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Semantic File Explorer Documentation

Learn how to leverage Semantic File Explorer to search, manage, and browse your local files using advanced semantic search, filename search, real-time file monitoring, and visual thumbnail previews for images and videos.

Getting Started

Set up and explore the core functionalities of Semantic File Explorer to start managing your files efficiently.

  • Installation Guide

    Install the application on Windows, macOS, or Linux using Tauri. Configure initial settings like monitored directories and indexing preferences.

  • Quick Start Tutorial

    Follow a step-by-step guide to browse files, perform your first semantic search, and view thumbnails in the file explorer.

  • UI Overview

    Navigate the interface, including the sidebar for directory navigation, search bar for queries, and grid/list views for file browsing with thumbnail previews.

Search Features

Discover powerful search capabilities, including semantic search for content meaning, filename search, and multimodal search for text and images.

  • Semantic Search

    Find text documents by their meaning using natural language queries. Powered by BGESmallENV15 model and LanceDB for vector-based similarity search.

  • Filename Search

    Search files by name using live filesystem traversal with the rust_search crate. Supports case-insensitive searches and category filtering (e.g., Documents, Images).

  • Multimodal Search

    Combine text and image searches with a single query, using NomicEmbedVisionV15 for images and NomicEmbedTextV15 for text queries, enabling cross-modal retrieval.

Indexing & File Management

Understand how the system indexes files, monitors changes, and generates thumbnails for an enhanced browsing experience.

  • File Indexing

    Learn how files are processed: content extraction (extractous for PDFs, direct reads for text), text chunking (500-1500 characters), and embedding storage in LanceDB.

  • File System Monitoring

    Real-time monitoring of directories using the notify crate to detect file changes and update the semantic index automatically.

  • Thumbnail Generation

    Generate visual previews for images (PNG, JPG, etc.) using the image crate and videos (MP4, MOV, etc.) using ffmpeg-next, cached for performance.

Customization & Troubleshooting

Tailor the application to your needs and resolve common issues with ease.

  • Preferences

    Configure monitored directories, search modes, thumbnail settings, and UI themes to suit your workflow.

  • Keyboard Shortcuts

    Use shortcuts for faster navigation and search operations within the application.

  • FAQ

    Find answers to common questions about setup, indexing, and search functionality.

  • Support

    Access troubleshooting guides and contact support for advanced issues, including database repair tools.