Generative Search (RAG)
Ask natural-language questions across one or more collections and get AI-generated answers grounded in your Weaviate data — all within VS Code.
How It Works
- Select one or more RAG-capable collections (those with a generative module configured)
- Type your question in natural language
- The extension retrieves relevant objects using semantic search
- Retrieved objects are sent to the configured LLM to generate a grounded answer
- Source attribution shows which objects were used
Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Multi-collection support | Select multiple collections as pill badges |
| Top-K control | Choose how many objects to retrieve per collection (3, 5, 10, 20) |
| Query timeout | Adjustable timeout (30s, 60s, 2min, 5min) |
| Markdown toggle | Switch between formatted view and raw markdown source |
| Copy answer | Copy full generated answer to clipboard |
| Source attribution | Context objects display their originating collection |
| Retrieved context | Collapsible view grouped by collection with properties and scores |
| Object inspection | Click 🔭 to open any context object in the Data Explorer |
Requirements
- A Weaviate instance with a generative module configured (e.g.,
generative-openai,generative-cohere) - Collections must have the generative module enabled
- No additional API keys needed in the extension — it uses the server's generative config
Query Controls
Located above the question input box:
| Control | Options | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Collections | Multi-select | Choose which collections to search |
| Top results per collection | 3, 5, 10, 20 | How many objects provide context |
| Query timeout | 30s, 60s, 2min, 5min | Maximum wait time |
Answer Tools
Each generated answer includes:
| Tool | Action |
|---|---|
| 📝 Markdown / Formatted | Toggle between rendered markdown and raw source |
| 📋 Copy | Copy answer to clipboard |
Query Metadata
Below each answer:
- 📚 From: List of queried collections
- ⏱️ Query completed in: Execution time
Retrieved Context
When "Show retrieved context" is enabled:
- Context objects grouped by collection
- First 3 text properties, UUID, and relevance scores (distance/certainty/score)
- Click telescope icon (🔭) to inspect objects in Data Explorer
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
Enter | Send question |
Shift+Enter | New line |
Quick Access
Right-click any collection in the sidebar → "Generative Search" to open the panel with that collection pre-selected. If the panel is already open, right-clicking another collection adds it as a new pill without clearing existing selections.