Choose your setup

Pick the smallest setup that does what you need.

Start with the Mac app. Add sync, CLI tools, or self-hosting later, when you actually need them.

Recommended paths

Other setups

Need Use Start with
Understand first-run processing Ingestion and syncing Local processing vs Cloud sync.
Linux or server-side search Contextify CLI Linux guide.
Control your own cloud server Contextify Cloud Self-Hosted Self-hosted quickstart.
Switch between hosted and self-hosted cloud Cloud target switching Switch between hosted and self-hosted Cloud.
Fix missing history Troubleshooting Missing projects or conversations.
Fix cloud connection errors Cloud troubleshooting Cloud sync troubleshooting.

Last updated: May 30, 2026