A pattern reinvented again and again:
Save a query as a "virtual folder" so that users can automatically get aggregated "file" list from the entire system according a set of criteria.
macOS -> SmartFolder
https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mchlp2804/mac
DevonThink -> Smart Rules
https://www.devontechnologies.com/blog/20201110-organize-with-smart-rules
jabref -> Extra kinds of grouping
https://docs.jabref.org/finding-sorting-and-cleaning-entries/groups#searching-for-a-keyword-in-a-field
Zotero -> Saved Search
https://www.zotero.org/support/searching#saved_searches