Summary
Create a chatbot from the HolderChat dashboard by starting an empty bot, adding knowledge sources, and rebuilding. This replaces the old /create form flow. When status is Active, you can test and embed the widget.
Prerequisites
- HolderChat account (logged in)
- At least one knowledge source: website URL, document file, or extern JSON API
Step-by-step
1. Open Dashboard
- Log in at holderchat.com
- Go to Dashboard (
/dashboard)
2. Create empty chatbot
- If you have no bots, click Create Your First Chatbot
- If you already have bots, use the create action on the dashboard
- The system creates an empty bot and opens Edit Chatbot (
/edit-chat?id=...)
3. Add knowledge sources
- In the left sidebar, open Knowledge Sources
- Click Add Website, Add Extern, or Upload File
- For websites: enter URL, review the menu preview, start parsing
- For files: upload PDF, DOCX, TXT, MD, XLSX, or PPTX
- Save your resource
See /documentation/knowledge-sources/ for details.
4. Rebuild the bot
- After adding or changing sources, a yellow Changes detected banner appears
- Click Rebuild Bot
- Wait until status shows Active (may take several minutes)
5. Customize (optional)
- Open Bot Behavior & Messages for name and welcome text
- Open Company Information for contact details
- Click Save Changes (no rebuild needed for message-only changes)
6. Test and deploy
- Click Test Chatbot or go to
/test-chatbot?token=... - Click Get Widget Code and embed on your site
Status during creation
| Status | Meaning | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Pending | Waiting to start | Wait |
| Processing / Parsed | Content being analyzed | Wait on edit page |
| Building | Knowledge base building | Wait (final step) |
| Active | Ready to use | Test and embed |
| Error | Something failed | See troubleshooting doc |
What triggers a rebuild
| Action | Rebuild needed? |
|---|---|
| Add/remove website or file source | Yes |
| Change Additional Context or Context Sources | Yes |
| Change bot name or welcome message | No |
| Change avatar or company info | No |
Limitations
- Empty bots cannot answer questions until knowledge is added and rebuild completes
- Website parsing during beta may cap page count
- Connector-created bots start with WordPress content only (add dashboard sources separately if needed)
Troubleshooting
Symptom: Rebuild button is disabled
Cause: Bot status is not Active or Created yet.
Fix: Wait until initial processing finishes.
Symptom: Bot gives generic or empty answers
Cause: No knowledge sources or rebuild not completed.
Fix: Add sources, click Rebuild Bot, wait for Active.
Symptom: I expected a /create page
Cause: The standalone create form was replaced by dashboard flow.
Fix: Use Create Your First Chatbot on Dashboard.