> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.modusbrain.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How ModusBrain Works

> A simple view of how ModusBrain turns source material into useful, traceable context for people and AI agents.

ModusBrain is a knowledge layer for AI work. It helps you move from raw files and conversations to context that people and agents can actually use.

The goal is simple: keep the important information easy to find, easy to understand, and connected to the source that supports it.

## At a glance

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="1. Add knowledge" icon="folder-input">
    Bring in documents, notes, repositories, meetings, and connected sources.
  </Card>

  <Card title="2. Build context" icon="network">
    Index content, extract useful links and facts, and keep related pages connected.
  </Card>

  <Card title="3. Help agents act" icon="bot">
    Let compatible agents search the brain and follow the guidance you approve.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## The knowledge loop

<Steps>
  <Step title="Collect source material">
    Start with the information your team already uses: Markdown files, repository documentation, meeting notes, and imported records. A brain can contain more than one source, so different workspaces can stay separate while still being searchable when appropriate.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Make it searchable and connected">
    ModusBrain stores pages, chunks content for search, and can extract links, entities, timelines, and facts. This gives a question more than keyword matches: it gives it the surrounding context.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Retrieve the right context">
    When a person or agent asks a question, ModusBrain combines keyword, vector, and graph-aware retrieval. Results stay scoped to the correct brain and source.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use approved operational guidance">
    For repeatable or sensitive work, compile an operational skill from the knowledge in the brain. Skills can be reviewed, approved, confidence-gated, and audited.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Keep the brain current">
    Sync new source changes, enrich pages, and run maintenance when needed. The result is a brain that improves as your knowledge changes.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Choose your path

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use it locally" icon="laptop" href="/quickstart">
    Set up a local PGLite brain with the CLI.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Connect an agent" icon="plug" href="/docs/mcp/DEPLOY">
    Serve your brain through MCP for coding agents and other clients.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Run it for a team" icon="users" href="/for-companies">
    Use Postgres, scoped sources, and access controls for shared company knowledge.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Explore the architecture" icon="network" href="/docs/architecture/topologies">
    Learn about brains, sources, storage engines, and deployment shapes.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>