FindFlow

A Windows-first production workflow manager for documentary, film, animation, and post-production teams.

寻序 · Shot tracking · Review management · Visual reference boards · Shared-folder collaboration

Overview

FindFlow brings project planning, shot tracking, version records, review feedback, visual references, and delivery workflows into one focused desktop workspace. It is designed for small and medium production teams that collaborate on a trusted local network and want shared data without maintaining a continuously running application server.

The Windows client runs a local-only web interface and reads or writes a shared .findflow workspace stored on a NAS, file server, or shared drive. The server utility initializes and migrates that workspace; it does not need to remain running after setup.

Highlights

• Configurable full-production and post-production project templates
• Custom stages and production types, including AI image and AI video workflows
• Shot ownership, scheduling, priority, status, and version tracking
• Review feedback with reviewer metadata and project-level permissions
• Freeform storyboard and reference boards for images, video, GIFs, links, and text
• Project PDF preview, notices, important prompts, and local folder shortcuts
• User groups, project administrators, avatars, company, and department profiles
• Chinese and English interface switching
• Automatic 30-minute snapshots, manual restore points, recycle bin, data import, and export
• Shared-folder concurrency control with revision tracking and three-way merge
• Windows installer, server setup utility, client application, and guarded uninstaller

Architecture

flowchart LR
    S["FindFlow Server\nsetup and migration"] --> D["Shared folder\n.findflow workspace"]
    C1["FindFlow Client A"] <--> D
    C2["FindFlow Client B"] <--> D
    C3["FindFlow Client C"] <--> D
    C1 --> L1["Local browser window\n127.0.0.1 only"]
    C2 --> L2["Local browser window\n127.0.0.1 only"]

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The shared workspace contains project data, board assets, PDFs, and version snapshots. File locking and revision-aware merging reduce accidental overwrites when multiple clients save concurrently. See Architecture for implementation details.

Requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Python 3.12 for source builds
• A continuously available shared folder for multi-user operation
• Read/write permission for every participating client

For multi-user teams, place the data directory on a NAS or always-on file server. If it is hosted by a normal workstation, other clients cannot connect while that workstation is powered off.

Run From Source

python findflow_server.py
python findflow_client.py

On first use, open the server utility, choose a data directory, and register the first system administrator. Then open the client and select the same directory.

Build Windows V1.0.1

python -m pip install -r requirements-build.txt
python build_release.py

The build script creates multi-resolution icons, packages the server, client, and uninstaller with PyInstaller, and produces FindFlow V1.0.1 Setup.exe in the sibling FindFlow-Releases/V1.0.1 directory.

Tests

python -m unittest -v test_desktop.py
node --check web/app.js
node --check web/i18n.js

Security Scope

FindFlow V1.0 is intended for a trusted Windows LAN. It is not an internet-facing service and should not be exposed through port forwarding, public shares, or untrusted networks. Access to the shared directory grants practical access to the workspace files, so network share permissions remain part of the security model. Read SECURITY.md before deployment.

Contributing

Issues and pull requests are welcome. Please read CONTRIBUTING.md before proposing a change.

License

FindFlow is released under the MIT License.

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中文说明

FindFlow（寻序）是一套面向纪录片、影视、动画与后期制作团队的 Windows 流程管理系统，覆盖项目模板、镜头跟踪、版本提交、审核反馈、分镜与参考资料画板、PDF 方案、用户组及项目权限等工作。

客户端直接读写 NAS、文件服务器或局域网共享盘中的 .findflow 数据库目录；Server 工具只负责初始化、管理员注册和数据库迁移，设置完成后无需持续运行。多人使用时，共享目录本身必须保持在线，并建议部署在 NAS 或持续运行的文件服务器上。