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Getting started

1. Activate the installation

Enter the one-time activation code supplied with the private preview. Business Index stores the signed licence in its local Docker volume.

Activation sends the code, a random installation identifier, product version, and computer platform to the licence service. It does not send filenames, documents, questions, embeddings, or answers.

2. Choose folders

Select Choose folders on the welcome screen. Business Index asks its signed local controller to open the normal macOS or Windows folder picker.

Only select folders whose contents should contribute to the index. Selected folders are mounted read-only into the application containers. Additional folders can be added or removed later from Sources.

Removing a folder removes its indexed content from the local database. It does not delete or modify the original files.

3. Choose a model profile

Business Index recommends profiles using the memory available to Docker. The smallest profile uses less disk space and memory; larger chat models generally produce better answers but respond more slowly.

Models download after setup and remain in a local Docker volume. See Models and hardware before selecting a larger model on a laptop.

4. Wait for searchable content

The Overview and Sources screens distinguish between:

  • Indexing — work remains in the queue;
  • Search ready — discovered supported documents are searchable;
  • Complete with exceptions — indexing finished, but some files failed or are unsupported.

Files that are already indexed can be searched while other files continue in the background. Dates and times are displayed in the browser's local time zone.

5. Ask a question

Open Ask and enter a question about the indexed documents. Useful starting questions include:

  • What did I quote Acme last time?
  • Which document mentions the August deadline?
  • What do my files say about this customer?
  • Find the proposal that includes quarterly support.

Answers show the number of sources actually cited. If the indexed evidence does not support an answer, Business Index displays 0 sources.