FileMind Documentation
FileMind is a local-first research paper organizer. It scans your PDF library, extracts metadata, renames files intelligently, and lets you search and ask questions across your entire collection — all on your machine, with no cloud dependency.
These pages describe FileMind 0.4.1-beta, the current public beta. Every screenshot is a real capture of that build. See the changelog for what changed in it.
Quick Start
- Download FileMind for Windows — macOS on release, license covers both platforms
- Run the installer — the beta is not code-signed yet, so click More info → Run anyway on the SmartScreen prompt
- Follow the five-step setup wizard — choose where the library lives, add a PDF folder, and pick a language model (the built-in one is a single click)
- Let the first scan finish — FileMind extracts text and metadata and indexes every PDF
- Generate and review rename proposals — approve, reject, apply, roll back
- Search and ask questions — across your entire collection, with citations
Guides
Getting Started
Install FileMind and run your first scan in minutes.
Setup Wizard
The five first-run steps, and how to pick a language model — built-in, Ollama, LM Studio, or a cloud API key.
Model Providers
End-to-end setup for the built-in model, Ollama, LM Studio, OpenAI, Claude and Gemini — accounts, keys, and spend limits.
Rename Workflow
Review proposals with their evidence, approve renames, and roll back if needed.
Search & Ask
Hybrid, exact, and semantic search plus AI-powered Q&A with enforced citations.
Export & Integration
Push to Zotero, export BibTeX, RIS, or CSV.
Configuration
TOML config reference and all available settings.
Licensing
Activate your license, manage seats, and transfer machines.
Troubleshooting
Common issues and how to resolve them.
API Reference
Local REST API and CLI for scripting and automation.