Ontos-AI · torinkwok · May 7, 2026 · May 6, 2026 · May 6, 2026 · May 6, 2026
diff --git a/CITATION.cff b/CITATION.cff
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+cff-version: 1.2.0
+title: "Knowhere: Prepare Unstructured Data for AI Agents"
+message: "If you use this software in your research, please cite it using the metadata from this file."
+type: software
+authors:
+  - name: "Ontos AI"
+    website: "https://knowhereto.ai"
+repository-code: "https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere"
+url: "https://knowhereto.ai"
+license: Apache-2.0
+version: "2026.04.30.1"
+date-released: "2026-04-30"
+keywords:
+  - RAG
+  - agentic RAG
+  - document parsing
+  - unstructured data
+  - AI agents
+  - knowledge graph
diff --git a/CONTRIBUTING.md b/CONTRIBUTING.md
@@ -1,6 +1,16 @@
 # Contributing
 
-Thanks for contributing to Knowhere API.
+Thanks for contributing to Knowhere. The project is split across several repositories — make sure you're working in the right one.
+
+## Ecosystem
+
+| Repository | Description |
+|---|---|
+| [knowhere](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere) | **This repo.** Backend API and worker — document ingestion, parsing, graph construction, and retrieval. |
+| 🖥️ [knowhere-dashboard](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-dashboard) | The web UI. Connects to the API for the full product experience. |
+| 🐳 [knowhere-self-hosted](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-self-hosted) | Docker Compose stack for self-hosted deployments. Packages the API, worker, and dashboard together. |
+| 🐍 [knowhere-python-sdk](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-python-sdk) | Official Python SDK for the Knowhere Cloud API. |
+| 🦕 [knowhere-node-sdk](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-node-sdk) | Official Node.js SDK for the Knowhere Cloud API. |
 
 ## Before You Start
 

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
@@ -1,45 +1,126 @@
-# Knowhere API
+<img width="1000" height="233" alt="20260506-102713" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/896e64d2-e50e-4158-b71c-bc69e11c7c65" />
+
+<h1 align="center">Prepare unstructured data for AI Agents</h1>
+
+<p align="center">
+  <a href="https://www.python.org/downloads/">
+    <img alt="Python Version" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Python-%3E%3D%203.11-3776AB.svg?style=for-the-badge&logo=python&logoColor=white&labelColor=000000">
+  </a>
+  <a href="https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/stargazers">
+    <img alt="GitHub stars" src="https://img.shields.io/github/stars/ontos-ai/knowhere?style=for-the-badge&logo=github&labelColor=000000">
+  </a>
+  <a href="https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/actions">
+    <img alt="Build Status" src="https://img.shields.io/github/actions/workflow/status/Ontos-AI/knowhere/pr-ci.yml?style=for-the-badge&labelColor=000000">
+  </a>
+  <br>
+  <a href="https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/discussions">
+    <img alt="Join the community on GitHub" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/Join%20the%20community-blueviolet.svg?style=for-the-badge&logo=GitHub&labelColor=000000&logoWidth=20">
+  </a>
+  <a href="https://ghcr.io/ontos-ai/knowhere">
+    <img alt="Container Images" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/CONTAINER%20IMAGES-2496ED.svg?style=for-the-badge&logo=docker&logoColor=white&labelColor=000000">
+  </a>
+  <a href="https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/blob/main/LICENSE">
+    <img alt="License: Apache 2.0" src="https://img.shields.io/badge/APACHE%202.0-D97706.svg?style=for-the-badge&label=LICENSE&labelColor=000000">
+  </a>
+</p>
+
+<p align="center">
+  🔗 <a href="https://knowhereto.ai">Website</a> |
+  📄 <a href="https://docs.knowhereto.ai/">Docs</a> |
+  🏠 <a href="https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-self-hosted">Self-Host</a> |
+  🖥️ <a href="https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-dashboard">Dashboard</a>
+</p>
+
+Knowhere is the open-source infrastructure for unstructured data processing. It automates the complex pipeline of extracting, parsing, and transforming messy documents into structured, high-quality data optimized for *AI Agents*, *Agentic RAG*, and *traditional vector-based RAG workflows*.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> **Get started in seconds with Knowhere Cloud.**
+> Avoid the complexity of self-deployment. Use our managed API at [knowhereto.ai](https://knowhereto.ai) and enjoy **$5 in free credits** upon registration.
+
+## 📢 News
+
+- **May 7, 2026**: 🚀 **Knowhere is now Open Source!** We have open-sourced our entire stack for document ingestion, parsing, and agentic RAG. You can now self-host the full platform using [knowhere-self-hosted](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-self-hosted). Check out our [Contribution Guide](CONTRIBUTING.md) to get involved!
+- **Apr 30, 2026**: 📦 **Version [2026.04.30.1](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/releases/tag/2026.04.30.1) has been released.** This update includes several stability improvements and initial support for the agentic RAG layer. See the [full changelog](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/commits/2026.04.30.1) for details.
+
+## How it Works
+
+> [!TIP]
+> **TL;DR**: Knowhere parses documents into structured units, maps them in a graph, and lets agents navigate that context to find and cite reliable evidence.
+
+Knowhere turns raw documents into a structured memory store that AI agents can navigate and cite. The process follows a three-stage pipeline:
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart LR
+    A[📄 Document Parsing] --> B[🕸️ Graph Construction]
+    B --> C[🤖 Agentic Retrieval]
+    B --> D[🔍 Vector-based RAG]
+    C --> E[✅ Cited Results]
+    D --> E
+```
 
