User Guide

Welcome to Study Buddy! This guide will help you get the most out of your AI personal tutor.

Getting Started

First Launch

  1. Download and Install: Get Study Buddy from the releases page
  2. Initial Setup: Configure your AI provider and search preferences in Settings
  3. Choose Education Level: Set your default learning level (Elementary, Middle School, High School, Undergraduate, Graduate)

Basic Usage

Starting a Learning Session

  1. Enter a Topic: Type what you want to learn about in the main input field
  2. Select Education Level: Choose the appropriate difficulty level
  3. Start Learning: Click “Generate Tutor” to begin your personalized session

Interacting with Your Tutor

  • Ask Questions: Type follow-up questions about the topic
  • Request Examples: Ask for specific examples or explanations
  • Take Quizzes: Your tutor may quiz you to test understanding
  • Explore Related Topics: Branch into related subjects naturally

Features

🎓 Personalized Tutoring

  • Adaptive Learning: Content adjusts to your chosen education level
  • Interactive Sessions: Engage in conversations with your AI tutor
  • Quiz Integration: Test your knowledge with built-in assessments

🔍 Intelligent Research

  • Web Search Integration: Finds relevant information from multiple sources
  • Source Verification: Shows where information comes from
  • Real-time Updates: Access to current information

🛡️ Privacy-First Design

  • Local Processing: Your conversations stay on your device
  • No Analytics: No tracking or data collection
  • Offline Capable: Core functionality works without internet

⚙️ Flexible Configuration

  • Multiple AI Providers: OpenAI, Together AI, or custom endpoints
  • Search Engine Options: Bing, Google, DuckDuckGo, SearXNG, or Brave
  • Customizable Interface: Adjust settings to your preferences

Tips for Effective Learning

đź“ť Ask Better Questions

  • Be Specific: “Explain photosynthesis” vs “How do plants make food?”
  • Set Context: “I’m a high school student learning about…”
  • Request Examples: “Can you give me a real-world example?”

🎯 Structure Your Learning

  • Start Broad: Get an overview before diving into details
  • Ask for Breakdowns: “Can you break this into smaller parts?”
  • Connect Concepts: “How does this relate to what we just discussed?”

đź“Š Track Your Progress

  • Take Notes: Keep external notes of key concepts
  • Regular Reviews: Revisit topics to reinforce learning
  • Apply Knowledge: Look for ways to use what you’ve learned

Education Levels Explained

  • Elementary: Ages 6-11, basic concepts with simple language
  • Middle School: Ages 11-14, intermediate complexity
  • High School: Ages 14-18, advanced topics with detailed explanations
  • Undergraduate: College-level depth and complexity
  • Graduate: Advanced academic and research-level discussions

Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Enter: Send message
  • Shift + Enter: New line in message
  • Ctrl/Cmd + ,: Open Settings
  • Ctrl/Cmd + N: New conversation
  • Escape: Close modals or cancel actions

Best Practices

🚀 Getting the Most Value

  1. Set Clear Learning Goals: Know what you want to achieve
  2. Engage Actively: Don’t just read - ask questions and participate
  3. Practice Regularly: Consistent use leads to better outcomes
  4. Explore Freely: Don’t be afraid to ask about related topics

🔧 Troubleshooting Common Issues

  • Slow Responses: Check your internet connection and AI provider settings
  • Inaccurate Information: Always verify important facts from multiple sources
  • Technical Problems: Restart the application or check the Settings page

Privacy and Security

Study Buddy is designed with privacy as a core principle:

  • Local Storage: Your conversations are stored locally on your device
  • No Telemetry: We don’t collect usage data or analytics
  • Transparent Sources: All information sources are clearly cited
  • Open Source: The entire codebase is available for inspection

Getting Help

In-App Resources

  • Settings Page: Configure all aspects of the application
  • About Page: Learn about features and capabilities
  • Legal Page: Open source licenses and acknowledgments

Community Support

  • GitHub Issues: Report bugs or request features
  • Discussions: Ask questions and share experiences
  • Contributing: Help improve Study Buddy for everyone

Need more help? Check out our Troubleshooting Guide or visit our GitHub repository.