# Build a knowledge base chatbot with OpenAI and RAG: n8n workflow

> Started by someone opening a chat with it, and works across Google Docs. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you...

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/build-a-knowledge-base-chatbot-with-openai-and-rag (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [AI assistants](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=AI+assistants#library)

# Build a knowledge base chatbot with OpenAI and RAG

Started by someone opening a chat with it, and works across Google Docs. It puts OpenAI behind a retrieval step, so answers are drawn from documents you supply rather than from the model alone. 12 steps: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium Calls a model: OpenAI Retrieval

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-a-knowledge-base-chatbot-with-openai-and-rag)

**12 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**0** Branches: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Model 9 Service 1

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **OpenAI Chat Model** Lm Chat Open Ai *Model*
- 2 **Embeddings OpenAI** Embeddings Open Ai *Model*
- 3 **When clicking "Execute Workflow"** Manual trigger *Starts it*
- 4 **Simple Memory** Memory Buffer Window *Model*
- 5 **Document Chunker** Text Splitter Recursive Character Text Splitter *Model*
- 6 **OpenAI Embeddings Generator** Embeddings Open Ai *Model*
- 7 **When chat message received** Chat trigger *Starts it*
- 8 **Knowledge Base Agent** Agent *Model*
- 9 **MongoDB Vector Search** Vector Store Mongo DBAtlas *Model*
- 10 **Google Docs Importer** Google Docs *Service*
- 11 **Document Section Loader** Document Default Data Loader *Model*
- 12 **MongoDB Vector Store Inserter** Vector Store Mongo DBAtlas *Model*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Someone opening a chat with it
- **Steps:** 12
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** Google Docs
- **Model:** OpenAI
- **Retrieval:** Answers are drawn from documents you supply, not from the model alone

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account, plus your own Google Docs account, and a key for OpenAI. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on someone opening a chat with it.

Does it use AI?

Yes. It calls OpenAI. Its answers draw on documents you give it, not on the model alone. Model calls are billed by the provider, not by n8n.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 12 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 12 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fbuild-a-knowledge-base-chatbot-with-openai-and-rag)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[Google Docs](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=Google+Docs#library)

## Workflows like it

Also ai assistants, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

- [**Create structured eBooks in minutes with Gemini** 12 steps · calls a model · Google Docs](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-structured-ebooks-in-minutes-with-gemini)
- [**AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot with Venom Bot and Gemini** 13 steps · calls a model · Google Docs](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/ai-powered-whatsapp-chatbot-with-venom-bot-and-gemini)
- [**Generate data-driven UX personas with Perplexity and DALL** 11 steps · calls a model · Google Docs, Google Drive](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-data-driven-ux-personas-with-perplexity-and-dall)
- [**Generate natural health remedies guides with OpenAI** 13 steps · calls a model · Google Docs, n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/generate-natural-health-remedies-guides-with-openai)
- [**Convert CDP network topology to Lucidchart prompts with AWX** 14 steps · calls a model · Google Docs](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/convert-cdp-network-topology-to-lucidchart-prompts-with-awx)
- [**Create anti-cheating tests from PDFs with OpenAI** 10 steps · calls a model · Gmail, Google Docs](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/create-anti-cheating-tests-from-pdfs-with-openai)