# How to teach Open WebUI your knowledge

Teach Open WebUI [your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base) by creating a Knowledge Base, uploading PDFs or other files, and attaching it to a model or conversation. To search [saved reading](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-article-saver) outside Open WebUI, an administrator can add KnowMan's hosted [MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) and let the model use its search and question-answering tools.

## 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](https://docs.openwebui.com/features/workspace/knowledge).

## 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](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base). 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](https://docs.openwebui.com/features/extensibility/mcp).

## 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](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles). See the [KnowMan MCP project](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp).

## 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](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server) 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](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes).

## Questions

### 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](https://www.knowman.io/guides/rag-vs-personal-knowledge-base). 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.

## Related guides

- [Connect your knowledge base through KnowMan's MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base)

- [What is a personal knowledge base, and how do you build one?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base)

- [Understand AI knowledge bases through the sources behind an answer](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base)

- [How Do You Connect AI to Your Notes?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes)

- [How to Give Your AI Context from What You Read](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context)

## More in this topic

- [How to teach Augment Code your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-augment-your-knowledge)
- [Can a ChatGPT dot use an MCP server?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-chatgpt-dots-your-knowledge)
- [How to teach Claude Duet your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-claude-duet-your-knowledge)

## More for Open WebUI

- [Connect Open WebUI to KnowMan](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/open-webui)
- [How to give Open WebUI better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/open-webui-memory)
- [Open WebUI and your knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/open-webui-knowledge-base)

## Bring your saved reading into Open WebUI

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Source: https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-open-webui-your-knowledge