> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.knowbase.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.knowbase.ai/api-reference/upload-file.md).

# Upload File

## Upload a document for processing

`POST` `https://api.knowbase.ai/api/v1/files`

Upload a file to your Knowbase library. The file will be automatically processed (embedded) for AI-powered search and chat. Supported types: PDF, DOCX, DOC, TXT, MD, PPTX, PPT, and audio/video files. Maximum size: 100 MB.

#### Headers

| Name            | Type   | Description             |
| --------------- | ------ | ----------------------- |
| Authorization\* | string | `Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN` |

#### Request Body

| Name   | Type                | Description        |
| ------ | ------------------- | ------------------ |
| file\* | multipart/form-data | The file to upload |

#### Responses

**200: OK** File uploaded successfully

```json
{
  "message": "File uploaded successfully",
  "file_id": "a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890",
  "status": "processing"
}
```

**400: Bad Request** Quota exceeded or unsupported file

```json
{
  "error": {
    "code": "QUOTA_EXCEEDED",
    "message": "Upload limit reached (500). Upgrade your plan for more uploads."
  }
}
```

**401: Unauthorized** Invalid or missing token

```json
{
  "error": {
    "code": "INVALID_TOKEN",
    "message": "Invalid API token"
  }
}
```

**429: Too Many Requests** Rate limit exceeded

```json
{
  "error": {
    "code": "RATE_LIMIT",
    "message": "Rate limit exceeded (per minute)"
  }
}
```

### Example

```python
import requests

url = "https://api.knowbase.ai/api/v1/files"
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN"}
files = {"file": ("document.pdf", open("document.pdf", "rb"), "application/pdf")}

response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, files=files)
print(response.json())
```

```javascript
const form = new FormData();
form.append("file", fs.createReadStream("document.pdf"));

const response = await fetch("https://api.knowbase.ai/api/v1/files", {
  method: "POST",
  headers: { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN" },
  body: form
});
const data = await response.json();
console.log(data.file_id);
```

```bash
curl -X POST https://api.knowbase.ai/api/v1/files \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_TOKEN" \
  -F "file=@document.pdf"
```


---

# 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 dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.knowbase.ai/api-reference/upload-file.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

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.