Orma

Orma is your browser's memory layer that transforms how you learn online. Instantly capture, understand, and chat with your browsing history using AI, making digital knowledge truly personal.

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The Story Behind Orma

Inspiration

As a passionate learner who spends hours browsing the web, I found myself constantly struggling with the same problem: I would discover amazing information, only to forget where I found it days later. Browser bookmarks became a graveyard of forgotten tabs, and note-taking apps felt disconnected from my browsing experience. I wanted something that could remember not just what I saved, but understand it, connect it, and help me learn better.

That's when I had the idea for Orma (meaning "Memory" in Malayalam) – a browser extension that would act as my digital memory, understanding and connecting everything I learn online.

What it does

Orma is a sophisticated memory layer for your browser that transforms how you capture and interact with online information. Using AI, it automatically processes and connects your browsing history, allowing you to:

  • Save anything with one click
  • Search using natural language
  • Chat with your browsing history
  • Generate smart summaries
  • Create project workspaces automatically
  • Enhance AI tools like ChatGPT with perfect context

How we built it

I built Orma using a carefully selected stack to ensure both performance and elegance:

  • Frontend: React 18 with TailwindCSS for a native-feeling interface
  • AI Processing: Google Nano AI for lightning-fast local processing
  • Memory Storage: IndexedDB via Dexie for reliable vector storage
  • Search: Vector search powered by OpenAI Embeddings
  • Extension: Chrome Extensions Manifest V3

The architecture focuses on offline-first capabilities while maintaining real-time responsiveness. Every interaction is designed to provide immediate feedback with smooth animations.

Challenges we ran into

  1. Vector Storage: Implementing efficient vector storage in IndexedDB was tricky. I had to carefully optimize the storage and retrieval mechanisms to maintain performance with growing data.

  2. Real-time Processing: Balancing immediate user feedback with AI processing was challenging. I solved this by implementing a queue system with visual feedback.

  3. Context Management: Ensuring that saved memories maintained their original context while being useful for AI interactions required several iterations of the embedding pipeline.

  4. Extension Performance: Keeping the extension lightweight while handling complex processing was tough. I leveraged Chrome's built-in AI capabilities to reduce the load.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Built a fully functional memory system that actually enhances learning
  • Achieved near-instant search across thousands of memories
  • Created a natural chat interface for browsing history
  • Implemented smooth, real-time updates with beautiful animations
  • Designed an intuitive interface that gets out of your way

What we learned

  • Deep insights into vector databases and embeddings
  • Techniques for efficient browser extension development
  • Strategies for combining local and cloud AI processing
  • The importance of user feedback in memory management systems
  • Methods for maintaining context in AI-powered applications

What's next for Orma

  1. Collaborative Memory Spaces: Enable teams to build shared knowledge bases
  2. Advanced Learning Analytics: Provide insights into learning patterns
  3. Cross-browser Support: Expand beyond Chrome
  4. Offline AI: Enhance local processing capabilities
  5. API Ecosystem: Allow developers to build on top of Orma

Orma is more than just a project – it's a step toward enhancing human memory with AI in a way that feels natural and empowering. We believe technology should enhance our natural abilities, not replace them, and Orma is our contribution to this vision.

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