### Suzee
So can you rewrite the LanceDB import script and the query tools script. Is it correct for me to assume that we won't have problems with 'atomic file operations' in Windows. After deciding to not use ChromaDB, we thought of switching the Postgres, which has a vector DB extension, but there were problems with that too, so since AnythingLLM uses LanceDB on both Windows and Unix that seems like the way to go.
### Claude
You're absolutely right! Since AnythingLLM successfully uses LanceDB on Windows, the atomic file operations issue must be solvable. Let me rewrite both scripts using their proven approach - single LanceDB tables with all metadata included, no Prisma complexity.
Artifact-code: LanceDB Import Script (ChromaDB Migration) - Version 12
// import-lanceDB.mjs - Simplified LanceDB import (AnythingLLM style) import ollama from "ollama"; import \* as lancedb from "@lancedb/lancedb"; import path from "path"; import fs from "fs"; // Import your utility functions (adjust path as needed) va
Artifact-code: LanceDB Query Tools (ChromaDB Equivalent Queries) - Version 3
// query-lanceDB.mjs - Query tools for LanceDB (simplified, all-in-one approach) import \* as lancedb from "@lancedb/lancedb"; import ollama from "ollama"; import path from "path"; // Simple configuration - match your import script const lanceDbPath
## Key Changes Made:
**1\. Single Table Approach:**
* **No Prisma/SQLite** - everything stored in LanceDB
* **All metadata in LanceDB fields** - document info, chunk info, timestamps, etc.
* **No separate "join tables"** - relationships handled by common fields
**2\. AnythingLLM-Style Implementation:**
* **Simple connection**: Just `lancedb.connect(path)` - no complex configuration
* **Schema inference**: Let LanceDB figure out the schema from the first batch of data
* **Batch insert**: Create table with all chunks at once (like AnythingLLM does)
**3\. Complete Metadata Storage:**
// Everything in one record:
{
id: "document_chunk0",
vector: [0.1, 0.2, ...], // The embedding
chunk_text: "actual text", // The content
document_name: "iPad Guide.pdf", // All document metadata
document_path: "/files/ipad.pdf",
chunk_index: 0, // All chunk metadata
chunk_position_str: "0 + 1024",
created_at: "2025-01-01...", // All timestamps
embed_model: "nomic-embed-text" // All processing info
}
**4\. Windows Compatibility:**
* **No atomic file operations** during processing
* **Single batch creation** instead of multiple append operations
* **Simple file path** - just the directory, let LanceDB handle the rest
**Usage:**
Import (same as before)
node import-lanceDB.mjs s13_apple-ipad
Query (enhanced commands)
node query-lanceDB.mjs counts
node query-lanceDB.mjs collections
node query-lanceDB.mjs documents s13_apple-ipad
node query-lanceDB.mjs chunks s13_apple-ipad
node query-lanceDB.mjs search s13_apple-ipad "iPad features"
node query-lanceDB.mjs schema s13_apple-ipad
This approach eliminates the complexity of the hybrid system and should avoid the Windows file system issues since we're doing everything in single operations, just like AnythingLLM does successfully.
// const lancedb = require("@lancedb/lancedb"); // import lancedb from "vectordb"; // import \* as lancedb from "vectordb"; import \* as lancedb from "@lancedb/lancedb"; // const { toChunks, getEmbeddingEngineSelection } = require("../../helpe
pasted
### Suzee
I don't see that version 12 is any different. But I have copied a script, lancedb/index.js from AnythingLLM, turned it into an .mjs script and commented out all the `require()` statements. I just want to create a "table" . Here is a copy of the script.
And I have created this test script:
import LanceDb from "./lanceDB_u1.01.mjs"
var pLanceDb = LanceDb
var pClient = await pLanceDb.connect( )
console.log( pClient )
console.log( await pLanceDb.tables() )
console.log( await pLanceDb.heartbeat() )
console.log( await pLanceDb.updateOrCreateCollection( pClient, [], 'workspace' ) )
But it fails on this line.
{client: Connection}
testLanceDB.mjs:6
(0) []
testLanceDB.mjs:7
{heartbeat: 1748994686537}
testLanceDB.mjs:8
Uncaught TypeError TypeError: client.createTable is not a function
at updateOrCreateCollection (e:\Repos\Robin\AIDocs_\test1-robin\server1\components\AnyLLM\lanceDB_u1.01.mjs:161:18)
I have been able to run the AnythingLLM server app, and suspended it on the same line and seen it create a directory, `workspace.lance` with these initial files.
