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Library

Library is Toby’s catalog of files you want to keep: notes, Markdown, PDFs, and images. Toby copies each file into its data folder, writes a short description, and lets chat search or open the file later.

Library is not a project folder and not a memory. Chat does not dump the whole catalog into every conversation. Ask Toby to find or add a file, or browse the list in the app.

What you can add​

  • Plain text and Markdown
  • PDF
  • Images (PNG, JPEG, WebP, GIF)

Other types are rejected. Adding the same file twice keeps the existing item instead of creating a duplicate.

In the app​

Open View → Library (⌘0), click Library in the sidebar, or search for Open Library in the command palette (⌘K).

The workspace is a searchable list. Nothing is selected until you choose a row. A details bar at the bottom shows title, description, type, size, indexing status, and dates. Use Add to import files, Refresh to reload, Quick Look or Reveal for the stored copy, and Delete to remove the item and its file.

Rows that are still indexing show an outline while Toby writes the description. Failed items keep an error in the inspector.

In chat​

Ask naturally:

  • “Keep this PDF in my library.”
  • “What’s in my library?” / “List everything in my library.”
  • “Find the lease in my library.”
  • “Open that screenshot I saved last week.”
  • “Remove the old draft from the library.”

Toby can list the whole catalog (documents and images) or search by keywords and meaning. Opening a document loads its extracted text; opening an image lets the model see the picture.

Where files live​

Copies are stored under ~/.toby/library/. Catalog rows live in the same database as chats (chat.sqlite). Extracted text is a sidecar file next to the original, not a second copy of the document in the database.

Summaries​

When you add a file, Toby uses a small model to write a short description (or an image caption). Choose that model in Settings → Library. It defaults to a cheap model on your usual AI provider.

Backup and sync​

Library files are included in File → Backup Toby Data… and in optional Settings → Sync → Data backups. They are not live-synced across Macs with settings sync. Restoring a backup replaces this Mac’s library from the snapshot.

  • Memories — durable facts, not files
  • Projects — scoped folders with their own chats and files
  • Settings sync — what is (and is not) mirrored live