> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.agno.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Local Vector Databases: ChromaDB and LanceDB

> For local development and prototyping, you can use embedded vector databases that don't require a server.

```python local.py theme={null}
"""
Local Vector Databases: ChromaDB and LanceDB
==============================================
For local development and prototyping, you can use embedded vector databases
that don't require a server.

ChromaDB:
- In-memory or persistent storage
- Simple setup, good for prototyping
- pip install chromadb

LanceDB:
- File-based storage (no server needed)
- Supports hybrid search
- pip install lancedb

See also: 01_qdrant.py for production, 03_managed.py for Pinecone, 04_pgvector.py for PostgreSQL.
"""

from agno.agent import Agent
from agno.knowledge.embedder.openai import OpenAIEmbedder
from agno.knowledge.knowledge import Knowledge
from agno.models.openai import OpenAIResponses

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# ChromaDB Setup
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

try:
    from agno.vectordb.chroma import ChromaDb

    knowledge_chroma = Knowledge(
        vector_db=ChromaDb(
            collection="local_demo",
            embedder=OpenAIEmbedder(id="text-embedding-3-small"),
        ),
    )
except ImportError:
    knowledge_chroma = None
    print("ChromaDB not installed. Run: pip install chromadb")

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# LanceDB Setup
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

try:
    from agno.vectordb.lancedb import LanceDb, SearchType

    knowledge_lance = Knowledge(
        vector_db=LanceDb(
            uri="tmp/lancedb",
            table_name="local_demo",
            search_type=SearchType.hybrid,
            embedder=OpenAIEmbedder(id="text-embedding-3-small"),
        ),
    )
except ImportError:
    knowledge_lance = None
    print("LanceDB not installed. Run: pip install lancedb")

# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Run Demo
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

if __name__ == "__main__":
    pdf_url = "https://agno-public.s3.amazonaws.com/recipes/ThaiRecipes.pdf"

    if knowledge_chroma:
        print("\n" + "=" * 60)
        print("ChromaDB: in-memory vector database")
        print("=" * 60 + "\n")

        knowledge_chroma.insert(url=pdf_url)
        agent = Agent(
            model=OpenAIResponses(id="gpt-5.2"),
            knowledge=knowledge_chroma,
            search_knowledge=True,
            markdown=True,
        )
        agent.print_response("What Thai recipes do you know?", stream=True)

    if knowledge_lance:
        print("\n" + "=" * 60)
        print("LanceDB: file-based vector database with hybrid search")
        print("=" * 60 + "\n")

        knowledge_lance.insert(url=pdf_url)
        agent = Agent(
            model=OpenAIResponses(id="gpt-5.2"),
            knowledge=knowledge_lance,
            search_knowledge=True,
            markdown=True,
        )
        agent.print_response("What Thai desserts are available?", stream=True)
```

## Run the Example

<Steps>
  <Snippet file="create-venv-step.mdx" />

  <Step title="Install dependencies">
    ```bash theme={null}
    uv pip install -U agno chromadb lancedb openai pyarrow
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Export your API keys">
    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Mac/Linux theme={null}
      export LANCEDB_API_KEY="your_lancedb_api_key_here"
      export OPENAI_API_KEY="your_openai_api_key_here"
      ```

      ```bash Windows theme={null}
      $Env:LANCEDB_API_KEY="your_lancedb_api_key_here"
      $Env:OPENAI_API_KEY="your_openai_api_key_here"
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run the example">
    Save the code above as `local.py`, then run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    python local.py
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

Full source: [cookbook/07\_knowledge/05\_integrations/vector\_dbs/02\_local.py](https://github.com/agno-agi/agno/blob/main/cookbook/07_knowledge/05_integrations/vector_dbs/02_local.py)