TAKE A CLOSER LOOK
A guide for your next step
Find your platform’s manual, understand where your data lives, and get answers before you begin.
A clear starting point
macOS User Guide
144 illustrated pages · macOS 1.1.0 · 28 October 2026. Includes Zotero integration, library import, in-app updates, AI Access, and research workflows.
Open macOS guidePDF ↗Windows User Guide
113 illustrated pages · Windows 1.1.0 · 28 October 2026. Includes Zotero integration and library import, Windows update checks, backup, AI Access and research workflows.
Open Windows guideGITHUB ↗Explore the project
Read the source, installation instructions, and documentation in the project repository.
View repositoryLICENSE 1.1 ↗Built for research
Use, modify, and share under the academic and non-commercial research terms. Commercial use requires written authorization.
Read the licenseFiles you can inspect
Context you can revisit
One App. Your own database
Install the App separately from your Gewu Database folder. The macOS App menu’s Database Location shows the active folder. Replacing the App preserves the saved location.
Back up the research you keep
Close the App before backing up the full research folder and any external linked originals. Copying the App or source checkout alone does not back up your papers. Online discovery and AI services still need a connection.
A few useful answers
What runs locally, what needs a connection, and how to get started.
Choose your platform guide ↗Does Gewu work offline?
Your library and managed files are local. You can return to saved papers and notes without fetching them again. Finding new papers, refreshing metadata, visiting publisher pages, and using an online AI provider require a connection.
Do I need an AI account to use it?
No. The library, monitors, Browser, and publication management work without an AI token. AI Access is an optional connection to a compatible external client; it is off by default.
What happens when a preprint is published?
A paper can retain identifiers, versions, and sources around one persistent identity. Paper Files separates publications, preprints, accepted manuscripts, supplements, and notes. You can choose the Default file. Supported correction notices and their files stay linked to the original work.
Can I bring my existing PDFs and folders?
Yes. Drag PDFs into a Library folder or use Folder Loader to import a directory tree. You can also review and save an article through Browser. Check the imported metadata and file classifications in the app.
Does it download every article?
Availability depends on the source, your network, and institutional access. Gewu respects service limits and access controls. It keeps incomplete or failed states visible so you can see what still needs attention.
Which platforms are supported?
The macOS app requires macOS 14+ and supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Windows requires Windows 10 version 1607+ (build 14393+) or Windows 11 on an x64-compatible system. Both are version 1.1.0, include Python and have separate User Guides. The product gallery shows macOS; platform-specific examples are labeled.
How is the software licensed?
Gewu is source-available under its custom Academic and Non-Commercial Research License. Research users may use, modify, and share original or modified versions under those terms, retaining notices and identifying changes. Commercial use requires separate prior written authorization.
How should I back up my workspace?
Close the App, locate your selected Gewu Database folder, and back up its full contents along with any external linked originals. Copying the App or GitHub checkout is not a research-data backup. An automatic pre-upgrade SQLite snapshot does not include all research files; a folder export also does not replace a full backup.
Can I use an AI assistant other than Codex?
Yes. Codex and DeepSeek Harness have both been used with Gewu Insight. Another client needs local stdio MCP support and Gewu’s generated connection configuration. Claude Code supports that transport, but has not been tested here with Gewu. The same collection and operation permissions apply.