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Surfsense

SurfSense is a desktop AI agent for researching, transforming and editing documents on a user's machine. It indexes documents on disk, provides cited research answers, and supports file creation and format-specific editing across several document types. Users can choose a local model or a remote OpenAI-compatible API.

Explore the practical guide ↓

Independent OpenViST project profile, based on linked sources.

Surfsense — OpenViST project profile in Research Agents.
OpenViST project illustration. See the linked sources for product details.
Understand the project

Practical overview

When it fits

Use SurfSense when you want an AI-assisted workflow for researching and editing a collection of files from a desktop app, especially when keeping the index on disk and choosing between local and remote models are relevant.

Who it is for

  • People who want to research files and extract information from document collections.
  • Users who need to create, transform or edit supported documents without changing originals.
  • Teams handling sensitive documents that want an on-machine workflow and the option to use a local model.

Documented uses

  • Search a collection of files and get cited answers.
  • Extract information from documents, spreadsheets, images or other supported formats.
  • Create, transform or edit supported files, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and PDF documents.
  • Generate learning materials such as mind maps, flashcards and quizzes from work in the app.
Before you choose

Requirements & limits

The repository lists desktop downloads for Windows x64, macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x64. It describes SurfSense as free and open source under Apache-2.0, and says there is no account for the desktop app.

  • The index stays on disk; documents leave the machine if a remote model is chosen.
  • PDF, Word and Excel have the broadest documented support.
  • Office-to-PDF conversion requires LibreOffice support enabled in Settings; LibreOffice is not included in the installer.
  • Image creation requires an image model, local or remote; none is selected by default.
  • OCR is documented for Latin, Chinese and Japanese script.

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

Add documents and ask the agent to work with them

Set up SurfSense with document sources and request a search, extraction or edit.

Before you start

  • A SurfSense desktop installer for Windows x64, macOS Apple Silicon or Linux x64.
  • Documents or folders to add as sources.

Steps

  1. Install SurfSense and complete initial onboarding.

  2. Add files or folders to your sources.

  3. Ask the agent to search, extract information from, or edit the files.

Expected outcome

The agent can work with the added documents through a search, extraction or edit request.

Guide limitations

  • Supported operations vary by file format.
  • Edits and conversions create new files; the original is not changed.
  • Some features have additional requirements, including LibreOffice for Office-to-PDF support and an image model for image creation.
Documentation 1 ↗
Evidence and transparency

Sources & review

Official repository ↗
Source record details
Source availability
Active
Sources checked
15 October 2026
Original website title
MODSetter/SurfSense · Official homepage title · retained in its source language
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