How do you filter query results using metadata in ChromaDB?

ChromaDB supports a MongoDB-style where clause for filtering by metadata fields. Filters can be applied during query() (combines semantic search with filtering) or during get() (exact retrieval with filtering). Filters run before or alongside the ANN search.

import chromadb

client = chromadb.Client()
col = client.create_collection("articles")
col.add(
    documents=["Python intro", "Python advanced", "JS basics", "Rust guide", "Go tutorial"],
    metadatas=[
        {"lang": "python", "level": "beginner", "year": 2022},
        {"lang": "python", "level": "advanced", "year": 2023},
        {"lang": "js",     "level": "beginner", "year": 2023},
        {"lang": "rust",   "level": "beginner", "year": 2024},
        {"lang": "go",     "level": "intermediate", "year": 2024},
    ],
    ids=["a1","a2","a3","a4","a5"],
)

# Equality filter
results = col.query(
    query_texts=["programming tutorial"],
    n_results=3,
    where={"lang": "python"},  # shorthand for $eq
)

# Comparison operators
results = col.query(
    query_texts=["tutorial"],
    n_results=5,
    where={"year": {"$gte": 2023}},  # year >= 2023
)

# Logical AND — all conditions must match
results = col.query(
    query_texts=["guide"],
    n_results=3,
    where={"$and": [
        {"lang":  {"$in":  ["python", "go"]}},
        {"level": {"$ne":  "advanced"}},
    ]},
)

# Logical OR
results = col.query(
    query_texts=["code"],
    n_results=3,
    where={"$or": [
        {"year": {"$eq": 2024}},
        {"level": {"$eq": "beginner"}},
    ]},
)

# Filter on document text content (where_document)
results = col.query(
    query_texts=["programming"],
    n_results=5,
    where_document={"$contains": "Python"},  # document text contains "Python"
)