SurfSense

SurfSense is an open-source browser extension that allows users to build searchable knowledge bases from diverse data sources. It functions as a personal knowledge management system that can be deployed on private infrastructure via Docker or used through a cloud version and a companion desktop application.

The software enables users to index documents and connect external services to create a grounded AI context. It supports a variety of use cases including research report generation, automated document summarization, and collaborative AI chatting. The desktop app adds system-wide capabilities such as text selection assistance and local folder synchronization, allowing users to interact with their knowledge base from any application on their computer.

Key features

• Integration with over 25 external data sources including Notion, Slack, Google Drive, and GitHub.
• Support for any LLM, image, TTS, and STT models to avoid vendor lock-in.
• Real-time multiplayer collaboration for shared notebooks with comments and mentions.
• AI-powered file sorting that organizes documents into hierarchies by source, date, and topic.
• Automated workflows triggered by schedules or new document uploads.
• Connector write-back capabilities to post AI results directly to Slack, Linear, and Notion.
• AI content generation for podcasts, slide decks, and cited research reports.
• Local folder watching for automatic synchronization of Obsidian vaults.

The architecture utilizes a RAG approach to ensure answers are grounded in the user's own data. It is designed for individuals and teams who require full control over their data flow and wish to remove source and notebook limits. The system includes a no-code automation builder where agents are created using plain English descriptions. Users can run these agents on a schedule for daily briefs or trigger them the moment a document lands in a specific folder.

Beyond simple chat, the software includes a Deliverable Studio for exporting cited research to PDF, DOCX, and LaTeX, as well as a resume builder that optimizes text for ATS. The desktop application provides a global shortcut for general assistance and a screenshot tool that attaches screen regions to the chat for grounded analysis.

SurfSense is a flexible, limit-free knowledge assistant for users prioritizing data privacy and cross-platform integration.