Uploading Files to Assistants

Uploading files to an AI Assistant in Aimogen allows you to give that assistant persistent reference material it can consult across conversations and executions. This is not training and not fine-tuning. Files act as attached context, available to the assistant whenever it is used.

This feature is especially powerful for documentation bots, policy-aware assistants, and internal knowledge helpers.

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What File Uploads Mean for Assistants #

When you upload a file to an assistant:

• the file becomes part of the assistant’s working context
• the assistant can reference it without re-uploading
• the file is available across all usages of that assistant
• workflows and chatbots using the assistant automatically inherit access

The assistant does not “learn” permanently. It reads.

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Where Files Are Uploaded #

Files are managed directly on the assistant.

Path:
Aimogen → AI Assistants → Edit Assistant → Files / Knowledge Section

Files are attached to the assistant itself, not to individual chats or workflows.

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Supported File Types #

Assistants typically support text-based and document-style files, such as:

• plain text files
• documentation exports
• structured text (e.g. markdown)
• reference documents
• policy documents
• product manuals

Binary formats or highly structured proprietary files are not guaranteed to be useful unless converted to readable text.

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How Files Are Used by the Assistant #

Attached files are:

• indexed or made available to the assistant
• searchable or readable by enabled tools (depending on provider)
• referenced implicitly when answering questions

You do not need to paste file contents into prompts.

If the assistant has file access enabled, it can consult those files naturally.

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Files vs Prompts #

Files differ from prompts in important ways:

• prompts guide behavior
• files provide factual reference

You should not place large reference content into instructions. Use files instead.

This keeps prompts short and assistants stable.

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Persistence and Scope #

Files are:

• persistent across sessions
• shared across all uses of the assistant
• not visible to users directly
• not automatically shared with other assistants

If you remove a file, it is no longer available to the assistant immediately.

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Updating Files Safely #

When updating reference material:

• replace or upload a new file
• remove outdated files
• avoid editing assistants mid-conversation if consistency matters

For production systems, consider duplicating the assistant before major file changes.

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Assistants with Multiple Files #

An assistant can have multiple files attached.

Common patterns:

• one file per product
• one file per policy
• split documentation by topic
• separate reference and rules

Smaller, focused files are usually more effective than one massive document.

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File Size and Performance Considerations #

Larger files:

• may increase lookup time
• may increase token usage
• may slow responses slightly

Only attach files the assistant actually needs.

If a file is never referenced, it adds noise, not value.

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Security and Privacy #

Files attached to assistants:

• are sent to the AI provider when accessed
• may contain sensitive information
• are not automatically anonymized

You are responsible for:

• not uploading confidential data unintentionally
• complying with privacy and data protection rules
• understanding provider data handling policies

Assistants do not sandbox file content automatically.

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Files in Chatbots vs OmniBlocks #

When an assistant is used:

• in a chatbot → files support conversational answers
• in OmniBlocks → files support structured transformation steps

In both cases, file access is identical. The difference is how outputs are used.

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What File Uploads Do Not Do #

Uploading files does not:

• fine-tune the model
• permanently train the AI
• guarantee perfect recall
• replace structured workflows
• override persona instructions
• expose files publicly

Files provide context, not certainty.

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Common Mistakes #

• uploading too many unrelated files
• using files instead of prompts for behavior rules
• attaching outdated documentation
• assuming files are “always remembered”
• mixing confidential and public data

Files should support reasoning, not overwhelm it.

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Best Practices #

Attach only relevant files, keep documents focused, update reference material deliberately, and pair files with clear assistant instructions. For complex systems, treat file attachments like documentation dependencies, not memory dumps.

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Summary #

Uploading files to assistants in Aimogen allows you to give AI assistants persistent reference knowledge that can be reused across chatbots, OmniBlocks, and content workflows. Files are not training data; they are contextual resources accessed when needed. Used carefully, file uploads dramatically improve accuracy, consistency, and usefulness of assistants without increasing prompt complexity.