Building a better Storytell: What’s new in search, file handling, and collaboration

In this week’s engineering demo, February 7th, the engineering team introduced updates that enhance file handling, search functionality, system performance, and security. Here’s a closer look at what’s new.

Making spreadsheets easier to work with

Shelby, our principal software engineer, introduced improvements to handling XLS and CSV files. The new “rewriter” feature detects and processes duplicate files more efficiently, reducing clutter and improving system performance.

Additionally, file chunks now include more context, allowing Storytell to better understand which document or spreadsheet tab you're referencing when asking questions. This ensures clearer responses and minimizes confusion.

Key improvements include:

• Original file names are preserved for better tracking.
• Sheet names in Excel files help provide precise context.

Faster and more intuitive file search

Aaron, our principal software engineer, developed a new search endpoint that enhances file discovery. You can now locate files faster using specific parameters, as Storytell embeds file names, collections, and content types directly into memory for improved relevance. This update also strengthens security by ensuring you only see files you have permission to access.

Additionally, asset mentions are in progress—Aaron and Andi, our senior frontend engineer, are developing an "@" mention system that makes it easier to reference specific files in conversation.

Smoother collaboration and sharing

Aaron also streamlined the sharing process. Pending invitations now auto-accept upon registration, eliminating manual approvals and simplifying onboarding. A fix ensures that all collaborators are correctly displayed in shared collections, making it clear who has access.

A more user-friendly collection view

Andi introduced interface updates based on user feedback:

• The prompt bar is now at the top for better visibility.
• Chats, assets, and interactions are consolidated into a single view for improved navigation.
• The upload button is more prominent, making file management easier

Updates to authentication pages also enhance the sign-up and login experience. The redesigned layout includes clearer text guidance, social proof elements, and better navigation. A small but useful tweak now displays when a magic link has been sent, reducing login confusion.

Optimized file processing for speed and reliability

Alex, our DevOps Engineer, led a major infrastructure upgrade by migrating file processing to a Kubernetes-based system that scales dynamically based on demand. This ensures faster processing during peak times while conserving resources when demand is low.

Other improvements include:

• Automatic SSL certificate renewal, preventing downtime due to expired certificates.
• Integration of OpenAI’s o3 Mini and Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash, refining AI model selection for different tasks.

With these updates, Storytell delivers better search capabilities, faster file processing, and a more intuitive interface—continuing to refine the platform to meet your needs.