negating() -> Result<()> {
-        assert_eq!(r#"-("foo" AND "bar")"#, negate_search("foo bar").unwrap());
-        assert_eq!(r#""foo""#, negate_search("-foo").unwrap());
-        assert_eq!(r#"("foo")"#, negate_search("-(foo)").unwrap());
-        assert_eq!("", negate_search("").unwrap());
-
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
     #[test]
     fn concatenating() -> Result<()> {
         assert_eq!(
+            concatenate_searches(
+                BoolSeparator::And,
+                vec![Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText("foo".to_string()))],
+                Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText("bar".to_string()))
+            ),
             r#""foo" AND "bar""#,
-            concatenate_searches(BoolSeparator::And, &["foo".to_string(), "bar".to_string()])
-                .unwrap()
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            r#""foo" OR "bar""#,
             concatenate_searches(
                 BoolSeparator::Or,
-                &["foo".to_string(), "".to_string(), "bar".to_string()]
-            )
-            .unwrap()
+                vec![Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText("foo".to_string()))],
+                Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText("bar".to_string()))
+            ),
+            r#""foo" OR "bar""#,
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            "",
-            concatenate_searches(BoolSeparator::Or, &["".to_string()]).unwrap()
+            concatenate_searches(
+                BoolSeparator::Or,
+                vec![Node::Search(SearchNode::WholeCollection)],
+                Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText("bar".to_string()))
+            ),
+            r#""deck:*" OR "bar""#,
+        );
+        assert_eq!(
+            concatenate_searches(
+                BoolSeparator::Or,
+                vec![],
+                Node::Search(SearchNode::UnqualifiedText("bar".to_string()))
+            ),
+            r#""bar""#,
         );
-        assert_eq!("", concatenate_searches(BoolSeparator::Or, &[]).unwrap());
 
         Ok(())
     }
@@ -261,24 +242,30 @@ mod test {
     #[test]
     fn replacing() -> Result<()> {
         assert_eq!(
+            replace_search_node(parse("deck:baz bar")?, parse("deck:foo")?.pop().unwrap()),
             r#""deck:foo" AND "bar""#,
-            replace_search_term("deck:baz bar", "deck:foo").unwrap()
         );
         assert_eq!(
+            replace_search_node(
+                parse("tag:foo Or tag:bar")?,
+                parse("tag:baz")?.pop().unwrap()
+            ),
             r#""tag:baz" OR "tag:baz""#,
-            replace_search_term("tag:foo Or tag:bar", "tag:baz").unwrap()
         );
         assert_eq!(
+            replace_search_node(
+                parse("foo or (-foo tag:baz)")?,
+                parse("bar")?.pop().unwrap()
+            ),
             r#""bar" OR (-"bar" AND "tag:baz")"#,
-            replace_search_term("foo or (-foo tag:baz)", "bar").unwrap()
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            r#""is:due""#,
-            replace_search_term("is:due", "-is:new").unwrap()
+            replace_search_node(parse("is:due")?, parse("-is:new")?.pop().unwrap()),
+            r#""is:due""#
         );
         assert_eq!(
-            r#""added:1""#,
-            replace_search_term("added:1", "is:due").unwrap()
+            replace_search_node(parse("added:1")?, parse("is:due")?.pop().unwrap()),
+            r#""added:1""#
         );
 
         Ok(())
diff --git a/rslib/src/text.rs b/rslib/src/text.rs
index be985cbd0..003bdd967 100644
--- a/rslib/src/text.rs
+++ b/rslib/src/text.rs
@@ -336,11 +336,11 @@ pub(crate) fn to_text(txt: &str) -> Cow<str> {
 }
 
 /// Escape Anki wildcards and the backslash for escaping them: \*_
-pub(crate) fn escape_anki_wildcards(txt: &str) -> Cow<str> {
+pub(crate) fn escape_anki_wildcards(txt: &str) -> String {
     lazy_static! {
         static ref RE: Regex = Regex::new(r"[\\*_]").unwrap();
     }
-    RE.replace_all(&txt, r"\$0")
+    RE.replace_all(&txt, r"\$0").into()
 }
 
 /// Compare text with a possible glob, folding case.