🖥️ surf - Run AI chats your way

🚀 What surf does

surf is a self-hosted AI chat app for Windows. It gives you a web UI and a terminal CLI in one tool. You can connect it to models from Ollama, OpenAI, and Anthropic. You can also use web search, browser agent tools, persistent memory, and usage analytics.

Use surf if you want one place to chat with AI, test prompts, and keep your chats in your own setup.

📥 Download surf

1. Open the surf releases page
2. Find the latest release at the top of the page
3. In the Assets list, download the Windows file
4. Save the file to your PC
5. If the file is a ZIP, extract it first
6. If the file is an EXE, double-click it to run it

For most users, the release page is the only place you need to visit to get the app.

🖱️ How to install on Windows

1. Get the file

Download the latest Windows build from the release page.

2. Open the download

If Windows shows the file in the bottom bar of your browser, click it.
If you saved it to Downloads, open that folder.

3. Extract the app if needed

If the download is a ZIP file:

• Right-click the ZIP file
• Select Extract All
• Choose a folder
• Open the extracted folder

4. Start surf

Look for the main app file, then:

• Double-click the .exe file to open the app
• If Windows asks for approval, select Run

5. Keep the files together

If the app came in a folder, keep all files in the same place. Do not move one file without the others.

🌐 First-time setup

When surf opens for the first time, you will set up your AI provider. You can use one of these:

• Ollama for local models on your own machine
• OpenAI for cloud-based models
• Anthropic for Claude models

You may also set up:

• A web search source for live lookup
• Browser automation for tasks in a web page
• Memory so surf can keep useful context
• Analytics so you can review usage patterns

🔑 Add your model provider

Ollama

Use Ollama if you want to run models on your own computer. You will need Ollama installed and running before surf can connect to it.

Typical setup steps:

• Open Ollama
• Make sure your model is available
• Copy the local endpoint settings into surf if asked
• Pick your model in the app

OpenAI

Use OpenAI if you want to connect to hosted models.

Typical setup steps:

• Get your API key from your OpenAI account
• Open surf settings
• Paste the API key in the provider field
• Choose the model you want to use

Anthropic

Use Anthropic if you want to use Claude models.

Typical setup steps:

• Get your API key from Anthropic
• Open surf settings
• Enter the key
• Select a Claude model

💬 Use the web app

The web UI is the easiest way to use surf.

You can use it to:

• Start a new chat
• Switch between models
• Review past conversations
• Save prompts you use often
• Use tools during a chat
• Keep memory across sessions

To begin:

1. Open surf
2. Go to the chat screen
3. Pick your model
4. Type your message
5. Press Send

⌨️ Use the terminal CLI

surf also includes a command-line mode for users who prefer a terminal window.

Use the CLI if you want to:

• Run quick prompts
• Work from PowerShell or Command Prompt
• Automate tasks
• Keep your workflow in the terminal

Basic use:

• Open Command Prompt or PowerShell
• Run the surf command from the app folder
• Type your prompt
• Read the response in the terminal

If you are not used to terminals, the web UI is the better place to start.

🔎 Web search

surf can use web search to find current information.

This helps when you need:

• News
• Product details
• Recent documentation
• Facts that change often

When web search is on, surf can look up results before it answers. This can help it give more current replies.

🤖 Browser agent automation

surf includes browser agent features for simple web tasks.

You can use this for:

• Filling forms
• Clicking pages
• Checking page content
• Moving through browser steps

This is useful when you want the AI to help with web work instead of only chat text.

🧠 Persistent memory

surf can keep memory across sessions.

That means it can remember things such as:

• Your preferred style
• Common tasks
• Ongoing project details
• Useful context from earlier chats

You can control what stays saved, so the app can keep the right context without forcing you to repeat yourself each time.

📊 Analytics

surf includes analytics so you can review how you use the app.

This can help you track:

• Which models you use most
• How often you chat
• Which tools you use
• Usage over time

If you run surf for work or study, this can help you see patterns in how you use it.

🖥️ Windows requirements

surf is built for modern Windows PCs.

Recommended setup:

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• A recent browser
• At least 8 GB RAM
• 2 GB free disk space
• Internet access for cloud models and web search

For local models with Ollama, a stronger PC helps. More RAM and a newer GPU can improve speed.

🧩 Common file types you may see

When you download surf, you may see one of these:

• .exe — double-click to run
• .zip — extract first, then run
• .msi — follow the Windows install window
• folder with app files — keep everything together and open the main app file

🛠️ If the app does not start

Try these steps:

1. Make sure the download finished fully
2. If it is a ZIP file, extract it first
3. Run the app again
4. Check that Windows did not block the file
5. Make sure all required files stay in the same folder
6. Restart your PC if the app still does not open

If the app opens but does not connect to a model, check your API key, model name, and local Ollama service.

🔐 Keep your keys safe

If you use OpenAI or Anthropic, your API key is personal.

Good habits:

• Do not share your key
• Store it only in surf settings or your trusted password manager
• Remove old keys you no longer use
• Use the right provider for the model you want

🧭 Basic workflow

A simple way to use surf:

1. Install the app
2. Connect a model provider
3. Turn on web search if you need live info
4. Use the web UI for chat
5. Use the CLI for quick terminal work
6. Save useful memory for later sessions

📁 Folder layout after setup

Your surf folder may include:

• The main app file
• Settings files
• Model config files
• Logs
• Cache files
• A folder for memory or session data

Keep this folder in a safe place if you want your settings and saved data to stay intact.

❓ What you can do with surf

You can use surf for:

• Daily chat with AI
• Writing help
• Research
• Local model testing
• Web-based tasks
• Repeating prompt workflows
• Project notes and memory
• Model comparison

🧪 Best first test

After install, try this simple test:

• Open surf
• Connect one model
• Ask: What can you do?
• Turn on web search and ask a current question
• Save a memory item if the app offers it
• Open the terminal CLI and send one short prompt

📦 Download and run

Visit the surf releases page, download the latest Windows file, and run it on your PC

🧭 Tips for a smooth start

• Use the latest release
• Start with one model provider
• Test the web UI before the CLI
• Keep your API key ready if you use cloud models
• Leave the app files in one folder
• Use Ollama if you want local control
• Use OpenAI or Anthropic if you want hosted models

📌 What to expect in surf

surf brings chat, search, browser tools, memory, and analytics into one app. That makes it useful if you want fewer tools to manage and one place to keep your AI work