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Open Notebook Documentation

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Open Notebook Documentation

Welcome to Open Notebook - a privacy-focused AI research assistant. This documentation is organized for different needs.

šŸŽÆ Choose Your Path

I'm brand new

ā†’ Start here: 0-START-HERE

  • Learn what Open Notebook is
  • Pick your setup path (OpenAI, cloud, local/Ollama)
  • 5-minute quick start

I need to install/deploy

ā†’ Go here: 1-INSTALLATION

  • Multiple installation routes
  • Docker Compose (recommended)
  • From source (developers)
  • Single container (deprecated, see Docker Compose)

I want to understand how it works

ā†’ Read this: 2-CORE-CONCEPTS

  • Mental models and architecture
  • How RAG (retrieval-augmented generation) works
  • Notebooks, sources, and notes explained
  • Chat vs. transformations vs. podcasts

I want to use it (tutorials)

ā†’ Follow this: 3-USER-GUIDE

  • How to add sources (PDFs, URLs, audio, video)
  • Creating and organizing notes
  • Chat effectively with your research
  • Creating podcasts from research
  • Search techniques

I need to configure it

ā†’ Check this: 5-CONFIGURATION

  • Choose and setup AI provider
  • API configuration
  • Database setup
  • Advanced tuning

I need provider-specific help

ā†’ Go here: 4-AI-PROVIDERS

  • OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Groq, Ollama, Azure
  • Model comparisons
  • Cost estimates
  • Setup paths

Something's not working

ā†’ Troubleshoot: 6-TROUBLESHOOTING

  • Quick fixes (top 10 issues)
  • Installation problems
  • Connection issues
  • AI/chat problems
  • Content processing issues
  • Podcast problems

I want to contribute/develop

ā†’ Read this: 7-DEVELOPMENT

  • Architecture and tech stack
  • Contributing guidelines
  • API reference
  • Testing

šŸ“Š Documentation Overview

By Section

0-START-HERE ā€” Entry point

  • What is Open Notebook?
  • Quick start guides (3 routes)
  • First 5 minutes

1-INSTALLATION ā€” Getting it running

  • Multiple installation routes
  • Docker Compose (recommended), from-source
  • Requirements and setup

2-CORE-CONCEPTS ā€” Understanding the system

  • Notebooks, sources, notes hierarchy
  • RAG (retrieval-augmented generation)
  • Chat, transformations, podcasts
  • Context management

3-USER-GUIDE ā€” Using features

  • Adding sources (all types)
  • Working with notes
  • Chat effectively
  • Creating podcasts
  • Searching (text and semantic)

4-AI-PROVIDERS ā€” AI configuration

  • Provider comparison
  • Setup for each provider
  • Model recommendations
  • Cost estimates

5-CONFIGURATION ā€” Complete reference

  • AI provider setup (detailed)
  • Database configuration
  • Server/API settings
  • Advanced tuning
  • Environment variables (complete reference)

6-TROUBLESHOOTING ā€” Problem solving

  • Quick fixes (top 10)
  • Installation issues
  • Connection problems
  • AI/chat issues
  • Content processing
  • Podcast generation
  • Getting help

7-DEVELOPMENT ā€” For contributors

  • Architecture
  • Contributing guidelines
  • API reference
  • Testing & development

šŸ” Find What You Need

By Problem Type

Installation & Setup

Using Open Notebook

Troubleshooting

Development

šŸ“š Reading Paths

Path 1: Complete Beginner (1-2 hours)

  1. 0-START-HERE/index.md ā€” Understand what it is
  2. 0-START-HERE Quick Start ā€” Set it up
  3. 2-CORE-CONCEPTS/index.md ā€” Understand concepts
  4. 3-USER-GUIDE/index.md ā€” Learn features

Result: Fully understand how to use Open Notebook

Path 2: Get Running Fast (15 minutes)

  1. 0-START-HERE ā€” Pick your path
  2. Follow quick-start guide for your setup
  3. Start using!

Result: Running in 15 minutes, learn details later

Path 3: DevOps/Deployment (1-2 hours)

  1. 1-INSTALLATION ā€” Understand routes
  2. 5-CONFIGURATION ā€” Reference setup
  3. 7-DEVELOPMENT - Architecture ā€” Understand system

Result: Ready to deploy to production

Path 4: Troubleshooting (5-30 minutes)

  1. 6-TROUBLESHOOTING/index.md ā€” Identify problem
  2. Find specific guide
  3. Follow solutions

Result: Problem solved!

ā“ Common Questions

Q: Where do I start? A: ā†’ 0-START-HERE ā€” Choose your setup path

Q: How do I install it? A: ā†’ 1-INSTALLATION ā€” Multiple routes available

Q: How do I use [feature]? A: ā†’ 3-USER-GUIDE ā€” Step-by-step tutorials

Q: Why does [feature] work like that? A: ā†’ 2-CORE-CONCEPTS ā€” Understand the mental model

Q: How do I configure [provider]? A: ā†’ 4-AI-PROVIDERS or 5-CONFIGURATION

Q: Something's broken, what do I do? A: ā†’ 6-TROUBLESHOOTING ā€” Problem solver

Q: How does the system work? A: ā†’ 2-CORE-CONCEPTS ā€” Architecture and concepts

Q: Can I contribute? A: ā†’ 7-DEVELOPMENT ā€” Contributing guide

šŸ“– How This Documentation is Organized

Principles

  • Progressive Disclosure: Start simple, go deeper if needed
  • Multiple Entry Routes: Different paths for different users
  • High Signal-to-Noise: Focused content, no fluff
  • Step-by-Step: Clear instructions you can follow
  • Decision Trees: Help you pick the right path
  • Symptom-Based: Troubleshooting by what's broken

Structure

  • 0-START-HERE ā€” Entry point (everyone starts here)
  • 1-INSTALLATION ā€” Multiple setup routes
  • 2-CORE-CONCEPTS ā€” Mental models (understand why)
  • 3-USER-GUIDE ā€” How to use (step-by-step)
  • 4-AI-PROVIDERS ā€” Provider guides
  • 5-CONFIGURATION ā€” Reference material
  • 6-TROUBLESHOOTING ā€” Problem solving
  • 7-DEVELOPMENT ā€” For contributors

šŸš€ Quick Navigation

First Time?

ā†’ START HERE

Just Want to Use It?

ā†’ QUICK START (5 minutes)

Something Broken?

ā†’ TROUBLESHOOTING

Full Reference?

ā†’ CONFIGURATION

Developer?

ā†’ DEVELOPMENT

šŸ“ž Getting Help

šŸ“ˆ Documentation Stats

  • 8 major sections
  • 35+ focused guides
  • ~80,000 words
  • Covers all features
  • Multiple entry paths
  • Progressive difficulty

šŸŽÆ Start Here

First time using Open Notebook? ā†’ Go to 0-START-HERE

Experienced, looking for specific help? ā†’ Use the navigation above to find your section

Something not working? ā†’ Go to TROUBLESHOOTING

Last updated: January 2026 | Open Notebook v1.2.4+