surf

What it does

Keeps PDFs, web pages and your own writing in one place so you can move between them while thinking, rather than juggling tabs and pasting fragments into a document. Data is stored locally in open formats, which means you can still get at it if you stop using the app. Desktop builds for Mac, Windows and Linux, no command line. Check which AI features send content to an external service before putting sensitive material in, and expect the design to keep shifting - it is young and actively developed.

Summary based on the project's own description. The Japanese page has a fuller beginner guide: setup difficulty, what to prepare, and a step-by-step start.

Screenshots & visuals

Before you start

• Setup difficultySome setup needed
• Command lineNot required
• API keyNot required
• Sends data onlineYes

Judged automatically from the project's own metadata. Always confirm on the official page.

surf FAQ

Is surf free?

Yes. It runs on your own machine, so there is no usage-based cost either.

Do I need to install anything or write code to use surf?

You install it like a normal desktop app. No command line involved.

Does surf work on a phone?

No. It needs a computer.

Can I use surf commercially?

The licence is Apache-2.0, which permits commercial use. Conditions such as keeping the copyright notice still apply, so read the licence text before shipping it inside something.

How it compares

The conditions that decide whether you can actually use it, side by side.

"Sends data out" means your input is uploaded to someone's server. Pick "No" when the material cannot leave your organisation.

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