-Knowhere API is the backend repository for document ingestion, parsing,
-retrieval, and MCP-oriented knowledge access.
+### 1. Document Parsing
+Knowhere routes files to specialized parsers for PDFs, Office docs, images, and more. We don't just extract text; we preserve the document's hierarchy:
+- **Hierarchical Paths**: Every chunk knows its exact location (e.g., `Section 2.1 > Table 4`).
+- **Multi-modal Units**: Tables and images are treated as distinct assets with their own metadata.
+- **Structural Awareness**: Heading levels and section boundaries are maintained to keep context intact.
+
+### 2. Memory Graph
+Parsed content is organized into a lightweight graph. It’s designed as a practical map for agents, not a complex ontology.
+- **Nodes**: Represent documents, sections, and chunks.
+- **Edges**: Map semantic relationships (keyword overlap, summaries) and structural links.
+This graph helps agents quickly understand what a document is about and which neighboring files might be relevant.
+
+### 3a. Agentic Retrieval
+An agent navigates the memory graph to find evidence rather than relying on a single vector lookup:
+- **Hybrid Discovery**: Fuses keyword and semantic search (RRF) for broad first-pass coverage.
+- **Agent Navigation**: The agent "walks" the graph, reviewing section previews to drill down into the most relevant paths.
+- **Cited Evidence**: Results are returned as traceable evidence — source document, section, chunk, and any linked image or table assets.
+
+### 3b. Vector-based RAG
+For teams that prefer a pure retrieval pipeline without agent overhead, Knowhere's parsed chunks plug directly into standard vector stacks:
+- **Dense Search**: Chunk embeddings stored in Qdrant, pgvector, or Milvus for fast ANN lookup.
+- **Sparse Search**: BM25 term index for keyword-sensitive queries.
+- **Multi-channel Fusion**: Dense and sparse results are fused with RRF before being returned, giving you the best of both signals.
+
+## Ecosystem
+
+| Repository | Description |
+|---|---|
+| [knowhere](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere) | **This repo.** Backend API and worker — document ingestion, parsing, graph construction, and retrieval. |
+| 🖥️ [knowhere-dashboard](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-dashboard) | The web UI. Connects to the API for the full product experience. |
+| 🐳 [knowhere-self-hosted](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-self-hosted) | Docker Compose stack for self-hosted deployments. Packages the API, worker, and dashboard together. |
+| 🐍 [knowhere-python-sdk](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-python-sdk) | Official Python SDK for the Knowhere Cloud API. |
+| 🦕 [knowhere-node-sdk](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-node-sdk) | Official Node.js SDK for the Knowhere Cloud API. |
 
