Open Notebook

lfnovo/open-notebook

An open-source NotebookLM: import PDFs, web pages and videos for Q&A and summaries, and generate multi-speaker podcasts.

Why pick itSelf-hostable with any model (including local), so your data doesn't go to Google. Podcast speaker count and voices are customizable.

Install

InstallStart with Docker Compose per the README (image lfnovo/open_notebook)

GitHub: lfnovo/open-notebook
Website: open-notebook.ai
Stars: ★ 40.5k
License: MIT
Language: TypeScript
Last push: Oct 20, 2026
Category: Notes & knowledge

Good for

Import PDFs, videos, audio and web pages, then ask questions with cited sources
Run full-text and vector search across all your content
Generate podcasts with 1 to 4 speakers and custom profiles
Automate work through the full REST API

Getting started

Install Docker and download the official docker-compose.yml
Change OPEN_NOTEBOOK_ENCRYPTION_KEY in the file to a long random secret you generate
Run docker compose up -d, open http://localhost:8502 after about 30 seconds, and connect an AI provider under Models

Before you install

You need an AI provider API key or a local model server such as Ollama, and pay only for AI usage. The UI has no password by default and listens on all interfaces, so restrict the ports or set OPEN_NOTEBOOK_PASSWORD on shared networks.

Summarized by AI from the project docs; check the official docs before relying on it.

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