What it does
serviette builds a question-answering assistant over a folder of documents. It shows a chat page and gives answers with the sources they came from.
Its main feature is keeping up with changes. When you edit, add or delete a file, its makers say the answers reflect that within seconds, with no need to re-upload anything. It works with eight different vector databases (special databases that let AI search by meaning).
By default it can keep your documents on your own machine. Only the few passages needed for a question are sent to an AI model service, and only if you set one up.
Who it's for
Small teams and organisations that want a private assistant for their own documents, and the person who sets it up.
Can I use it without coding?
With some setup. Installed with Python and set up through a guided wizard and one settings file. There is no point-and-click installer. New to this? Start here.
Can I run it?
- Cost
- FreeNothing to pay or sign up for.
- Runs on
- Server, Web browser
- Computer
- An ordinary computer is fine
- Privacy
- Your choice: run it on your device or use an online service
- API key
- Not needed
Try it
- Get a free Pathway license key from the Pathway website.
- Install serviette and run its setup wizard to point it at your folder of documents.
- Open the chat page in your web browser and ask questions about your files.
Using Claude Code, Cursor or another AI coding assistant? Paste the prompt and it will walk you through the setup.New to this?
Before you install
- Only download from the official GitHub page. Copies with similar names exist for many popular projects.
- License (MIT): Very permissive: free to use, change and share, including for business.
- More on staying safe