 ## Features
 
-## Project Governance
-
-- Licensed under Apache 2.0. See [LICENSE](LICENSE) and [NOTICE](NOTICE).
-- Contribution workflow and branch expectations live in
-  [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
-- Security reporting guidance lives in [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md).
-- Community behavior expectations live in
-  [CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md).
-
-## Repository Layout
-
-```text
-knowhere-api/
-├── apps/
-│   ├── api/
-│   └── worker/
-├── packages/
-│   └── shared-python/
-├── deploy/
-│   ├── docker/
-│   └── local-dev/
-└── .github/workflows/
-    └── build-images.yml
-```
+- **Multi-modal Parsing**: High-fidelity extraction from PDF, Office, and images, preserving headings, tables, and hierarchical paths.
+- **Lightweight Memory Graph**: Context-aware organization that links documents and chunks for better relationship understanding.
+- **Agentic RAG**: A hybrid retrieval engine combining traditional search (RRF) with autonomous agent navigation.
+- **Evidence-based Citations**: Every result is backed by traceable source paths, ensuring reliability for AI Agent decision-making.
+
+## Supported Formats
+
+**✅ Supported**
+
+- [x] `.pdf` `.docx` `.pptx` `.xlsx` `.csv`
+- [x] `.jpg` `.png`
+- [x] `.md` `.txt` `.json`
+
+**⏳ Coming Soon**
+
+- [ ] `.epub` `.html` `.xml`
+- [ ] `.mp4` `.mp3`
+- [ ] `.skills.md`
 
-## Architecture Overview
+Want to see a new format supported? Adding a parser is a great first contribution. Check out [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) to get started.
 
 ## Prerequisites
 
 - Python 3.11+
 - `uv`
 - Docker with `docker compose`
 
-## Configuration
-
 ## Quick Start
 
 1. Sync the workspace dependencies:
@@ -88,6 +169,8 @@ uv run scripts/init_user.py --email you@example.com
 If you plan to use the dashboard, register through the dashboard instead of
 using `scripts/init_user.py`.
 
+The API is now running at `http://localhost:5005`. If you want the full product experience with a UI, run the [knowhere-dashboard](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere-dashboard) alongside it — it connects to this API out of the box.
+
 ## Quality Checks
 
 Run lint checks from the repository root:
@@ -122,9 +205,50 @@ make check
 - PostgreSQL: `localhost:5432`
 - Redis: `localhost:6379`
 
-## Quick Example Request
-
 ## Additional Guides
 
 - External dependency guide:
   [docs/external-services.md](docs/external-services.md)
+
+## Citation
+
+If you use Knowhere in your research, please cite it as:
+
+```bibtex
+@software{knowhere2026,
+  author       = {Ontos AI},
+  title        = {Knowhere: Prepare Unstructured Data for AI Agents},
+  year         = {2026},
+  publisher    = {GitHub},
+  url          = {https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere},
+  version      = {2026.04.30.1},
+  license      = {Apache-2.0}
+}
+```
+
+## Communication
+
+- [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/discussions) for questions, ideas, and general conversation.
+- [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/issues) for bug reports and feature requests.
+
+## Contribution
+
+Any contributions to Knowhere are more than welcome!
+
+If you are new to the project, check out the [good first issues](https://github.com/Ontos-AI/knowhere/issues?q=is%3Aissue+is%3Aopen+label%3A%22good+first+issue%22). They are well-defined, relatively simple, and a great way to get familiar with the codebase and the contribution workflow.
+
+For general guidelines on branching, commit conventions, and the review process, take a look at [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md).
+
+Other useful references:
+
+- [SECURITY.md](SECURITY.md) — how to report vulnerabilities responsibly.
+- [CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md](CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md) — community behavior expectations.
+- [LICENSE](LICENSE) and [NOTICE](NOTICE) — Apache 2.0.
+
+## 👋 We're Hiring!
+
+We're building the knowledge layer for the Agent era. If that sounds like work you want to do, reach out — decode the address below and drop us a line:
+
+```bash
+echo 'dGVhbUBrbm93aGVyZXRvLmFp' | base64 --decode
+```