MeiliSearch

MeiliSearch powers full-text search over messages and conversations in IntelliAsk. Its MEILI_* keys in config/.env, the master key, storage, and links to the official Meilisearch docs.

MeiliSearch powers full-text search in IntelliAsk — finding messages and conversations instantly. The main app indexes content into MeiliSearch and queries it when you use the search bar.

Overview

Compose fileconfig/meilisearch.compose.yml
Service namemeilisearch
Image variableMEILI_IMAGE (e.g. meilisearch:v1.40.0)
Exposedinternal only (app reaches it at MEILI_HOST)
Databind-mounted at ${STORAGE_ROOT}/meilisearch → /meili_data

Environment variables

MeiliSearch's settings use the MEILI_ prefix (plus the app-side SEARCH toggle) in config/.env:

config/.env keyContainer variableDefaultWhat it does
MEILI_IMAGE(image)meilisearch:v1.40.0Image + tag to run.
MEILI_CPUS(deploy limit)0.5CPU ceiling.
MEILI_MEMORY(deploy limit)256mMemory ceiling.
MEILI_MASTER_KEYMEILI_MASTER_KEY(secret)Master key securing the API — generated on first provision.
MEILI_NO_ANALYTICSMEILI_NO_ANALYTICStrueDisable MeiliSearch telemetry.
MEILI_HOST(app side)http://meilisearch:7700URL the main app uses.
SEARCH(app side)trueToggles the search feature in the app.

The master key must match the app

MEILI_MASTER_KEY secures the MeiliSearch API. The same value is used by the main app to authenticate, so if you rotate it, recreate both meilisearch and intelliask. Never expose MeiliSearch outside the Compose network.

After editing any value, apply with:

intelliask up meilisearch

Storage & re-indexing

The search index is bind-mounted at ${STORAGE_ROOT}/meilisearch, so it survives container restarts. The index is derived data — if it is lost or you change the MeiliSearch major version, the app can rebuild it from MongoDB. Back up the meilisearch folder for a fast restore, or simply let it re-index.

Resource limits

The defaults (MEILI_CPUS=0.5, MEILI_MEMORY=256m) suit typical message volumes. MeiliSearch keeps hot structures in memory — raise MEILI_MEMORY for very large histories and watch docker stats.

Updating MeiliSearch

# 1. Bump the tag in config/.env, e.g. MEILI_IMAGE=meilisearch:v1.41.0
# 2. Pull + recreate only MeiliSearch
intelliask update meilisearch

Index format across major versions

MeiliSearch sometimes changes its on-disk index format between releases and requires a dump/import migration. Back up the data folder first and check the upstream release notes — or clear the index and let the app re-index from MongoDB.

Official documentation

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