Show HN: Histiq – Local semantic search for the browser history and PDFs

Histiq, a new AI browser history search extension for Chrome and Edge, indexes web pages and PDFs locally to enable semantic search, with a 14-day free trial starting at $4.17 per month. The extension runs entirely on-device, with no cloud, account, or tracking, and claims sub-50ms search latency across thousands of pages. It indexes full page content and PDF text layers, offering privacy controls and AES-256 encrypted backups.

100% local · no cloud · no tracking · PDF search → how You've read thousands of pages. Now you can ask them. Histiq is an AI browser history search extension for Chrome and Edge — it indexes the web pages and PDFs you read and lets you find them by meaning, not keywords. 100% local on your device. No cloud, no account, no tracking. Browser history is broken — and it costs you every day. You already read it. You already spent the time. Histiq makes sure that work never gets lost. Browser history search, finally done right. Exact words, or just the meaning Remember the exact phrase? You get an instant match. Don't? Histiq searches by meaning instead — "article about startup fundraising from YC" finds it even when you can't recall the title, the URL, or the exact words on the page. Fully local & private Your history never leaves your device. Embeddings and search run entirely in-browser — verified in DevTools. Indexes the whole page Histiq silently indexes the full text of every page you visit — even collapsed FAQs, tabs, and "read more" sections most tools skip. No manual work, it just runs in the background. Lightning-fast results Search through thousands of pages in under 50ms. Local vector index, zero network round-trips. Chrome & Edge Works on both, from a single install. Your full reading history in one searchable place. PDF text-layer indexing Open any PDF in the browser — Histiq extracts and indexes its text layer automatically. Search research papers, contracts, and reports by meaning, not filename. Privacy controls you actually own Exclude domains, mask sensitive URLs, set retention windows. Everything stays on your device — auditable in DevTools anytime. vs. the alternatives. | Histiq | Chrome history | Rewind.ai | Browser bookmarks | | |---|---|---|---|---| | Search by meaning | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | | Sub-50ms search latency | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | | 100% local, no cloud | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | Indexes page content, not just titles | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | | Works across browsers | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | | Indexes PDF content | ✓ | ✕ | ✓ | ✕ | | Encrypted local backup / restore | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | | Records your screen 24/7 | — No | — No | Yes | — No | | Price | From $4.17/mo | Free | $19/mo | Free | How browser history search works in 3 steps. Install the extension One click from the Chrome Web Store — also installs in Edge. No account needed. Browse normally Histiq runs silently. Every page you visit is indexed locally on your device. Search and ask Click the Histiq icon, or hit Ctrl + Shift + H anytime to search by meaning. Your data never leaves your device. Not even for billing. - ✓ All embeddings and search run locally - ✓ History and PDF index stored in your browser's IndexedDB - ✓ No account, no login, no email required - ✓ Open to audit — extension code is inspectable - ✓ Export your full index as an AES-256 encrypted vault anytime - ✓ Payments via secure third-party processor — we never see your card "The only browser history tool I trust — because it technically— HN user, Show HN threadcan'tsend my data anywhere." Free for 14 days. Starts when you install. The trial runs inside the extension — no signup, no card needed. Use Histiq fully for 14 days, then pick a plan if you want to keep it. - ✓ Unlimited semantic search - ✓ Unlimited indexed pages - ✓ Sub-50ms search latency - ✓ Chrome & Edge - ✓ Custom domain & URL filters - ✓ PDF text-layer indexing - ✓ 100% local · no cloud Subscribe now https://buy.polar.sh/polar cl qeG7qJYexBGYhAgOHNcMbGyMgBz79zIs3m2gq09ebVX Or start free 14-day trial install - ✓ Everything in Monthly - ✓ Unlimited semantic search - ✓ Unlimited indexed pages - ✓ PDF text-layer indexing - ✓ Priority support - ✓ Save 40% vs monthly Subscribe now https://buy.polar.sh/polar cl 6Gpu7I2pwYDKgz6qHgO4R5H2IGJxW9fp8fEG32BwOOM Or start free 14-day trial install Most users save 40% with the annual plan. - ✓ Everything in Annual - ✓ PDF text-layer indexing - ✓ Lifetime updates included - ✓ No recurring billing — ever - ✓ Transferable across browsers - ✓ Priority support Get lifetime access https://buy.polar.sh/polar cl 3Olw1H03Kl2QijsqDsRYnji1xcVrh1B6WeUwS2zZPEn Or start free 14-day trial install Best value for power users. 30-day money-back guarantee. After trial: history is frozen, not deleted . Pay to unfreeze instantly. Data preserved for 30 days.