File Size Date Time /home/shared/repos/AnyLLM/server/storage/lancedb/workspace.lance
---------- ------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4096 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance
623 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance/_latest.manifest
4096 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance/_transactions
569 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance/_transactions/0-70e0fa4a-e1b3-4ce7-89b2-844d7e5ba1b7.txn
4096 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance/_versions
623 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance/_versions/1.manifest
4096 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance/data
15457 2025-06-03 18:33.01 workspace.lance/data/bdd68db3-5130-4fa8-8d66-473721bc55c7.lance
Finally I have installed the same version of LanceDB v0.5.2. What do you suppose if wrong?
### Claude
Looking at your code and the error, I can see the issue! The problem is in the `updateOrCreateCollection` function - you're not passing the `client.client` properly.
**The Issue:**
// In your connect function, you return:
return { client };
// But then in updateOrCreateCollection, you're calling:
await client.createTable(namespace, data);
// But client is wrapped in an object! It should be:
await client.client.createTable(namespace, data);
**The Fix:** Update your `updateOrCreateCollection` function:
updateOrCreateCollection: async function (client, data = [], namespace) {
const hasNamespace = await this.hasNamespace(namespace);
if (hasNamespace) {
// Fix: Use client.client since connect() returns {client: actualClient}
const collection = await client.client.openTable(namespace);
await collection.add(data);
return true;
}
// Fix: Use client.client here too
await client.client.createTable(namespace, data);
return true;
},
**Alternative Fix:** Change your test script to unwrap the client:
import LanceDb from "./lanceDB_u1.01.mjs"
var pLanceDb = LanceDb;
var pClientWrapper = await pLanceDb.connect();
var pClient = pClientWrapper.client; // Unwrap the actual client
console.log(pClientWrapper);
console.log(await pLanceDb.tables());
console.log(await pLanceDb.heartbeat());
// Now pass the unwrapped client
console.log(await pLanceDb.updateOrCreateCollection(pClientWrapper, [], 'workspace'));
**Even Better Fix:** Simplify the connect function to not wrap the client:
connect: async function (aURI) {
const client = await lancedb.connect(aURI ? aURI : this.uri);
return client; // Return client directly, not wrapped
}
Then update all other functions that expect `{client}` to just use `client` directly.
**Why AnythingLLM Works:** Looking at their pattern, they probably always destructure the client:
const { client } = await this.connect();
await client.createTable(namespace, data);
The issue is that your `connect()` returns `{client: actualClient}` but you're trying to call methods on the wrapper object instead of the actual client inside it.
Try one of these fixes and your table creation should work!
### Suzee
I got the `client.createTable` method to work, but it didn't like an MT data object. But when I copied this data from the suspended script in AnythingLLM, I got this error. Any idea what is needed.
Uncaught SyntaxError SyntaxError: Invalid shorthand property initializer
at moduleStrategy (/internal/modules/esm/translators:155:18)
at callTranslator (/internal/modules/esm/loader:285:14)
at moduleProvider (/internal/modules/esm/loader:291:30)
--- await ---
at runMainESM (/internal/modules/run_main:98:21)
at executeUserEntryPoint (/internal/modules/run_main:131:5)
at (/internal/main/run_main_module:28:49)
translators:155
Process exited with code 1
Here is my test script with some copied sample data.
import LanceDb from "./lanceDB_u1.01.mjs"
var pLanceDb = LanceDb
var pClient = (await pLanceDb.connect( )).client
console.log( pClient )
console.log( await pLanceDb.tables() )
console.log( await pLanceDb.heartbeat() )
var pSubmissions =
{ id : 'e3348491-bcfc-40e0-aeaa-7008625c7f8f'
, vector : [ -0.11096369475126266, 0.08044935762882233, 0.0018567322986200452, 0.01913556456565857, 0.027004873380064964, 0.10751841217279434, -0.026721511036157608, -0.037740737199783325, -0.013561113737523556, -0.033053066581487656, -0.0226738378405571, 0.13033732771873474, 0.005556583870202303, -0.055246151983737946, 0.04916595667600632, 0.022800970822572708, 0.03208574652671814, 0.03990311175584793, -0.06367773562669754, 0.09163136780261993, 0.0862494707107544, 0.0751122385263443, -0.023026131093502045, 0.09211494773626328, 0.021456537768244743, 0.001674095867201686, -0.019561953842639923, -0.07300662249326706, -0.015277177095413208, 0.002256261883303523, -0.04012103006243706, -0.06501588225364685, -0.025686051696538925, 0.030146343633532524, -0.05027066543698311, -0.029621675610542297, 0.12206357717514038, -0.0742320790886879, 0.06492813676595688, 0.004428662825375795, -0.02087383344769478, -0.037888847291469574, -0.017978008836507797, 0.02059764973819256, -0.05560066178441048 ]
, metadata :
{ chunkSource : ''
, description : 'A bill of rights as provided in the ten original amendments to the constitution of the United States in force December 15, 1791. [n. p. 195-].'
