Folio

A SPACE TO THINK

A little more
understanding.

Your books, your questions, and a canvas to explore them. Read closely. Make an idea visible. Keep what clicks.

Download FolioTry an idea ↓

v1.0.0-beta.9 · Windows / macOS / Linux · Beta

A PASSAGE, OPENED UP

Turn an idea around.

Drag to look around · arrow keys work too

Folio reading workspace and interactive canvas.
Your reading, with room to explore.Actual app · Illustrative document

THE READING WORKSPACE

Stay with the idea.

From the page to the picture, and back again.

01 / READ

A home for your books.

Connect a local folder or import Zotero RDF. Navigate with outlines, full-text search, and on-device Chinese and English OCR.

02 / EXPLORE

Give an idea a shape.

Select a precise passage. Follow steps, compare ideas, or explore supported interactive and 3D demonstrations, with the explanation one click away.

123

1, 2, 3

03 / KEEP

Keep the connection.

Organize a result into Markdown and LaTeX notes. Preview and edit before saving, with source links and experiment states ready to revisit.

Start with something you want to understand.

  1. Bring your reading

    Connect a local folder, or import a PDF, TXT or Markdown file.

  2. Add AI when you need it

    Choose a provider, paste your API key and select a model.

  3. Follow one question

    Select a passage and drag it to the canvas. Explain, work through steps or experiment, then keep a note.

LOCAL FIRST. YOUR CHOICE.

Your library.
Your space.

Your books and notes live on your device. Connect your own model service when you want AI alongside you.

  • No Folio account needed to start reading.
  • API keys stay in memory, or are encrypted locally when you choose to save them.
  • AI requests send the question and relevant source context to your chosen service.
  • Automatic conversation notes are optional and off by default.

AI needs your own API key. Model usage is billed by your provider. This website uses no analytics or advertising cookies.

Folio app icon

FOLIO FOR YOUR DESKTOP

Make room for
your next idea.

Beta releases with update checks and manual installation. Windows is unsigned. macOS is not Apple-notarized and Gatekeeper may block first launch. The Linux package has passed installation and launch checks on Ubuntu 22.04 x64.

Release notes & checksums ↗

A FEW THINGS TO KNOW

Before you begin.

How do I get started?

Windows: run the EXE and choose an installation folder and optional desktop shortcut. macOS: open the DMG for your chip and drag Folio into Applications. Linux: open the DEB with your software installer, or run sudo apt install ./Folio-1.0.0-beta.9-linux-x64.deb. Connect your document folder, then paste your own API key in Settings if you want AI.

Can I use it without AI?

Yes. Reading, the local library, annotations and notes work without a model key. AI explanations and newly generated interactive views need your own model service. Saved experiments and local OCR work without a key.

What does this beta support?

PDF, TXT and Markdown, Chinese and English interfaces, and local OCR for printed text. Check complex formulas against the original image. 3D supports cube, tetrahedron and octahedron rotations, not arbitrary generated scenes. Zotero RDF import is one-way, not two-way sync.

How do I update or send feedback?

Close Folio before updating: run the new Windows installer, replace the macOS app in Applications, or install the newer Linux DEB. Removing the application keeps personal documents, notes and settings. Back up your workspace regularly; document copies are optional and API keys are excluded. For problems or suggestions, open an issue on GitHub. Avoid posting private documents or API keys.