Hosts And Deployment
CiteTraverse runs the same shared workspace in multiple hosts. The host changes how files, dialogs, URLs, PDFs, and recent projects are handled, but the review model stays consistent.
Desktop, browser, and VS Code hosts provide different runtime adapters around the same workspace app and project contract.
Desktop
Use the desktop app for durable local projects, direct folder access, local PDF opening, native file dialogs, project reveal actions, and recent-project shortcuts.
Desktop is the best fit for serious reviews, long-lived project folders, and workflows where BibTeX files or PDFs should stay inspectable outside CiteTraverse.
Browser
Use the browser app for zero-install demos, small seed-set exploration, and easy sharing. Browser projects live in IndexedDB under virtual project paths and can be exported as zip archives.
Browser projects depend on browser site data. Export before clearing browser storage or moving to another machine.
VS Code
The VS Code extension detects workspace folders containing .citetraverse/citetraverse.json and opens the shared workspace app in a webview. Filesystem, dialog, and path-opening operations are bridged through the extension host.
Use this host when the review belongs beside source material, analysis scripts, or a repository.
Provider And Assistant Configuration
Citation providers are workspace settings and affect expansion jobs. Assistant remote chat requires an OpenAI-compatible provider, model, endpoint, and a local API key. API keys are not written to project files.