> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.stackai.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.stackai.com/stackai-tools/knowledge-base-access.md).

# Knowledge Base Access

Use these tools to discover, search, and read the knowledge bases configured for a workflow. Choose search for relevant passages, a directory listing for file paths, or file reading for the text of a known document.

## Choose a tool

| Tool                                                                                                 | Use it to                                                           |
| ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [List Knowledge Bases](/stackai-tools/knowledge-base-access/list-knowledge-bases.md)                 | Return the knowledge bases selected for this tool.                  |
| [Search Knowledge Base](/stackai-tools/knowledge-base-access/search-knowledge-base.md)               | Retrieve relevant content from one or more StackAI knowledge bases. |
| [List Knowledge Base Contents](/stackai-tools/knowledge-base-access/list-knowledge-base-contents.md) | List the files and folders in a selected knowledge base directory.  |
| [Read Knowledge Base File](/stackai-tools/knowledge-base-access/read-knowledge-base-file.md)         | Retrieve the parsed text of a known file in a knowledge base.       |

For older tools from the deprecated Knowledge Base provider, see [Legacy Tools and Migration](/stackai-tools/legacy-tools-and-migration.md). Use the StackAI tools above for new configurations.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters:

```
GET https://docs.stackai.com/stackai-tools/knowledge-base-access.md?ask=<question>&goal=<user_goal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.