Prepare your library

Create a library, import reference PDFs, and wait for parsing to finish.

Importing your library is the foundation for Recall, Ask with context, and basis-backed polish. Even a focused set of core papers is enough to experience the full loop.

Create a library and import PDFs

Open Libraries
From the top navigation, open Libraries—this is where your reference PDFs live.
Click New Library
Give your library a name (for example, default or a project name).
Select PDF files or a folder
Flowing imports every PDF it finds and begins parsing text for search and AI features.
Wait for parsing
Large files may take several minutes. Progress shows which PDF is being chunked (for example, 2/7).

New Library dialog with library name and PDF import — Create a library and point Flowing at a folder of PDF papers.

Import progress bar while chunking PDFs — Parsing progress while text is extracted from each PDF.

Import and background parsing

Run in background button during PDF import — Use Run in background while large libraries finish parsing.

While importing, Flowing splits each PDF into searchable passages and builds metadata (title, citations, dates). Large libraries may take several minutes—that is normal.

Library list showing import complete — When parsing finishes, the library is ready for search.

Your data stays local

Flowing is a desktop app: your PDFs, drafts, and search index stay on your machine by default. Only the snippets needed for AI features are sent to model services when you use them.