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Kensaku
Kensaku is a local desktop search application that finds documents, images, and code instantly.
Kensaku helps you find files on your computer using names, full text, and meaning. It supports documents like PDF, DOCX, PPTX, XLSX, EPUB, and plain text, alongside code, logs, and images with OCR capabilities. The app indexes around 100,000 files in seconds and runs locally on your machine with no account or telemetry required. It operates as a launcher that stays hidden in the tray and summons with a keystroke. AI agents can also search the local index over MCP.
Kensaku at a glance
- Best for: Software engineer
- Runs on: Windows, macOS, Linux, CLI, open source
- Pricing: Free (MIT)
- Released: October 2026
- Category: AI productivity tool
- Website: github.com/yjid/kensaku
Key features
- Filename and full-text search across various document formats
- OCR text extraction for images and screenshots
- Incremental indexing for changed files
- Time travel filters like last week and yesterday
- Space previews for PDFs, images, and text
- AI agent integration via Model Context Protocol
- Global summon keystroke and tray operation
Use it for
- Locating files by describing their content or meaning
- Searching error text inside screenshots using OCR
- Finding specific code snippets or log lines in folders
- Giving local index access to AI agents like Claude
Alternatives to Kensaku
- Dossier — Runs on your own server with your database and your choice of AI model.
- FreeApply — It runs locally and works with the AI app you already use.
- Kaiku — Wire-level MCP compatibility lets existing AI agents work without custom bridges.
- Macaroni — Tracks folder changes made by AI agents without writing to files.
- Docling — Provides advanced PDF understanding and local execution for sensitive data.
- Lisorto — Previews every move before execution and provides one-click undo capabilities.
- Shobr — Uses your authenticated browser to scrape and apply without detection.
- Xberg — Extracts documents, code, images, and audio using one native-Rust engine.
- Rme PDF Scanner — It runs entirely on-device with zero ads, tracking, or backend servers.
- I had 100 tabs open — Replaces tab hoarding with a private local search command bar.
- bento — Local-first office documents that work offline forever with zero cloud dependency.
- Okaeri — Runs entirely on your machine to rank feeds privately using local AI models.
All Kensaku alternatives