About Askimo
A personal project to build the AI tool I wished existed
Why I Built Askimo
When I first started working on Askimo, I didn't plan to build a big project. I just wanted something simple that could solve the problems I was facing every day.
The Problems I Faced Daily
Like many people trying to get the most out of AI tools, I was juggling multiple applications and services. Some tools solved one or two of these problems, but none of them solved all of them:
Browser-based tools that crashed during long conversations
Most AI clients are just web browser wrappers. After a lengthy chat session, the browser would freeze, and I'd lose my entire conversation history. I had to constantly start over. (Some native apps existed, but they locked you into one AI provider.)
Repeatedly explaining my context and data
Every new chat session meant re-introducing my project details, my files, and my preferences. There was no persistent memory across conversations. (RAG tools existed, but they didn't support multiple AI providers or had poor user experience.)
No customization for my writing style and needs
I wanted to define my tone, my preferences, and switch between them quickly for different tasks. Some tools added this later, but they weren't the ones I liked using. (Tools with good customization often lacked other critical features.)
Network restrictions and availability issues
At home, I could use OpenAI and Gemini. In some work environments or locations, they were blocked. I had to switch to browser-based tools with strict limits and missing features. (Local AI solutions existed, but switching between local and cloud providers was complicated.)
Manual, repetitive tasks
After working on something, I wanted AI to help me summarize changes, write better descriptions, or automate routine tasks. Instead, I found myself doing the same things over and over manually. (Automation tools existed, but they didn't integrate well with desktop applications or support context-aware features.)
The Moment It Clicked
What if I could build a native AI tool that solved all of these problems in one place?
Not just another web wrapper. Not just another single-provider app. Not just RAG without good user experience. A real desktop application that brings everything together:
That idea became the starting point for Askimo.
The Bigger Vision
Askimo started as a tool to solve my own problems, but it represents something bigger:
Empowering individuals and small teams to leverage AI without enterprise resources.
Right now, only big corporations have the resources to develop custom AI solutions. They build dedicated teams, proprietary RAG systems, and tailored decision-support agents.
But what about:
- 🧑💼 The solo developer who wants AI to understand their entire codebase?
- 💼 The small business owner who needs AI to analyze their data?
- 📈 The individual investor who wants to customize which sources AI uses for stock research?
- 🏢 The startup that can't afford a dedicated AI team?
Askimo aims to democratize AI tooling. With RAG indexing, smart decision-support agents, and multi-provider flexibility, anyone can build their own AI-powered workflows.
You shouldn't need venture capital or a 10-person team to have AI that understands your business, your code, and your decision-making process. You just need the right tool.
What Makes Askimo Different
Built for Real Use
Askimo isn't a side project I built once and forgot about. It's something I use every day. Every feature exists because it solved a real problem - whether from my own needs, my team mates' frustrations, or friends' pain points.
Privacy-First
All your data stays local. RAG indexes are stored on your machine. API keys are encrypted. No telemetry, no cloud sync, no data collection.
Learn about our security & privacyNo Vendor Lock-In
Switch between OpenAI, Claude, Gemini, Ollama, and 8+ providers without changing tools. Your chat history and projects stay with you.
Open Source
AGPLv3 licensed. Anyone can use it, modify it, or contribute to it. Transparency and community-driven development.
Where We Are Now
Askimo is actively developed and already provides significant value:
Core Features
Supported AI Providers (8+)
Cloud Providers
- ▸ OpenAI GPT-5.2, GPT-4o, o1, o3-mini
- ▸ Anthropic Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Opus, Haiku
- ▸ Google Gemini 2.0 Flash, Pro, Ultra
- ▸ Grok Grok 2, Grok 2 mini
Local & Self-Hosted
- ▸ Ollama Run any local model (Llama, Mistral, etc.)
- ▸ LM Studio Local model server
- ▸ LocalAI OpenAI-compatible self-hosted
- ▸ Docker AI Containerized AI models
Want to use a different AI provider?
Request a Provider on GitHubWhat's Coming Next
The roadmap ahead is focused on making AI more accessible and powerful for everyone:
Ingest knowledge from diverse sources:
- • Development: Database schemas, configuration files, build logs, API documentation
- • Finance: SEC filings, financial reports, market data for investment analysis
- • Business Intelligence: Website monitoring for pricing, competitor analysis, market trends
- • Research: Academic papers, industry reports, regulatory documents
- • E-commerce: Product catalogs, customer reviews, inventory data
Create customizable AI agents that understand your specific domain and workflows:
- • Investment Advisor: Analyze SEC filings, earnings reports, and market trends to support buy/sell decisions
- • Code Reviewer: Understand your coding standards, security requirements, and project patterns for automated reviews
- • Business Analyst: Monitor competitor pricing, industry news, and market shifts to inform strategy
- • Research Assistant: Synthesize academic papers, patents, and technical documents for literature reviews
- • Content Strategist: Analyze audience engagement, trending topics, and brand voice for content planning
- • Legal Advisor: Cross-reference contracts, regulations, and case law for compliance checks
- • Product Manager: Track feature requests, user feedback, and market demands to prioritize roadmap
Have an idea for a new feature?
Askimo's roadmap is shaped by the community. If you have a feature request or use case that would make Askimo more valuable for you, we'd love to hear it! Submit your ideas on GitHub and help shape the future of Askimo.
Submit a Feature RequestAbout the Creator
Hai Nguyen
Creator & Lead Developer
I'm someone who builds tools to help people utilize AI better and more flexibly. As Askimo's first user, I started with my own needs, but the tool has evolved based on feedback from users, teammates, and the community. Every update is driven by real-world use cases and pain points people actually face.
Askimo is constantly evolving alongside AI advancements. As new models and capabilities emerge, we adapt and integrate them. It's taught me that AI doesn't replace work - it extends it. And when built with community feedback, it becomes a tool that serves everyone better.
Open Source & Community
Askimo is 100% open source (AGPLv3 license). This means:
- ✅ Free to use for personal and commercial projects
- ✅ Transparent development on GitHub
- ✅ Community-driven feature requests and bug fixes
- ✅ No hidden costs or proprietary lock-in
- ✅ If you modify and distribute the software, you must share your changes
I've made Askimo open source because I believe tools like this improve when more people contribute their ideas.
Want to Contribute?
Whether you're reporting bugs, suggesting features, writing documentation, or contributing code - all contributions are welcome!
Get in Touch
Ready to Try Askimo?
Join the community building the future of developer-friendly AI tools. Free, open source, and built for real use.