Getting Started

Getting Started with Desktop Docs

Welcome to Desktop Docs! This guide will help you get up and running with AI-powered file search and organization.

What is Desktop Docs?

Desktop Docs is a modern file browser that uses artificial intelligence to help you find and organize your files instantly. Whether you're looking for images or videos, our AI can understand the content and help you locate exactly what you need.

Key Features

• AI-Powered Search: Find files by describing their content in natural language

• Visual Search: Search for images by uploading a reference image

• Lightning Fast: Instant previews and search results across thousands of files

First Launch Setup

1. Initial Setup

When you first launch Desktop Docs, you'll see a welcome screen introducing the key features. Click "Get Started" to begin the setup process.

2. Grant Permissions

Desktop Docs needs permission to access your files to index them for search. You'll be prompted to:

• File System Access: Allow Desktop Docs to read files on your computer

• Full Disk Access (macOS): Enable access to all folders including system directories

Note: Desktop Docs only reads your files to create searchable indexes. Your files remain on your computer and are never uploaded to external servers.

3. Model Download

Desktop Docs uses AI models to understand your files. On first launch, these models will be downloaded automatically. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection.

• The download progress will be shown in the interface

• You can continue using the app while models download in the background

• Once complete, you'll see a green checkmark indicating the models are ready

Indexing Your Files

What is Indexing?

Indexing is the process of analyzing your files so Desktop Docs can search through them. The app creates a searchable database of your file contents, making it possible to find files by describing what's in them.

How to Index Files

1. Select Folders to Index:

   • Click the folder icon in the sidebar

   • Navigate to the folders you want to make searchable

   • Select the folders and click "Index Selected Folders"

2. Watch for Indexing Progress:

   • The app will show indexing progress in the bottom status bar

   • You can continue using the app while indexing runs in the background

   • Large folders may take several minutes to complete

3. Supported File Types:

   • Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, WebP, and more

   • Documents: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and text files

   • Videos: MP4, MOV, AVI, and other common formats

   • Audio: MP3, WAV, and other audio files

Indexing Status

You can monitor indexing progress in several ways:

• Status Bar: Shows current indexing jobs at the bottom of the window

• Index Status Panel: Click the status indicator to see detailed progress

• Settings: View overall indexing statistics in the Settings panel

Basic Search

Text Search

1. Enter Your Query:

   • Click in the search bar at the top of the window

   • Type a description of what you're looking for

   • Examples: "meeting notes from last week", "photos of my dog", "presentation about marketing"

2. View Results:

   • Results appear instantly as you type

   • Files are ranked by relevance to your search

   • Click any result to preview the file

3. Search Tips:

   • Use natural language - describe what you're looking for

   • Be specific: "quarterly report 2024" vs "report"

   • Use keywords: "invoice", "contract", "receipt"

Visual Search

1. Upload a Reference Image:

   • Click the image icon in the search bar

   • Select an image file from your computer

   • The app will find similar images in your indexed files

2. Find Similar Content:

   • Results show images with similar visual content

   • Perfect for finding variations of photos or similar graphics

   • Works with screenshots, artwork, and photographs

Navigation Basics

Sidebar

The sidebar on the left provides quick access to:

• Indexed Files: All files that have been processed for search

• Collections: Smart groupings of your files

• Recent Searches: Your recent search history

• Settings: App configuration and preferences

File Preview

• Click any file in search results to preview it

• Images show thumbnails and full-size previews

• Documents display text content when possible

• Videos can be played directly in the preview

Next Steps

Now that you're familiar with the basics, explore these advanced features:

• Deep Search Techniques: Learn advanced search strategies

• Managing Your AI Library: Monitor and maintain your file index

• Custom Collections: Organize files into personalized groups

Getting Help

If you encounter any issues:

• Check the Settings panel for system status

• Use the Index Status panel to monitor indexing progress

• Restart the app if you experience any problems

Welcome to the future of file management with Desktop Docs!