TagRefBrowser extension
Alt + click an image and it’s in TagRef. Save every image on a page, page screenshots and bookmarks.
Free · Windows and macOS
All your references,
in one place
TagRef keeps your images, videos, music and fonts and finds what you need instantly: by color, by tags or just by describing it in words. The AI runs right on your computer.
FreeNo subscriptions, ads or sign-up
Your files stay yoursA library is a regular folder on your disk
Offline AISmart search works without internet
4 languagesEnglish, Russian, Spanish and Chinese
Smart search
Find an image just by describing it
Type “sunset over the ocean” or “neon portrait” and TagRef shows matching images, even with no tags or meaningful names. The AI understands English, Russian and about 50 more languages. It runs on your computer: your images never leave it.
- Search by description in plain words
- “Find similar” for any image
- Search by your own image: drop it on the search bar
Search by color
Need orange? One click
TagRef breaks every image down into a palette. Pick a color and the grid keeps only images that contain it. Adjust the precision with a slider or set any custom color.
- Every image’s palette in the properties panel
- Custom color and precision
- Combines with tags, folders and rating
Similar images
Found a great reference? Find more like it
“Find similar” shows images close in meaning and mood, not in file name. The “Pinterest search” add-on finds similar images right on Pinterest and saves the ones you like to your library in full size.
- Similar in meaning, not in name
- Find similar on Pinterest
- Chain it: from one image to a whole collection
Collecting references
Save from anywhere in one click
Images from websites, screenshots, files from your phone — everything lands in your library right away, in the right folder.
Screen capture
Ctrl + Alt + A in any app — the area snapshot goes straight to the open folder.
From your phone
“Share” → the TagRef bot in Telegram, and the image appears on your computer.
Inbox folder
Drop files into a cloud folder from any device — TagRef picks them up by itself.
Videos from websites
Paste a link to a YouTube or other video — it’s saved with a player.
Drag & drop and Ctrl+V
Files, folders with subfolders, clipboard. And back — from TagRef straight into Photoshop.
Effortless order
Smart folders that fill themselves
Sort files into folders with colors and icons, add tags, ratings and notes. Smart folders collect files by rules — tags, color, shape, rating, date — and stay up to date on their own. Duplicates are found in one click, even the same image in another size.
- Folders, tags, ratings and notes
- Smart folders with any rules
- Exact copies and look-alike duplicates
Comfortable browsing
The grid, your way
Waterfall, rows, even grid or list. Thumbnail size with one slider. Open an image full screen, zoom with the mouse wheel, rotate and crop.
- Four layouts and 9 sort orders
- Zoom, rotate, crop, flip
- Light and dark theme
Not just images
Videos, music and fonts next to your images
Scrub videos by hovering right in the grid, step frame by frame, loop. Music shows its waveform and tempo (BPM). The “Speech to text” add-on turns speech in videos into text you can search.
- Hover scrubbing and frame-by-frame
- Waveform and tempo (BPM) for music
- PSD, AI, EPS, CDR, PDF and Word right in the app
Opens
JPGPNGGIFWebPAVIFSVGPSDAIEPSCDRPDFDOCXMP4MOVWebMMKVMP3WAVFLACTTFOTF
And much more
One library on two computers
Via Syncthing or a cloud drive: changes from another computer appear instantly.
Eagle compatible
Opens Eagle libraries and packs with all folders and tags, and can save in their format.
Connect your AI (MCP)
Your AI assistant finds things, adds tags and sorts files into folders for you.
Duplicate finder
Exact copies and the same image in another size. Tags and folders move to the file you keep.
Multiple libraries
For work, for hobbies, per project — switch in one click.
Keyboard shortcuts
See every shortcut and change it to suit you.
Runs in the background
Hides in the tray: screen capture and browser saving always work.
Updates itself
TagRef tells you about a new version and installs it in a couple of clicks.
See it in action
Download TagRef
Free, no sign-up. No administrator rights needed.
Checking the latest version… · All versions and release notes
How to install
- Download the installer and run it.
- If a blue “Windows protected your PC” window appears, click “More info”, then “Run anyway”. That’s how Windows greets apps without a paid digital signature.
- Accept the license agreement — TagRef installs and adds shortcuts to the desktop and the Start menu.
- On first launch, create a library and drag your first files into the window.
- Download the .dmg file, open it and drag TagRef into Applications.
- If macOS says it can’t verify the developer on first launch, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and click “Open Anyway”.
- Create a library and drag your first files into the window.
Browser extension
The extension ships inside TagRef. Click “Browser extension” at the bottom left for step-by-step instructions for Chrome, Edge and other Chromium browsers.
Guides
Detailed PDF guides, step by step with screenshots. They also open from the app: “Settings → Guides”.
FAQ
Is it really free?
Yes. Every feature, including the AI, is free. No ads, no sign-up, no trial period.
Where are my files stored?
In a library — a regular folder on your disk. TagRef copies files there and stores tags, folders and notes next to them in an open format. Nothing is sent to the internet: you can copy the library, keep it on an external drive or in the cloud.
Do I need the internet?
Only to download the app, add-ons and updates, and to save from websites or search Pinterest. Search, filters and the AI work offline.
I use Eagle. Can I move my library?
Yes. In the library menu choose “Import an Eagle library” — files come over with folders, tags and notes. Your Eagle library itself stays unchanged.
Why do Windows and macOS warn me during installation?
The installer doesn’t have a paid digital signature yet, so the system shows its warning for unfamiliar apps. See “How to install” for how to get past it. Supporting the project helps pay for a signature.
Does TagRef collect data about me?
No. Only with your permission, once a day the app anonymously reports only a random installation number, the TagRef version, the system and the language — to know how many people use it. No files, names or IP addresses. Turn it off in “Settings → About → Anonymous statistics”.
How do I update?
TagRef checks for updates itself and offers to install the new version. Your libraries and settings are left untouched.
What computer do I need?
Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit) or macOS. A regular laptop is enough for smart search; its add-ons are optional and take about 230 MB.
Support TagRef
TagRef is free and will stay free. If it helps you in your work, you can support its development: new features and a digital signature for the installer.
Tribute
Any card from any country, via Telegram. The easiest option outside Russia.
Soon
Boosty
Russian bank cards. A one-time donation of any amount.
Soon
CloudTips
Russian bank cards or SBP. A one-time tip of any amount.
Soon
Support is a voluntary gift to the author. TagRef works fully without it.
Feedback
Found a bug, have an idea, or just want to say thanks? Write to me — I read every message.