Hister: A private search engine for the pages you visit and the files you keep (github.com)

Article summary

Hister is a private search engine that indexes the full contents of web pages and local files, allowing users to search for information from a web interface, terminal, or AI assistant. It is designed to be privacy-focused, with no telemetry or mandatory cloud service, and can be run locally or on infrastructure controlled by the user. Hister supports full-text and semantic search, and can import browser history, index local directories, and import files. The project is open-source and available on GitHub.

Main themes

• private search engine
• privacy-focused
• self-hosted
• full-text search
• semantic search
• personal knowledge base
• open-source
• vendor lock-in
• integration with other tools
• archival tools
• multi-user support
• authentication and security

What commenters say

• Some users find Hister useful for searching and organizing their personal browsing history and files.
• Others have used similar tools in the past, such as Google Desktop Search, and appreciate the privacy-focused approach of Hister.
• There are concerns about vendor lock-in and dependence on specific services or tools, even if they are open-source or self-hosted.
• Integrating Hister with other tools, such as bookmark managers or offline Wikipedia caches, could enhance its functionality.
• The project's focus on creating an active knowledge base and finding information quickly is distinct from other archival tools.
• Some users appreciate the ability to run Hister on a local server and access it from multiple machines.
• The need for a private search engine like Hister is highlighted by the limitations and risks of relying on third-party search providers.
• Hister's support for multi-user setups and authentication tokens adds to its flexibility and security.