> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.thoughtly.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Get started with Genius knowledge bases
> Set up a Thoughtly Genius knowledge base to augment voice agents with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) over your own docs, sites, and uploaded files.
export const NextSection = ({title, icon, href, description}) =>
{description}
;
**Prerequisites**: Have your business content ready (FAQs, product docs, policies). See [Best Practices](/genius/best-practices) first.
Augment your voice agents with specialized knowledge through AI-powered [retrieval augmented generation (RAG)](/resources/glossary#rag), ensuring agents have access to your business information during every call.
## What is Genius?
Genius databases serve as intelligent knowledge repositories that inform your voice agents about your business, services, and any domain-specific information. Using retrieval augmented generation technology, Genius transforms your source materials into optimized question-and-answer formats that agents can easily understand and reference during calls.
### How Genius Works
1. **Content Ingestion**: You upload various file types or provide URLs containing your business information
2. **AI Processing**: The system analyzes and transforms content into structured Q\&A format
3. **Agent Integration**: Genius databases are connected to specific agents through Automations or Agent Builder
4. **Call Enhancement**: During calls, agents access relevant information to provide accurate, informed responses
## Supported Content Types
Genius accepts multiple content formats to accommodate different information sources:
### File Types
* **Text files**: Plain text documents with business information
* **PDF documents**: Reports, manuals, guides, and formatted documents
* **Audio files**: Recorded training materials or information sessions
* **CSV files**: Structured data (see best practices below for optimal usage)
### Web Content
* **URLs**: Website pages, documentation sites, and online resources
* **Static content**: Information is fetched once during setup and not automatically updated
## Best Practices for Content Types
### Recommended: Unstructured Data
**Why Unstructured Works Better**: RAG technology excels at processing natural language content and converting it into contextual knowledge that agents can understand intuitively.
**Ideal Content Formats**:
* Narrative descriptions of business processes
* Customer service scripts and guidelines
* Product documentation written in conversational style
* FAQ documents with natural language questions and answers
### Use with Caution: Structured Data
**CSV and Spreadsheet Limitations**: While CSV files are supported, they can lead to higher rates of [hallucinations](/resources/glossary#hallucination) or inaccurate responses due to the structured nature conflicting with RAG processing.
**Common Mistake**: Uploading large spreadsheets with complex data relationships. RAG works best with natural language. Convert structured data into Q\&A format instead: "Q: What's the price for Product A? A: \$299."
**When to Use CSV**:
* Simple lookup tables with clear key-value relationships
* Small datasets with straightforward information
* Data that supplements rather than replaces unstructured content
**CSV Best Practices**:
* Keep data simple and avoid complex relationships
* Include descriptive headers that provide context
* Combine with unstructured explanations when possible
```mermaid theme={null}
%%{init: {'theme':'base', 'themeVariables': { 'fontSize':'16px'}}}%%
graph LR
subgraph Recommended["✅ RECOMMENDED: Unstructured Data"]
A["📝 FAQs & Documentation"]
B["💬 Conversational Text"]
C["📄 Natural Language PDFs"]
D["🎙️ Audio Content"]
style A fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c,stroke-width:3px
style B fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c,stroke-width:3px
style C fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c,stroke-width:3px
style D fill:#e8f5e9,stroke:#388e3c,stroke-width:3px
end
subgraph Caution["⚠️ USE WITH CAUTION: Structured Data"]
E["📊 CSV Files"]
F["📈 Spreadsheets"]
G["🗂️ Tables"]
style E fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c00,stroke-width:3px
style F fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c00,stroke-width:3px
style G fill:#fff3e0,stroke:#f57c00,stroke-width:3px
end
Recommended -->|"Best for RAG Low hallucination risk"| H["🤖 Genius Knowledge Base"]
Caution -->|"Higher risk Convert to Q&A format"| H
style H fill:#e3f2fd,stroke:#1976d2,stroke-width:4px
style Recommended fill:#f1f8f4,stroke:#388e3c,stroke-width:2px
style Caution fill:#fff8e1,stroke:#f57c00,stroke-width:2px
```
## Getting Started
### Step 1: Create a Genius Database
1. **Navigate** to **Tools → Genius** in the primary navigation
2. **Click** "Create New Genius" button
3. **Enter** a descriptive database name
4. **Save** to create your new knowledge base
The new database appears in the Genius list and is ready for content addition.
### Step 2: Add Content Sources
1. **Select** your newly created database from the Genius list
2. **Choose** content type (Text, Audio, PDF, CSV, or URL)
3. **Provide** a descriptive name for the source
4. **Upload file** or **enter URL** as appropriate
5. **Save** to begin processing
### Processing Time
Content processing typically takes **2-10 minutes** depending on:
* File size and complexity
* Content type (text processes faster than audio)
* Current system load
A progress indicator shows processing status in the Genius source table.
## Content Management
### Viewing Processed Content
After processing completes:
1. **Click** the three-dot menu next to any source in the table
2. **Select** "View" to see processed content
3. **Review** how your content was transformed into Q\&A format
The processed format shows how agents will understand and access your information during calls.
