Create a project, add a document, and use search to find it again. You can then connect the optional browser and AI features you need.
ThinkForge Desktop is available for Windows and Mac (Apple Silicon). See Installation and Updates for the available installation steps.
Choose your projects folder
On first launch, choose a writable projects folder in Welcome to Think Forge. On Windows, the default is Documents\Think Forge\Projects.
An existing installation can reopen its saved projects without asking again. To change the default location later, open Settings → General.
If an access dialog prevents the app from opening, follow the message there. See Editions and Licensing.
Create or open a project
Open Projects from the main command bar, then select Create New Project. Choose a workspace template and the components you want, or create a generic project.
To open an existing project, double-click its row on the Projects page, or select it and choose Open. Use Add Existing Project Folder… for a folder outside the default projects location.
The active project determines which files, search results, workspaces, and capture destinations you use. See Projects and Documents.
Add your first document
In Project Navigator, right-click a folder and create a Markdown document. Use Other Document Types for another offered format.
Write a few lines, then use File → Save. On Windows, the default shortcut is Ctrl+S. Application shortcuts can be changed under Settings → Hotkeys.
Markdown and HTML use the document editor. Code and plain text use the code editor in main-window tabs. CSV and TSV have a read-only table view. Images, PDFs, and supported videos have viewers.
See Document editor, Code editor, and View files.
Find the document again
Use Project Navigator search to find your text. Supported text documents are indexed locally. Semantic search can find related meaning without sending the project to an embedding service.
Images, PDFs, videos, and CSV files can be browsed, but their contents are not read by the general search index.
Keep quick actions available
Power Strip stays above other applications. Quick Note saves a note to the active project's _captured folder. Tasks opens that project's task board.
Use the + button at the end of Power Strip to customize its commands. To rearrange the strip directly, right-click it and select Rearrange Commands. See Customization.
Floating Navigator gives you a separate project tree. Smart Clipboard keeps captured clipboard entries available for reuse. Their shortcuts are shown under Settings → Hotkeys.
Connect AI when you need it
For AI-backed Tools, open Settings → API Key. In AI connections, choose the Connection, enter its required credential, select the Model, and choose Save default.
For OpenRouter, use Search to find a model and Add selected to add it to the list, then save the default configuration.
AI features send the context used for that request to the selected provider. Ordinary project browsing, editing, and local search do not require an AI connection.
See Settings and Preferences and Running Tools.
Connect Chrome or an AI client
The optional Think Forge Extension desktop companion captures supported conversations, pages, and selections from Chrome. Follow Chrome Extension Installation and keep ThinkForge running.
To connect an AI client through MCP, open Settings → MCP Config. See Using MCP with AI Clients. MCP gives the client access to project search and document operations; it does not currently run user-created Tools.
Protect your work
Back up complete project folders, including captured material.
Before removing a local project, read the confirmation carefully. Even with Also delete all project files permanently unchecked, removal deletes the project's .fire and _captured folders. Move or back up important captured documents first.
For help with the control you are using, hover or focus it and press F1. Supported controls open relevant User Docs results without switching your active project.