What it does
Vane is an AI answering engine: you ask a question, it searches the web, then writes an answer with links to the sources it used. It runs on your own hardware and searches through SearxNG, a privacy-friendly search tool, so your searches stay private.
It can use local AI models through Ollama or cloud providers like OpenAI, Claude and Gemini. It offers quick or deeper research modes, image and video search, uploading files to ask questions about them, and a saved search history.
Who it's for
People who want a Perplexity-style search assistant they control.
Can I use it without coding?
With some setup. Runs with a single Docker command, then is set up in a web browser. New to this? Start here.
Can I run it?
- Cost
- FreeNothing to pay or sign up for.
- Runs on
- Mac, Windows, Linux
- Privacy
- Your choice: run it on your device or use an online service
- API key
- Not needed
Try it
- Install Docker on your computer.
- Start Vane with the single Docker command shown in the README.
- Open it in your browser and choose your AI models in the setup screen.
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