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Chatpdf

ChatPDF is an open-source Python application that answers questions about PDFs, DOCX, Markdown and TXT files using retrieval-augmented generation. It combines lexical and embedding-based passage retrieval with configurable LLMs, and offers a Gradio interface for streaming chat. Optional features include reranking, context expansion and lightweight GraphRAG.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Chatpdf — OpenViST project profile in RAG & Knowledge Systems.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use ChatPDF when you want to build or run a document Q&A application and need control over the retrieval pipeline and choice of local models or external LLM APIs.

Who it is for

  • Developers building local or self-hosted document question-answering tools.
  • Teams and individuals who want to query a collection of supported document files.
  • Builders who need to configure retrieval, embedding and generation models.

Documented uses

  • Ask questions grounded in PDF, DOCX, Markdown or TXT documents.
  • Create a local document-chat interface using Gradio.
  • Combine keyword and embedding similarity for candidate retrieval, then optionally rerank results.
  • Experiment with relationship-based GraphRAG over documents.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The repository is public and licensed under Apache-2.0. The README states that commercial use is permitted and asks that product documentation include a ChatPDF link and the license.

  • The README lists PDF, DOCX, Markdown and TXT as supported file formats.
  • LLM choices named in the README include OpenAI, DeepSeek and Ollama APIs, and open models such as Qwen and DeepSeek.
  • Embedding choices include OpenAI, local text2vec, Hugging Face and Sentence Transformers.
  • The README recommends WSL for Windows users; CUDA is recommended when running large models without CPU execution.
  • The GraphRAG demo instructions show an OpenAI API key and also describe an Ollama-based option.

Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.

Source-based practical guide

Install dependencies and start the local Gradio interface

Set up the Python dependencies and launch ChatPDF’s documented local web interface.

Before you start

  • Python installed
  • Repository cloned or otherwise available locally
  • For Windows, the README recommends using WSL on Linux

Steps

  1. From the project directory, run the command below.

    Documented command
    pip install -r requirements.txt

  2. Run the command below.

    Documented command
    python webui.py

  3. Open http://localhost:8082 in a browser.

Expected outcome

A local Gradio ChatPDF interface is available in the browser.

Guide limitations

  • The README does not specify model selection or hardware requirements for this interface startup sequence.
  • For running large models without CPU execution, the README says to install CUDA.
Documentation 1 ↗
COMPARE OPTIONS

Compare options for Retrieval-augmented applications

These projects document a common task and share a project role. This is a source-based comparison, not an execution benchmark or a guarantee of interchangeability.

ProjectDocumented purposePlatformAccess and requirements
ChatpdfAsk questions grounded in PDF, DOCX, Markdown or TXT documents.Linux, Self-hosted, Web, WindowsThe repository is public and licensed under Apache-2.0. The README states that commercial use is permitted and asks that product documentation include a ChatPDF link and the license.
Rag Powered AI Assistant Transforming Data Retrieval And Analysis Across The Web And PdfsRetrieve relevant passages from web and PDF content to answer a question.Web
LangChain in Supabase Edge FunctionsInitialize and start a Supabase project locally.Cloud, Server
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
14 October 2026
Original website title
shibing624/ChatPDF · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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