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20 Sept 20254 min read

· Updated 21 Apr 2026

Discovery

AI to you help find the best parts across ALL the options without cracking open datasheets

Zenode.ai

TL;DR

Zenode's Discovery is what electronic component search should be in the era of AI. Type what you need in plain English, and the Agent searches across millions of parts from thousands of distributors and manufacturers, reads relevant datasheets, and returns cited, grounded answers with direct links to parts and catalog views. It's fast, it's sourced, and it's built for engineers who are choosing parts (not just buying them).

Discovery FAQs

Quick answers to common questions about AI-powered component search, credits, and getting the best results.

Do I need an account to use Discovery?

Anonymous users get a handful of credits to try it out, but if you create an account and you'll get 25x as many.

How is Discovery different from Deep Dive?

They're different steps in the same flow. Discovery is the initial step to surface the most likely parts, then Deep Dive starts reading the documentation to analyze them in detail.

What if I type something that isn't a component?

The classifier catches most of these and routes them appropriately. If it slips through, you'll get a response explaining that Zenode is for electronic components only.

Why did my search take longer than expected?

Two common reasons: the AI is reading datasheets in the deep agent step (you can watch the thinking indicator to see progress), or it's backing off over-specified filters. You can stop the search early if you want faster but shallower results.

Can I buy parts directly through Zenode?

No, Discovery is about finding and comparing. Purchasing happens through distributors (we link to them).

How many parts does Discovery search across?

40 million+ searchable parts, merged from dozens of distributors and thousands of manufacturers. More than any single source.

Does it understand engineering shorthand?

Usually it does, although everyone has different shorthand. LDO, uC, SOT-23, 3V3, RDS(on) all work. The AI is trained on component terminology.

Can I share a search?

Every search has its own URL. Copy and share it.

What's the difference between Discovery and just using DigiKey/Mouser/etc?

Discovery searches across all major distributors at once, deduplicates parts, reads datasheets to understand what parts actually do (not just what category they're in), and cites its sources. DigiKey and Mouser's parametric search is not AI powered, and results are limited to just their catalog, their specs, their taxonomy.

What happens when I run out of credits?

Catalog search still works (always free, no AI cost).

How do I use the @ references?

Type @ in the search bar followed by at least 4 characters of a part number. An autocomplete menu appears with matching parts. Select one to reference it in your query (useful for searches like 'find me something similar to @LM317T').

How do I get the best results?

Start with a natural language description of what you need, including 2 to 4 key specs. More than 4 specs tends to narrow results too aggressively. If results aren't right, simplify and try again.

What if the AI puts me in the wrong category?

Rephrase your query. Adding one key differentiating term (like 'comparator' vs. 'op amp') usually fixes it.

Can I combine AI search with parametric filters?

Yes. Start broad with a natural language query, then refine with parametric filters on the catalog page. This combo is usually the fastest path to the exact right part.

How do I know if the AI's answer is trustworthy?

Check the sources. Every claim in the response links to a datasheet or spec sheet. Click through to verify. If you want a thorough analysis before committing to a part, use Deep Dive.

Discovery | Zenode.ai

Discovery

TL;DR

Discovery

TL;DR

Ways to Search in Discovery

What You See in a Response

@ References

Why Discovery Matters