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+# First Time Setup (Beginner Guide)
+
+This guide is for first-time users. You do NOT need to know programming.
+By the end, you will:
+- chat with an AI
+- (optional) chat with your own documents
+
+## What you need
+- A computer
+- Open WebUI open in your browser
+- (Optional) a folder with a few `.txt` or `.pdf` files
+
+> During first use, you may be asked to create an account or sign in.
+> This is normal and depends on how Open WebUI is configured.
+> Just follow the on-screen steps and return to this guide afterward.
+
+---
+
+# Part 0 — Make sure Open WebUI has access to an AI model
+
+Before chatting, Open WebUI must be connected to an AI model (the “AI brain”).
+
+If you already see model names in the interface, you can skip this section.
+
+If you do **not** see any models:
+- Open WebUI is running
+- but it is not connected to an AI provider yet
+
+Most setups use one of these:
+- a local model runner (for example, a local installation)
+- an API key from a hosted AI provider
+
+Once a model is connected and visible in the UI, continue below.
+
+---
+
+# Part A — Make sure basic chat works
+
+## Step 1: Open Open WebUI
+Open the Open WebUI page in your browser.
+
+✅ You should see a chat screen with a message box.
+
+If you cannot open the page:
+- the app is not running yet, or
+- the address (URL) is incorrect.
+
+---
+
+## Step 2: Choose a model
+Look for a model selector (usually a dropdown or button near the chat area).
+
+### Recommended for beginners
+If you are unsure which model to choose:
+- select any free or local model that is already available
+- or choose the first model marked as ready or installed
+
+This choice is only to confirm that chat works.
+You can change models later without breaking anything.
+
+✅ You should be able to select a model name.
+
+If no models appear:
+- return to **Part 0** and connect an AI provider first.
+
+---
+
+## Step 3: Send a test message
+Type:
+`Say "OK" and nothing else.`
+
+✅ If the AI replies with `OK`, basic chat works.
+
+---
+
+# Part B — Optional: Chat with your own documents
+
+This feature is sometimes called “RAG”.
+You do not need to understand this term.
+
+It simply means: Open WebUI can search your documents and use them while answering.
+
+---
+
+## Step 4: Create a small test folder (recommended)
+On your computer, create a folder named:
+`webui-test-docs`
+
+Inside it, create a file named `hello.txt` with this text:
+`My dog’s name is Luna.`
+
+This makes testing simple and predictable.
+
+---
+
+## Step 5: Add the folder to Knowledge
+In Open WebUI, open the **Knowledge** section (usually in the left sidebar).
+
+In the sidebar:
+- Click **Workspace**
+- Then **Knowledge**
+- Click **+ New Knowledge**
+- Enter a name and description
+- Click **Create**
+
+Open the knowledge collection you just created.
+
+Then:
+- Click the **+** button (usually in the upper-right area)
+- Choose **Upload directory**
+- Select your `webui-test-docs` folder
+
+> If the layout looks different, look for buttons labeled “Knowledge”, “New Knowledge”, or “Upload”.
+
+IMPORTANT:
+- Stay on the page until the upload finishes
+- Do NOT refresh or navigate away early
+- The first upload may take up to ~90 seconds, even for small folders
+
+If nothing appears after waiting:
+- Try refreshing the Knowledge page once
+- If the folder upload still does not start, you can manually drag individual files into the Knowledge collection
+
+✅ When finished, you should see your file listed in the collection.
+
+---
+
+## Step 6: Test that document search works
+Return to chat and ask:
+`What is my dog’s name? Use my documents only.`
+
+✅ The correct answer is: `Luna`
+
+If the answer is incorrect:
+- the documents may not be indexed yet, or
+- document search is not enabled in that chat session
+
+---
+
+# If something doesn’t work
+
+## Problem: “I can chat, but my documents are ignored”
+Try this:
+- Ask a question that ONLY the document can answer
+- Confirm your files appear in the Knowledge collection
+- Refresh the Knowledge page after the upload completes
+
+---
+
+## Problem: “I uploaded files but I don’t see them”
+Most common causes:
+- the upload was interrupted
+- the folder was empty
+- the app cannot access the folder (permissions or wrong path)
+
+---
+
+# When asking for help
+
+If you get stuck and decide to ask for help, you’re not doing anything wrong.
+Sharing a few details upfront makes it much easier for others to help you quickly.
+
+When opening an issue or asking for support, try to include:
+
+- how you installed Open WebUI (for example: Docker or another method)
+- the steps you followed, in your own words
+- what you expected to happen
+- what actually happened instead
+- any relevant logs from startup or from when you uploaded documents
+
+Even partial information is okay.
+The goal is not to be perfect — just to help others understand your situation.