### Managing Sources
**Edit Sources**: Use the three-dot menu to modify source names or settings
**Delete Sources**: Remove outdated or incorrect content sources
**Add Multiple Sources**: Build comprehensive databases with diverse content types
### Database Management
**Database Settings**: Click the gear icon to modify database name or settings
**Delete Database**: Permanently remove entire databases and all contained sources
**Duplicate Content**: The same source can be added to multiple databases if needed
## Agent Integration
### Connecting to Agents
Genius databases must be explicitly connected to agents through:
**Automations Interface**:
* Select Genius database within automation workflows
* Configure how knowledge is accessed during automated processes
**Agent Builder Interface**:
* Choose Genius database for specific agent configurations
* Set up when and how knowledge is retrieved during calls
### Multiple Database Support
* **Different agents** can use different Genius databases
* **Single agents** can access multiple databases if configured
* **Scope selection** happens during automation or agent setup
## Content Optimization
### Writing for RAG Processing
**Use Natural Language**: Write content as if explaining to a knowledgeable colleague
**Include Context**: Provide background information that helps agents understand when to use specific information
**Ask Questions**: Include common customer questions and comprehensive answers
**Be Specific**: Avoid vague statements that could lead to ambiguous agent responses
### Example Optimization
**Less Effective**:
```
Product A: $50
Product B: $75
Product C: $100
```
**More Effective**:
```
Our product pricing is structured to meet different customer needs:
Product A is our entry-level solution at $50, ideal for small businesses just getting started with our service. It includes basic features and email support.
Product B at $75 represents our most popular package, offering advanced features, phone support, and integration capabilities that most growing businesses require.
Product C at $100 is our enterprise solution with all premium features, dedicated account management, and custom integration support for large organizations.
```
## URL Content Considerations
### Static Content Only
**Important Limitation**: URLs are fetched **once** during setup and are not automatically refreshed or updated.
**Best Practices for URLs**:
* Use stable, long-term content sources
* Avoid frequently changing pages
* Consider downloading and uploading as files for content you control
* Plan to manually update URL sources when content changes significantly
### URL Content Quality
**Choose High-Quality Sources**: Select comprehensive, well-written pages that provide complete information
**Avoid Dynamic Content**: Pages with frequently changing information may become outdated
**Test Accessibility**: Ensure URLs are publicly accessible and not behind authentication
## Safety and Accuracy
### Source Citation
Genius provides **both approaches** for information delivery:
* **Behind-the-scenes processing**: Enhanced agent knowledge without explicit citation
* **Source attribution**: Agents can reference specific sources when appropriate
### Content Grounding
The system is designed to **ground agent responses** in provided source material, reducing hallucinations and ensuring accuracy. However, content quality directly impacts response quality.
### Quality Control
**Review Processed Content**: Always check how your sources were transformed
**Test Agent Responses**: Verify agents provide accurate information from your sources
**Update Regularly**: Remove outdated sources and add current information
**Monitor Performance**: Track how well agents utilize Genius knowledge in real calls
## Expected Results
After successful Genius setup and integration:
**Enhanced Agent Knowledge**:
* Agents provide accurate, company-specific information during calls
* Consistent responses across all agents using the same database
* Reduced need for agent training on factual information
**Improved Call Quality**:
* Faster resolution of customer questions
* More detailed and accurate responses
* Professional handling of complex or specialized inquiries
**Operational Benefits**:
* Centralized knowledge management across all agents
* Easy updates to business information affecting multiple agents
* Scalable knowledge distribution for growing teams
## Limitations
### Current Limitations
* **URL content** is not automatically refreshed
* **Processing time** varies based on content complexity
* **No real-time content updates** for existing sources
### Content Processing Considerations
* **CSV hallucination risk** with complex structured data
* **Processing capacity** may affect upload times during peak usage
* **File size limits** may apply (specific limits not currently published)
Genius is not used to provide prompts or instructions to your Voice Agent. Instead, it is used to provide detailed, unstructured information to callers. For special prompting or instructions, use the Custom Prompt setting in the Agent Builder.
## Troubleshooting
**Agent not using Genius information**
* Verify Genius is connected in [Agent Builder](/agents/settings#genius-tab)
* Check that content has finished processing (status: Complete)
* Test with direct questions that match your content
* Review [Agent Binding](/genius/agent-binding) guide
**Inaccurate or inconsistent answers**
* Review source content for contradictions or outdated info
* Simplify content structure (prefer Q\&A format)
* Remove duplicate or redundant information
* See [Best Practices](/genius/best-practices) for content optimization
**Processing stuck or failed**
* Check file format is supported (PDF, TXT, audio, CSV, URL)
* Verify file size isn't excessive (contact support for limits)
* For URLs, ensure page is publicly accessible
* Try re-uploading the source
**CSV causing hallucinations**
* Convert spreadsheet data to natural language format
* Use simple key-value tables only
* Consider creating text-based Q\&A instead
* See [Best Practices: Structured Data](/genius/best-practices#content-quality)
## See also
* [Genius Sources](/genius/sources) - managing your content
* [Best Practices](/genius/best-practices) - optimizing knowledge bases
* [Agent Binding](/genius/agent-binding) - connecting to agents
* [Agent Settings](/agents/settings#genius-tab) - Genius configuration in agents
* [Glossary: RAG](/resources/glossary#rag) - understanding retrieval augmented generation