, docAuthor : 'no author found'
, docSource : 'pdf file uploaded by the user.'
, id : '09c01525-7b83-4015-9e26-d249a8abed4b'
, published : '6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM'
, text : '\nsourceDocument: Bill of Rights.pdf\npublished: 6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM\n\n\nA bill of rights as provided in the ten original amendments to the constitution of the United States in force December 15, 1791. [n.\np. 195-]. http://www.loc.gov/resource/rbpe.24404400\nA bill of rights as provided in the ten original amendments to the constitution of the\nUnited States in force December 15, 1791. [n. p. 195-].\nA Bill of Rights as provided in the Ten Original Amendments t? the United States\nin force December 15, 1791.\nArticle I\nCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise\nthereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press: or the right of the people peaceably to\nassemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.\nArticle II\nA well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep\nand bear Arms, shall not be infringed.\nArticle III'
, title : 'Bill of Rights.pdf'
, token_count_estimate = 770
, url : 'file:///home/shared/repos/AnyLLM/collector/hotdir/Bill of Rights.pdf'
, wordCount : 537
}
}
var pRec = await pLanceDb.updateOrCreateCollection( pClient, pSubmissions, 'collection' )
console.log( aRec )
debugger
### Claude
The syntax error is in your data object! You have an invalid property assignment. Look at this line:
, token_count_estimate = 770 // ? WRONG - using = instead of :
**Fix the syntax:**
var pSubmissions = {
id: 'e3348491-bcfc-40e0-aeaa-7008625c7f8f',
vector: [ -0.11096369475126266, 0.08044935762882233, /* ... */ ],
metadata: {
chunkSource: '',
description: 'A bill of rights as provided in the ten original amendments...',
docAuthor: 'no author found',
docSource: 'pdf file uploaded by the user.',
id: '09c01525-7b83-4015-9e26-d249a8abed4b',
published: '6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM',
text: '\nsourceDocument: Bill of Rights.pdf...',
title: 'Bill of Rights.pdf',
token_count_estimate: 770, // ? FIXED - using : instead of =
url: 'file:///home/shared/repos/AnyLLM/collector/hotdir/Bill of Rights.pdf',
wordCount: 537
}
};
**Also fix your console.log:**
var pRec = await pLanceDb.updateOrCreateCollection(pClient, pSubmissions, 'collection');
console.log(pRec); // ? FIXED - was "aRec" but variable is "pRec"
**Additional Issue:** Your `updateOrCreateCollection` function expects an **array** of data, but you're passing a single object. Fix this:
// Instead of passing single object:
var pRec = await pLanceDb.updateOrCreateCollection(pClient, pSubmissions, 'collection');
// Pass an array:
var pRec = await pLanceDb.updateOrCreateCollection(pClient, [pSubmissions], 'collection');
**Complete Fixed Test Script:**
import LanceDb from "./lanceDB_u1.01.mjs"
var pLanceDb = LanceDb;
var pClient = (await pLanceDb.connect()).client;
console.log(pClient);
console.log(await pLanceDb.tables());
console.log(await pLanceDb.heartbeat());
var pSubmissions = [{ // ? Array of objects
id: 'e3348491-bcfc-40e0-aeaa-7008625c7f8f',
vector: [ -0.11096369475126266, 0.08044935762882233, 0.0018567322986200452 /* ... truncated */ ],
metadata: {
chunkSource: '',
description: 'A bill of rights as provided in the ten original amendments to the constitution of the United States in force December 15, 1791. [n. p. 195-].',
docAuthor: 'no author found',
docSource: 'pdf file uploaded by the user.',
id: '09c01525-7b83-4015-9e26-d249a8abed4b',
published: '6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM',
text: '\nsourceDocument: Bill of Rights.pdf\npublished: 6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM\n\n\nA bill of rights...',
title: 'Bill of Rights.pdf',
token_count_estimate: 770, // ? Fixed colon
url: 'file:///home/shared/repos/AnyLLM/collector/hotdir/Bill of Rights.pdf',
wordCount: 537
}
}];
var pRec = await pLanceDb.updateOrCreateCollection(pClient, pSubmissions, 'collection');
