Create an Open WebUI Knowledge Base
Open Workspace > Knowledge and select Create. Give the Knowledge Base a name and description. You can then upload PDFs, documents, and other files, as described in the Open WebUI Knowledge documentation.
Attach knowledge to a chat or model
Reference a Knowledge Base in chat with #, or attach it to a model under Workspace > Models > Edit. Knowledge Bases can be scoped to specific models or left unscoped so the model can discover everything the user can access. See Open WebUI Knowledge documentation.
Choose Focused Retrieval or Full Context
Focused Retrieval uses RAG to find relevant chunks for each query. Full Context sends a file's complete content into every message without chunking or semantic search. Unlike Notes, Knowledge can retrieve relevant passages on demand. See Open WebUI Knowledge documentation.
Enable knowledge tools for a model
For Focused Retrieval, use a model that supports native function calling, then enable Builtin Tools and the Knowledge Base tool category. With native function calling, models can browse Knowledge Bases, read files page by page, and synthesize across documents. See Open WebUI Knowledge documentation.
Add KnowMan through Open WebUI MCP
MCP support requires Open WebUI v0.6.31 or later. An administrator opens Settings > Admin > Integrations, adds an MCP server, chooses MCP (Streamable HTTP), enters https://api.knowman.io/mcp, supplies OAuth 2.1 or other required authentication, and saves. See Open WebUI MCP documentation.
Connect KnowMan with OAuth or an API key
KnowMan's hosted server supports OAuth or an Authorization: Bearer API key. OAuth read access covers searching, reading, and asking, while write access covers saving links. After setup, ask Open WebUI to search your KnowMan or save a URL. See the KnowMan MCP project.
Where KnowMan fits
KnowMan is useful when your source material lives in a personal reading library rather than only in Open WebUI files. Its MCP tools can search saved items, answer with citations, read one item, save a URL, list recent items, and retrieve saved claims, decisions, and playbooks. See the KnowMan MCP project. For a broader explanation, see connecting AI to your notes.
Questions people ask
What is the simplest way to teach Open WebUI a document?
Create a Knowledge Base, upload the document, then attach the collection to a model or reference it in chat with #. See Open WebUI Knowledge documentation.
Should I use Focused Retrieval or Full Context?
Focused Retrieval uses RAG to find relevant chunks for each query. Full Context injects the complete file into every message without chunking or semantic search. See Open WebUI Knowledge documentation.
Can regular Open WebUI users add an MCP server?
No. Only administrators can register MCP servers under Settings > Admin > Integrations. Administrators can use Access Control to limit the server to selected users or groups. See Open WebUI MCP documentation.
What can Open WebUI do with KnowMan after MCP setup?
The available KnowMan tools can search saved items, answer questions with citations, read an item, save a URL, list recent items, and retrieve saved claims, decisions, and playbooks. See the KnowMan MCP project.