NeuralScio is a native desktop research application in Public Alpha. During Public Alpha, the desktop app is free. Start with the desktop build to work with saved papers, your own PDFs, local library workflows, and local AI where configured.
Public Alpha
- NeuralScio is currently free while we test and stabilize the product.
- Paid subscriptions and credit checkout are not active during Public Alpha.
- Managed cloud AI, account credits, and team billing are planned after Public Beta, when billing launches.
Installation
Windows
1. Download NeuralScio-<version>-win64.zip 2. Extract it to any folder 3. Run NeuralScio.exe
Requirements:
- Minimum: Windows 10 version 1809 (build 17763) or later, 64-bit
- Recommended: Windows 10 22H2 (build 19045) or later, or Windows 11
- Older Windows 10 builds, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 7 are unsupported and not tested
- Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable 2022 (download)
Linux
1. Download NeuralScio-<version>.AppImage 2. Make it executable: chmod +x NeuralScio-*.AppImage 3. Run it: ./NeuralScio-*.AppImage
Requirements:
- x86_64 architecture
- GLIBC >= 2.31
libfuse2
macOS
NeuralScio does not currently publish a verified macOS Public Alpha artifact. A source build path may exist, but it is not a parity-tested download route. Do not treat the macOS build path as equivalent to the Windows or Linux Public Alpha packages.
First Run
The first useful path during Public Alpha is simple:
1. Open your own PDFs or saved papers. 2. Use the saved library and local reading workflow. 3. Work with cached content where available. 4. Use local AI where configured. 5. Optionally connect your own API keys if supported in your build. 6. Move into writing if the session becomes synthesis work.
External provider search requires network access. Managed cloud AI is not active during Public Alpha; use a local model or BYOK where supported.
The first buttons to learn
If the interface feels large on day one, learn these buttons first:
| Button | What happens after you click it | | --- | --- | | Search | Opens the query workflow for finding new papers | | Saved / Library | Returns to papers and PDFs you already kept | | AI Assistant | Opens the cited Q&A dock for the current paper | | Writer | Opens the writing tab for notes, drafts, and LaTeX text | | Settings | Opens the configuration panels for providers, AI, theme, and cache |
For the full UI map, read Interface Tour.
Core Workflow
Search and triage
- Search across scholarly sources when network access and provider availability allow
- Filter and compare results without juggling multiple browser tabs
- Save important papers into the saved library
Note: Cached and saved work remains the strongest offline path. External provider search still depends on network access and provider availability.
Read and inspect
- Open PDFs in the built-in reader
- Search inside open PDFs
- Add highlights, notes, and other annotations
- Keep saved material available through local caching
Add AI and writing when needed
- Use local AI or BYOK depending on your setup
- Keep answers tied to the current research context instead of a detached chat tab
- Move into Neural Writer for LaTeX drafting and bibliography-backed citations
Accounts And Cloud Features
During Public Alpha, sign-in is optional for core desktop use.
Use sign-in when you need account-linked features such as:
- future managed cloud AI (not active during Public Alpha)
- sync surfaces when enabled
- future billing and credits
- future team administration
Advanced Technical Mode
NeuralScio also supports non-UI workflows for technical users.
--mcp-stdiostarts the headless MCP stdio path--headless --mcp-enabledstarts headless mode with network MCP- MCP can be used by local tooling, scripts, or external AI agents
See MCP & Headless for the full setup.
Next Steps
1. Read MCP & Headless if you want agent or automation workflows. 2. Read AI Features if model choice and local-vs-cloud matters most. 3. Read Pricing for Public Alpha access and future cloud/billing plans.