Question 1

Do I have to import my own paper library?

Accepted Answer

It is not required—Ask with context and basis-backed polish still work without a library.

We strongly recommend importing your reference PDFs early: recall by keyword, contextual Q&A, and basis-backed polish all revolve around your own library.

Importing your library is the essential foundation for getting the most out of Flowing.

Question 2

How is Flowing different from ChatGPT or generic AI writing tools?

Accepted Answer

Flowing is a desktop tool for writing with context, not empty chat.

Core workflow: keyword-grounded recall, Ask with context (attach draft or library passages in a few clicks), basis-backed polish, and evidence-backed continue writing—each suggestion linked to local library snippets you can verify on the card.

Compared to generic platforms like ChatGPT, that grounding delivers stronger reliability and convergence: continuation stays on your thread with cited evidence, not open-ended filler.

Context-based polish draws on the same attached passages, so rewrites stay more unified in style and tone—closer to your manuscript, with fewer unsupported claims.

Question 3

Which models does Flowing use? Do I need my own API keys?

Accepted Answer

Flowing currently routes through DeepSeek and Kimi (Moonshot), split by feature.

Keywords Searching (snippet recall, proper-noun extraction, domain filtering, and related tasks) uses DeepSeek. Ask with context and basis-backed polish use Kimi—including multimodal understanding when PDF figures are cited.

You do not configure API keys yourself; Flowing’s backend proxies the calls. Default model versions may change with releases (currently DeepSeek and Kimi K2 family). Pro+ can unlock stronger model options.

Question 4

What editing modes are supported? Can LaTeX users use Flowing?

Accepted Answer

Flowing supports rich text and LaTeX side by side with switching anytime—equations, tables, figures, and more.

Live PDF preview shows exports exactly as they will look, whether you prefer Word-style editing or LaTeX source.

Question 5

How many papers do I need in my library?

Accepted Answer

Anything from dozens to thousands of PDFs works. A larger library gives recall and polish more to draw on.

Even a focused set of core papers is enough to experience the full keyword → context → polish loop. Start with references most relevant to your current project.

Question 6

Where are my papers and drafts stored? Are they uploaded to the cloud?

Accepted Answer

Flowing is a desktop app: your library, vector index, and draft files stay on your machine by default.

When you use AI features (retrieval, Q&A, polish), only the necessary context snippets are sent to model services—we do not host your full PDF library on our servers.

Question 7

Monthly subscription vs prepaid tokens—what is the difference?

Accepted Answer

Monthly plans give a fixed token allowance each cycle; unused balance resets when the cycle rolls. Best for steady, frequent writing.

Prepaid packs are one-time purchases that never expire. Best for short, intense bursts—deadline crunches or revision sprints.

They stack together: each cycle spends your monthly allowance first, then prepaid covers overflow.

Write almost every day? Pro/Pro+ monthly. Occasional spikes? Prepaid packs.

Question 8

Which plan fits me—Free, Pro, or Pro+?

Accepted Answer

Free: light trial with unlimited manual keyword search and limited AI recommendations and Q&A.

Pro (recommended): daily writing with 5M tokens/month and generous recall, Ask with context, and basis-backed polish.

Pro+: heavy usage, stronger model options, and 15M tokens/month (3× Pro). Check remaining balance in the app before upgrading.

Question 9

What uses tokens? Is manual search billed?

Accepted Answer

Manual keyword search does not consume monthly tokens on Free and above—you can search your library freely.

Tokens apply to Keywords Searching (automatic snippet recommendations while writing), Ask with context, basis-backed polish, and other AI features sharing one monthly pool.

The app shows per-feature usage and remaining balance.

Question 10

How do I activate, subscribe, or pay on the website?

Accepted Answer

Download the desktop app and complete device activation (invitation or free activation).

For Pro/Pro+ or prepaid packs, start checkout in the app.

To pay in the browser via Stripe, copy the claim code from the app, paste it on this site’s pricing page for the matching tier, and finish payment.

Entitlements shown in the app are authoritative.

Questions & answers