# Deta Surf — AI Notebook That Brings Files and the Web Into Your Thinking

> An open-source AI notebook that combines local files, web content, and AI into a single workspace for research and note-taking with local-first storage.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# Deta Surf — AI Notebook That Brings Files and the Web Into Your Thinking

## Quick Use
```bash
# Download the desktop app from deta.surf
# Or build from source
git clone https://github.com/deta/surf.git
cd surf && npm install && npm run build
```

## Introduction
Deta Surf is an AI-powered notebook application that unifies local files, web pages, and AI conversations into a single workspace. It is designed for researchers and knowledge workers who need to collect, organize, and synthesize information from multiple sources without switching between tools.

## What Deta Surf Does
- Combines notes, web clips, files, and AI chat in one workspace
- Indexes local documents for instant full-text search and AI queries
- Captures web pages as structured content for offline reference
- Runs AI conversations grounded in your collected materials
- Stores everything locally first with optional cloud sync

## Architecture Overview
Deta Surf is a desktop application built with web technologies. It maintains a local index of all imported content including files, web clips, and notes. An embedded AI engine can query this index to answer questions grounded in your materials. The local-first architecture means your data stays on your machine by default, with an optional sync layer for cross-device access.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Download the desktop app for macOS, Windows, or Linux
- No server required; all data is stored locally on your machine
- Import files by dragging them into the workspace
- Web clipper browser extension captures pages in one click
- AI features work with local models or API-based providers

## Key Features
- Unified workspace merging notes, files, web content, and AI
- Local-first storage with no mandatory cloud dependency
- Full-text search across all imported and created content
- AI chat grounded in your personal knowledge base
- Multi-format support including PDF, Markdown, HTML, and images

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Notion AI** — cloud-only with vendor lock-in; Deta Surf is local-first and open source
- **Obsidian** — Markdown-focused vault; Deta Surf integrates web clips and AI natively
- **Rewind AI** — records everything passively; Deta Surf lets you curate what enters your workspace
- **Khoj** — AI second brain with search; Deta Surf adds a full notebook and web-clipping workflow

## FAQ
**Q: Is my data sent to the cloud?**
A: No. Deta Surf stores everything locally by default. Cloud sync is optional and user-controlled.

**Q: Which AI models does it support?**
A: It supports both local models (via Ollama) and API-based providers like OpenAI and Anthropic.

**Q: Can I export my notes?**
A: Yes. Content can be exported as Markdown, PDF, or plain text files.

**Q: Does it work offline?**
A: Yes. All core features including search and note-taking work offline. AI features require a model (local or API).

## Sources
- https://github.com/deta/surf
- https://deta.surf/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-bb3846ec
Author: Script Depot