Static FAQ pages are becoming obsolete. Why force your customers to scroll through a 50-page PDF to find a return policy? In this guide, we’ll show you how to turn that document into an expert chat agent.

One of the most powerful features of tochat is the ability to “train” your agent on your own data. This process is technically called RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation), but you don’t need to be a data scientist to use it. If you can drag and drop a file, you can train an AI.

What is RAG? (The Simple Version)

Imagine giving a student a textbook and saying, “You can answer any question on the test, but you have to look it up in this book first.”

That is exactly what RAG does. When you upload a PDF to tochat, we index the text inside it. When a visitor asks a question, your agent scans the document, finds the exact paragraph with the answer, and uses Google Gemini to summarize it politely for the user.

This grounding process significantly reduces ‘hallucinations’ (when AI makes things up) because the agent is forced to stick to the facts you provided.

Step 1: Prepare Your Document

Before uploading, make sure your PDF is readable. The cleaner the data, the smarter the agent.

  1. Text-Based PDFs are best: Avoid scanned images or handwritten notes. If you can highlight the text with your mouse, the AI can read it.
  2. Clear Headings: Use bold titles like “Refund Policy” or “Shipping Rates” so the AI understands the structure.
  3. Keep it focused: Don’t upload an entire novel if you only need the agent to know about your product specs.

Step 2: Upload to tochat

Navigate to your Dashboard and open the agent you want to train.

  1. Click on the “Source” tab in the agent builder.
  2. You will see options for URL, File, and Q&A. Select “Add File”.
  3. Drag and drop your PDF, CSV, or Text file into the upload box.

Once uploaded, you will see a character count appear. Free plans support up to 100,000 characters (roughly 30-40 pages of text). Premium plans are Unlimited.

Step 3: Test It Out

Head over to the “Preview” tab on the right side of the screen. It’s time to quiz your agent.

Ask a specific question found deep inside your document, like “What is the late fee for overdue invoices?”

If the agent answers correctly, congratulations! You have successfully trained your workforce. If it misses the detail, try editing your System Instructions in the “General” tab to say: “Always check the uploaded documents before answering.”

Pro Tip: Combine Sources

You aren’t limited to just one file. You can upload a PDF AND add your website URL. tochat will look at both sources to find the best answer.