Building a knowledge source

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In IBM watsonx Orchestrate, a knowledge source is a centralized repository of structured and unstructured enterprise data that agents query to perform tasks autonomously. To build a knowledge source, you must add existing relevant knowledge sources to the agent such as documents, and data sources. This integration enables agents to retrieve contextually accurate information, make informed decisions, and automate workflows at scale. A well-structured knowledge source enhances agent performance, reduces manual effort, and supports intelligent, enterprise-grade automation.

To learn more about adding knowledge to agents, see Adding knowledge to agents.

Note:

Knowledge does not distinguish between draft and live environments. Any updates that you make to an existing knowledge base immediately affect both draft and live agents.

Reusable knowledge sources

A reusable knowledge source is created independently of any agent and can be linked to multiple agents. This promotes centralized knowledge management, reduces duplication, and ensures consistency across agent experiences.

Important:

You can link each agent to only one knowledge source at a time.

Creating a reusable knowledge source

Creating a knowledge source allows teams to maintain and update content in one place while enabling agents to access accurate, context-rich information.

To create a reusable knowledge source:

  1. From the main menu, click Build.

  2. In the Build agents and tools page, go to All knowledge.

  3. Click Create knowledge.

  4. Follow the steps in Selecting and configuring a knowledge source to connect to a knowledge source.

Selecting and configuring a knowledge source

To set up a knowledge source in watsonx Orchestrate, begin by selecting a content repository that serves as the source of information for your agent. This knowledge source enables the agent to retrieve relevant data and respond accurately during task execution.

To set up a knowledge source:

  1. Select a knowledge source

Choose a knowledge source from the list of available repositories to configure the knowledge source. Learn more about creating a knowledge source.

  1. Provide connection and index details

Enter the required connection and indexing information based on the selected repository type. For detailed setup instructions, see

  1. Define knowledge source metadata

Once the repository connection is configured, proceed to the Knowledge details page. Provide a knowledge source Name and Description that reflects the content and purpose of the knowledge source. This helps agents determine when to run the knowledge during task execution.

Associating a knowledge source with an agent

You can associate a knowledge source with an agent in two ways:

  1. Create a new knowledge source

  2. Use an existing (prebuilt) knowledge source

Creating a new knowledge source

You can create a new knowledge source directly from the agent configuration page to tailor content that are specific for your agent. You can select sources from external repositories or upload files to ensure that the agent has access to relevant and up-to-date information.

To create and link to a new knowledge source directly from the agent configuration page:

  1. Go to the agent configuration page.

  2. Go to Knowledge > Add source.

  3. Click New knowledge to select a source from external repositories or upload a file.

  4. Follow the steps in Selecting and configuring a knowledge source to connect to a knowledge source.

If a knowledge source is already associated with the agent, click Replace source to link to a different knowledge source.

Using an existing knowledge source

Instead of creating a new knowledge source, you can attach a prebuilt knowledge source to your agent. This promotes reuse, consistency, and faster setup by resuing an existing curated content.

To attach a prebuilt knowledge source to an agent:

  1. Go to the agent configuration page.

  2. Navigate to Knowledge > Add source.

  3. Click Existing knowledge to view available knowledge sources.

  4. Select the required knowledge source and click Add knowledge.

Editing a knowledge source

Once a knowledge source is created and is linked to an agent, it might need updates or customization to reflect evolving business needs or content changes. watsonx Orchestrate provides flexible options to edit both agent-linked and prebuilt knowledge sources. Whether you are refining metadata, updating sources, or adjusting settings, these tools can ensure that your agents continue to operate with accurate and relevant information.

Editing a knowledge source linked to an agent

In watsonx Orchestrate, you can edit the linked knowledge source directly from the agent configuration page, and can ensure that the agent continues to access accurate and relevant information.

To modify a knowledge source that is already connected to an agent:

  1. Go to the agent configuration page.

  2. Navigate to Knowledge.

  3. Click the overflow menu next to the connected knowledge source.

  4. Choose Edit details on the knowledge tile to see the Edit knowledge settings.

  5. Click Edit knowledge settings to customize the knowledge source settings based on your requirements. Learn how to customize your knowledge source.

  6. Click Save.

Editing a prebuilt knowledge source

You can also edit the knowledge source from the list of pre-existing knowledge source. To edit the knowledge source from the pre-existing knowledge source, perform the following steps:

  1. From the main menu, click Build.

  2. In the Build agents and tools page, go to All knowledge.

  3. Enter keywords in the search bar to find the knowledge source you need.

  4. Click the vertical ellipsis (⋮) next to the knowledge source and select Edit details.

  5. Click Edit knowledge settings to customize the knowledge source settings based on your requirements. Learn how to customize your knowledge source.

  6. Click Save.

Deleting a knowledge source

Deleting a knowledge source is a permanent action that removes the selected knowledge source either from an individual agent or from the list of prebuilt knowledge sources.

Deleting a knowledge source that is linked to an agent

If a knowledge source is no longer needed for a specific agent, you can remove it directly from the agent configuration page. It helps to maintain a clean and relevant knowledge setup for the agent.

To delete a knowledge source that is connected to an agent:

  1. Go to the agent configuration page.

  2. Navigate to Knowledge.

  3. Click the overflow menu next to the connected knowledge source.

  4. Click Remove.

Deleting a prebuilt knowledge source

You can also delete a knowledge source from the list of prebuilt knowledge sources. This action will remove the knowledge source from all associated agents and make it unavailable for future use.

To delete a knowledge source from the list of prebuilt agents:

  1. From the main menu, click Build.

  2. In the Build agents and tools page, go to All knowledge.

  3. Search for the knowledge source based on your need.

  4. Click the vertical ellipsis (⋮) next to the selected knowledge source.

  5. Click Delete.

Tip:

Deleting a prebuilt knowledge source might affect system functionality or impact other users. You can not undo the action.

Learn more about adding knowledge to agents.