console.log(pRec); // ? Fixed variable name
debugger;
The main issues were:
1. **Syntax Error**: `token_count_estimate = 770` should be `token_count_estimate: 770`
2. **Type Error**: Function expects array `[data]`, not single object `data`
3. **Variable Error**: Logging `aRec` instead of `pRec`
### Suzee
Good catch. Now I get
Uncaught TypeError TypeError: Cannot convert undefined or null to object
at makeArrowTable (e:\Repos\Robin\AIDocs_\test1-robin\server1\node_modules\@lancedb\lancedb\dist\arrow.js:308:72)
at createTable (e:\Repos\Robin\AIDocs_\test1-robin\server1\node_modules\@lancedb\lancedb\dist\connection.js:116:48)
at updateOrCreateCollection (e:\Repos\Robin\AIDocs_\test1-robin\server1\components\AnyLLM\lanceDB_u1.01.mjs:161:18)
--- await ---
at runMainESM (/internal/modules/run_main:98:21)
at executeUserEntryPoint (/internal/modules/run_main:131:5)
at (/internal/main/run_main_module:28:49)
arrow.js:308
Process exited with code 1
### Claude
The error is happening because LanceDB can't convert your data structure to an Arrow table. The issue is that your data has **nested objects** (the `metadata` property), but LanceDB expects a **flat structure**.
**The Problem:**
var pSubmissions = [{
id: 'e3348491-bcfc-40e0-aeaa-7008625c7f8f',
vector: [...],
metadata: { // ? Nested object - LanceDB can't handle this
chunkSource: '',
description: '...',
// ...
}
}];
**The Solution - Flatten the structure:**
var pSubmissions = [{
id: 'e3348491-bcfc-40e0-aeaa-7008625c7f8f',
vector: [ -0.11096369475126266, 0.08044935762882233, /* ... */ ],
// Flatten all metadata fields to top level
chunkSource: '',
description: 'A bill of rights as provided in the ten original amendments to the constitution of the United States in force December 15, 1791. [n. p. 195-].',
docAuthor: 'no author found',
docSource: 'pdf file uploaded by the user.',
// Note: You can't have two 'id' fields, so rename one
metadataId: '09c01525-7b83-4015-9e26-d249a8abed4b', // Renamed from metadata.id
published: '6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM',
text: '\nsourceDocument: Bill of Rights.pdf\npublished: 6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM\n\n\nA bill of rights...',
title: 'Bill of Rights.pdf',
token_count_estimate: 770,
url: 'file:///home/shared/repos/AnyLLM/collector/hotdir/Bill of Rights.pdf',
wordCount: 537
}];
**Or Convert to JSON String:** If you need to keep the nested structure, convert it to a JSON string:
var pSubmissions = [{
id: 'e3348491-bcfc-40e0-aeaa-7008625c7f8f',
vector: [ -0.11096369475126266, /* ... */ ],
// Convert nested object to JSON string
metadata: JSON.stringify({
chunkSource: '',
description: 'A bill of rights as provided...',
docAuthor: 'no author found',
docSource: 'pdf file uploaded by the user.',
id: '09c01525-7b83-4015-9e26-d249a8abed4b',
published: '6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM',
text: '...',
title: 'Bill of Rights.pdf',
token_count_estimate: 770,
url: 'file:///home/shared/repos/AnyLLM/collector/hotdir/Bill of Rights.pdf',
wordCount: 537
})
}];
**Recommended Approach (Matching AnythingLLM's actual pattern):** Looking at AnythingLLM's real data structure, they actually flatten everything:
var pSubmissions = [{
id: 'e3348491-bcfc-40e0-aeaa-7008625c7f8f',
vector: [ -0.11096369475126266, 0.08044935762882233, /* your full vector here */ ],
// All fields at top level (like AnythingLLM does)
text: '\nsourceDocument: Bill of Rights.pdf\npublished: 6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM\n\n\nA bill of rights...',
title: 'Bill of Rights.pdf',
description: 'A bill of rights as provided in the ten original amendments to the constitution of the United States in force December 15, 1791. [n. p. 195-].',
docAuthor: 'no author found',
docSource: 'pdf file uploaded by the user.',
published: '6/3/2025, 12:52:20 PM',
token_count_estimate: 770,
url: 'file:///home/shared/repos/AnyLLM/collector/hotdir/Bill of Rights.pdf',
wordCount: 537,
chunkSource: ''
}];
Try the flattened approach first - it should work just like it does in AnythingLLM!