InsightPage - Getting Started

InsightPage Assistant: Getting Started

Welcome to InsightPage! InsightPage is an open, privacy-first Personal Knowledge Management (PKM) browser extension with integrated AI assistance, helping you turn web browsing, research, and note-taking into a seamless workflow.

System Overview & Information Flow

Below are architectural diagrams illustrating how InsightPage organizes its functionalities into four core pillars and how data flows between your browser, the AI engine, and your local files.

The Four Core Pillars of InsightPage

graph TD
    classDef default fill:#f9f9f9,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px;
    classDef highlight fill:#d4edda,stroke:#28a745,stroke-width:2px;

    A[InsightPage Assistant] --> B(1. AI Chat Engine)
    A --> C(2. Floating Assistant)
    A --> D(3. Note Viewer & Vault)
    A --> E(4. Context & Clipping)

    class B,C,D,E highlight;

Information Flow Diagram

sequenceDiagram
    autonumber
    actor User as User / Browser Tab
    participant FW as Floating Assistant
    participant CP as Side Panel (Chat & Vault)
    participant AI as AI Engine (Local/Cloud)
    participant FS as Local Markdown Vault (PC)

    User->>FW: Highlight text & Open Floating Window
    FW->>AI: Send page context + User Query
    AI-->>FW: Stream in-context answer
    User->>CP: Clip content / Append to Note
    CP->>FS: Save directly as standard Markdown file (.md)
    CP->>AI: Run semantic hybrid search (RAG)

🚀 Quick Setup & Configuration

InsightPage is designed to be highly configurable and operates under a Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) model. Access settings anytime by clicking your persona’s avatar in the top-left corner of the side panel.

  1. API & Model Access:
    • Cloud Providers: Direct support for OpenAI, Google Gemini, Groq, OpenRouter, and custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
    • Local Inference: Connect zero-cost local LLMs via Ollama (http://localhost:11434/v1) or LM Studio (http://localhost:1234/v1).
    • All keys and endpoints are stored purely within your local browser storage.
  2. Local Markdown Vault Setup:
    • Open the Note System tab.
    • Click Connect Folder and pick any local folder on your computer using the Web File System Access API.
    • Notes are immediately written directly to disk as .md files without intermediate proprietary cloud servers.
  3. AI Personas & Prompt Customization:
    • Customize personality prompts (Research, Business, Concise Explainer, Code Assistant) and upload custom persona avatars.
  4. Themes & UI Customization:
    • Switch between built-in themes (Paper, Night Sepia, Moss, Light, Dark) or create your own custom color scheme.

🛠️ Common Troubleshooting & Quick-Fixes

  • AI fails to respond: Verify your internet connection for cloud models, or ensure your local Ollama/LM Studio server is running on the correct port (e.g., http://localhost:11434/v1).
  • RAG Search returns empty results: If in Manual Mode, remember to open Embedding Management in the main menu and click Rebuild or Update to index your notes and chats.
  • File System directory disconnects: Browsers require user permission to access local folders after a browser restart. Go to the Note System and click “Reconnect” or select your folder again to restore access.

📚 Further Reading