> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> Open-source AI coworker that turns work into a knowledge graph and acts on it

<img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fc463b99-01b3-401c-b4a4-044dad480901" alt="Rowboat Hero" />

<img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fc463b99-01b3-401c-b4a4-044dad480901" alt="Rowboat Hero" />

# Open-source AI coworker with persistent memory

Rowboat connects to your email and meeting notes, builds a long-lived knowledge graph, and uses that context to help you get work done - privately, on your machine.

All your data is stored locally as plain Markdown in an Obsidian-compatible vault. No proprietary formats, no hosted lock-in.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Context that compounds" icon="brain">
    Most AI tools reconstruct context by searching transcripts. Rowboat maintains long-lived knowledge instead - relationships are explicit, notes accumulate over time, and memory compounds rather than starting cold.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local-first by design" icon="hard-drive">
    Everything lives on your machine as plain Markdown. Inspect, edit, back up, or delete your data at any time. Compatible with Obsidian and any text editor.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Real artifacts, not just chat" icon="file-code">
    Generate meeting briefs, draft emails grounded in history, create PDF slide decks from context, and produce real work artifacts - not just conversational responses.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Background agents" icon="robot">
    Spin up agents to handle repeatable work automatically: draft email replies, generate daily voice notes, create recurring project updates, and keep your knowledge graph current.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## What you can do with Rowboat

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Meeting prep" icon="calendar">
    Pull past decisions, open questions, and relevant threads into crisp briefs before meetings.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build decks" icon="presentation">
    Generate PDF slides using context from your knowledge graph.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Draft emails" icon="envelope">
    Write replies grounded in your history and commitments.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Voice memos" icon="microphone">
    Record notes that automatically capture and update key takeaways in the graph.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Follow-ups" icon="check-circle">
    Track decisions, action items, and owners so nothing gets dropped.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Query your graph" icon="search">
    Ask questions about people, projects, and context from your work.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How it's different

Rowboat maintains an **Obsidian-compatible vault** of plain Markdown notes with backlinks - a transparent "working memory" you can inspect and edit.

<Note>
  Your knowledge graph lives in `~/.rowboat/knowledge/` and follows entity-based organization:

  * **People/** - Contacts with roles, organizations, and interaction history
  * **Projects/** - Active work with status, decisions, and commitments
  * **Organizations/** - Companies and teams you work with
  * **Topics/** - Domain knowledge and recurring themes
  * **Voice Memos/** - Recorded notes organized by date
</Note>

The result is memory that accumulates over time, not retrieval that starts cold every session.

## Integrations

Rowboat builds memory from the work you already do:

* **Gmail** - Email threads and communication history
* **Google Calendar** - Meeting schedules and context
* **Google Drive** - Document access
* **Granola** - Meeting notes
* **Fireflies** - Meeting transcripts

## Bring your own model

Rowboat works with the model setup you prefer:

* **Local models** via Ollama or LM Studio
* **Hosted models** - OpenAI, Anthropic, Google (bring your own API key)
* Swap models anytime - your data stays in your local Markdown vault

Configuration lives in `~/.rowboat/config/models.json`.

## Extend with tools (MCP)

Connect to external tools and services via **Model Context Protocol (MCP)**. Plug in search, databases, CRMs, support tools, and automations.

<Info>
  Examples: Exa (web search), Twitter/X, ElevenLabs (voice), Slack, Linear, Jira, GitHub, and custom internal tools.
</Info>

## Open source and transparent

Rowboat is built in the open. Inspect the code, contribute features, or fork and customize for your workflow.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="View on GitHub" icon="github" href="https://github.com/rowboatlabs/rowboat">
    Star the repo and follow development
  </Card>

  <Card title="Join Discord" icon="discord" href="https://discord.gg/wajrgmJQ6b">
    Get help and share feedback with the community
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Ready to get started?

<Card title="Quickstart Guide" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
  Download Rowboat and connect your first data source in under 5 minutes
</Card>