Hi everyone! Aru-Lab here with a presentation of new features and changes in Aru Ai.
There is so much new stuff in the project that a simple changelog on my blog just wouldn't cut it.
If you are not familiar with Aru Ai yet, here is a link to the original post - Link.
In short:
Aru Ai is a personal AI assistant where you can connect models in any way you prefer. Even those running via Ollama within your local network. No installation or downloads required - the browser tab runs entirely on your device, and there is a PWA version for maximum convenience.
Aru possesses memory thanks to a small semantic model that runs directly on your device. It remembers important facts about you and your activities, then uses them in context through a system of triggers.
Aru can work with artifacts, creating mini-games and apps that run right in your browser, extending Aru's capabilities, helping with work, or simply providing entertainment.
Aru features a heuristic module that allows her to feel alive, with her own mood and emotions.
Three age modes can be useful for both children and adults - for studies, work, and fun.
All of this works without installation or complex setup. Absolutely all data and conversations are stored only on your device as a SQLite database that you can take anywhere with you.
Interface:
The startup window and initial setup haven't changed much. However, I added information and forum buttons so they are accessible before you even enter the project.
A key visual update after startup - if you are running Aru for the first time, you will now see the process of downloading the semantic model to your device. Previously, this was only visible in the browser logs. As a reminder - the model is downloaded to your device only once; in all subsequent launches, the base is loaded from the cache.
As you can see, the main chat has undergone massive changes:
Sidebar- the information and forum buttons have been moved to a special menu in the interface header. The button to open the Wiki has disappeared entirely, as has the page itself. All necessary information is now summarized on the information page. The forum as a new addition - more on that near the end of the article. Chat search - there is now a search bar at the very top of the sidebar, allowing you to sort and find chats by name.
Main Interface - the design has become cleaner and simpler. It is now a single canvas creating a seamless space for work and conversation.
Text prompts - the text now correctly indicates what is happening on the screen.
Input field - all tool buttons have been moved into a single menu, freeing up more space for text, especially on smaller screens.
Header - it has become cleaner; now the language toggles, settings, info, database logout, forum, and theme switcher are all located in a single dropdown menu.
The first major innovation is tabs.
Now you can open multiple tabs with different chats on a single screen. Each chat represents a separate context and an independent canvas. You can work with text in one chat, run a focus app in another, and perform analytics in a third.
You don't have to wait for Aru's response in each tab - you can submit a large prompt or a document creation task and switch to another tab.
In the mobile version, tabs are implemented via a dedicated "Tabs" button. Everything works just like on the big screen, but for convenience, the tabs are presented as cards, similar to a mobile browser.
The second major addition is Ephemeral Mode.
This is a separate tab, marked with a shield icon and highlighted with a blue outline when inactive.
In a private chat, Aru does not remember anything about the user - the memory trigger functions are simply skipped while using this mode.
Such a chat is not saved in the database; after the tab is closed, the entire conversation literally disappears forever.
Mood and age modes still function, and existing facts already in the memory can still be utilized.
You can open as many private chat tabs as you want; close the app or refresh the page, and they will all disappear
The third major update is the plugins system.
Architecturally, all conditions are now in place to extend Aru's capabilities using plugins. Currently, one plugin is ready - the Task Manager.
It opens in a separate tab and has a purple border when inactive. As you can see, there is no message input window in the plugin.
This is a very simple but proven way to manage your affairs. Create any number of projects and set up Kanban boards exactly how you like. Create tasks, set deadlines, and move task cards between columns.
But why is there no message input bar?
Aru can manage your tasks from any chat. Just ask about your current tasks, discuss their content, or ask her to move a task to any column. In a private chat, Aru cannot move tasks or create new ones; she can only read existing tasks.
You can open multiple task manager tabs to work on different projects. If you get confused - Aru will tell you which tasks belong to which projects and what their statuses are. By the way, the sidebar with the project list can be hidden for convenience. You can, of course, edit tasks manually - just click on any task to open its full card and change any fields.
The settings have undergone numerous improvements and additions.
The settings interface has been refined. It now mirrors the main project interface and no longer feels out of place in the design.
Configuring a provider to connect a language model is now very intuitive and clear, as only the fields relevant to the selected provider are displayed.
Memory - you can now not only delete facts about yourself but also edit them.
Network Settings - the most significant update in this version. You can now configure a proxy within the project to bypass blocks or CORS. There is also a local network priority mode.
Local Network Connection - an incredibly important innovation. Aru can connect to models not just via Localhost; with browser permission, she can see your local network. Now you don't have to run powerful models on the same device where Aru is running. If you have a powerful PC or server, you can run Ollama on that device while you sit comfortably in a chair with your tablet or laptop.
Grounding
There is now an option to choose a search engine in the network settings. Two variants are available:
Tavily - a very powerful API for searching data on the internet. Many AI services operate using this project. A free tier is available for all users, providing 1000 search queries per month.
SearXNG - an open-source project. While there are ready-made solutions online, almost all of them prohibit indirect access. The best option would be to deploy your own version within your local network.
Search works in any tab. Search data is neatly integrated into the dialogue context. Bypassing age restrictions will not work. In children's mode, it is impossible to find answers to homework via search or discuss topics prohibited for children.
If none of the search methods are specified in the settings, the corresponding icon simply will not appear in the interface.
To launch a search, you need to click on the magnifying glass icon in the tools; Aru will search for information on the web as long as the search mode is active.
Aru Ai Forum
I can see that the number of users interested in the project is growing. This makes me very happy.
In my opinion, the logical step was to create a forum where users can share their experiences using Aru.
There are many sections, all organized by topic. Anyone can create threads - no registration is required. There is a voting system similar to Reddit.
The absence of registration does not turn the project into a spam platform and does not give the right to break the rules.
The rules are simple, but they must be followed so that every user feels safe and comfortable.
One of the main ideas behind the forum is the ability to exchange artifacts. Widgets, mini-apps, and utilities that run inside Aru on the canvas.
To support this, I added an artifact import feature to the main project - just take the ready-made HTML of a game or app and add it to your library to use whenever you want.
Minor changes you should know about:
Improved Heuristic Module - Aru has become better at expressing emotions, and there are more restricted topics in children's mode.
Improved Semantic Module - Added functions to help Aru remember facts about the user more accurately; specific algorithms now strictly limit memory functions in private tabs.
Translations - Improved translations across all three supported languages.
Bug Fixes - Issues leading to save errors after sorting chats or when creating an empty database have been fixed.
Interface - Unified styles and formatting for icons, text, and hint blocks.
That is all from me for now. Most of what I implemented in this version was on my roadmap. This doesn't mean I wrote everything from scratch; the foundations for almost everything were in the previous version, but I have now stabilized the project to a certain level.
Remember - Aru is not about paranoia or total isolation from the outside world. Aru is about control, security, and trust. You choose which providers and models to use, how to organize search, and how to configure your network. Aru will strive to follow its programmed instructions under any conditions.
Aru is the only thing I am working on right now. I spend 12-15 hours a day developing it almost continuously. I truly hope the project will be useful to its users.
If you would like to support the project and speed up its development, you can do so via the following links:
Ko-Fi - Payment cards
Cryptocloud - Cryptocurrencies
PayPal - Cards and PayPal balance
I am very grateful to everyone who uses the project, supports it financially, or shares information about it on other sites.
Thank you all! There is much more to come!
Top comments (1)
Using Aru AI will always be free and completely unrestricted. You can find the project here: Aru Ai.