Chat Modes in AnythingLLM
AnythingLLM offers two ways to chat with your documents: Query mode and Chat mode. Let's understand what each does and how to get the best results.
Query Mode vs Chat Mode
Query Mode:
- Only uses information from your uploaded documents
- Will tell you if it can't find relevant information
- Best for when you need accurate, document-based answers
Chat Mode:
- Uses both your documents and the AI's general knowledge
- More conversational and flexible
- Good for brainstorming and exploring topics
Common Questions
"It keeps saying 'No relevant information found' in Query mode"
This usually means one of three things:
- The information might be in your document but worded differently
- The similarity settings might be too strict
- The document might be too large and split in a way that makes finding information difficult
Quick fixes to try:
- Go to workspace settings → Vector Database Settings
- Change "Document similarity threshold" to "No restriction"
- Try asking your question using words that match how it's written in your document
💡
Instead of asking "How do I start the app?", try using terms from your document like "How do I initialize the application?"
"When should I use Query mode vs Chat mode?"
Use Query mode when:
- You need factual answers from your documents
- You're working with technical documentation
- You want to prevent made-up information
Use Chat mode when:
- You want more conversational responses
- You need additional context or examples
- You're brainstorming ideas
"Why does it work better with some documents than others?"
Documents are processed in chunks, and each chunk is analyzed separately. This means:
- Large documents might need more specific questions
- Technical documents work better with technical questions
Tips for Better Results
- Start with Query mode and "No restriction" similarity if you're not finding information
- Use specific terms from your documents in your questions
- Switch to Chat mode if you need more context or explanation
- Try rephrasing your question if you're not getting good results
⚠️
If you're still not getting good results, check your workspace settings and try adjusting the "Document similarity threshold" between No restriction, Low (≥ .25), Medium (≥ .50), or High (≥ .75) to find what works best for your documents.