FindFlow

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

寻序 · Shot tracking · Review management · Visual boards · LAN collaboration

Overview

FindFlow brings project planning, shot tracking, version submissions, review feedback, visual references, and team permissions into one focused desktop workspace. It is designed for production teams that want a self-hosted workflow on a trusted Windows LAN.

Version 2.1.1 uses a central service architecture: one FindFlow Server process owns the database, while FindFlow Client applications communicate with it over the local network. This avoids multiple computers writing the same workspace file directly.

Highlights

• Configurable full-production and post-production templates
• Shot ownership, scheduling, status, priority, progress, and version tracking
• Review feedback with reviewer roles and project-level permissions
• List, assignee, and status views for shot management
• Project and shot boards for images, video, GIFs, links, and text
• 3D video gallery with cover images, playback, zoom, rotation, and hover effects
• Project PDF preview, notices, important prompts, and folder shortcuts
• User groups, project administrators, avatars, company, and department profiles
• Version notifications with per-message read state and direct shot navigation
• Resource center, wish wall, personal notes, and Chinese/English interface
• Scheduled snapshots, restore points, recycle bin, and project ZIP import/export
• Windows installer with Client-only and Server-plus-Client installation modes

Download

The signed-in Windows release package is available from FindFlow v2.1.1 Releases.

The installer contains no demonstration users, projects, or database. On a server computer, choose Server + Client, configure the database directory, and create the first administrator account. Other team computers only need the Client component and the server LAN address.

Architecture

flowchart LR
    C1["FindFlow Client A"] -->|"LAN HTTP"| S["FindFlow Server"]
    C2["FindFlow Client B"] -->|"LAN HTTP"| S
    C3["FindFlow Client C"] -->|"LAN HTTP"| S
    S --> D[".findflow database\nprojects, users, assets, history"]

Loading

FindFlow Server is the only process that reads and writes the shared database. Clients use a local WebView shell and proxy data operations to the server. The server computer must remain online while the team is using FindFlow. See Architecture for implementation details.

Requirements

• Windows 10 or Windows 11
• Python 3.12 for source builds
• A trusted local network
• A reliable local, NAS, or shared storage location for the server database

Do not expose the FindFlow service directly to the public internet.

Run From Source

python -m pip install -r requirements-build.txt
python findflow_server.py
python findflow_client.py

Start the server first. Its default LAN port is 8788. Configure each client with an address such as http://192.168.1.20:8788.

Build Windows v2.1.1

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

The build script creates a clean web payload without built-in accounts or sample projects, then packages the Server, Client, uninstaller, and setup wizard with PyInstaller.

Tests

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

Security

FindFlow 2.1.1 is intended for trusted Windows LANs. Review SECURITY.md before deployment. Access to the server database directory must be limited to the server account and authorized administrators.

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、游戏 CG 与后期制作团队的 Windows 项目流程管理系统，覆盖项目模板、镜头追踪、版本提交、审片反馈、画板、作品画廊、用户组及项目权限等工作。

2.1.1 采用中心服务架构：FindFlow Server 统一读写数据库，团队成员通过 FindFlow Client 在局域网中协作，避免多台电脑同时直接写入共享 JSON 文件造成保存冲突。服务端电脑在团队使用期间需要保持运行。

安装时，服务器电脑选择“服务器端（同时安装客户端）”；普通成员电脑只选择“仅客户端”，并填写服务器的局域网地址即可。