Tips on how to Construct an Clever FAQ Chatbot Utilizing Agentic RAG

AI brokers are actually part of enterprises large and small. From filling varieties at hospitals and checking authorized paperwork to analyzing video footage and dealing with buyer help – now we have AI brokers for all types of duties. Firms typically spend a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars} on hiring buyer help employees who can perceive the wants of a buyer and resolve them primarily based on the corporate’s tips. At the moment, having an clever chatbot to reply FAQs can effectively enhance customer support. On this article, we’ll discover ways to construct an FAQ chatbot that may resolve buyer queries in seconds, utilizing agentic RAG (Retrieval Augmented Technology), LangGraph and ChromaDB.

Temporary on Agentic RAG

RAG is a scorching subject these days. Everyone seems to be speaking about RAG and constructing functions on high of it. RAG helps LLMs to get entry to the real-time knowledge, which makes LLMs extra correct than ever earlier than.  Nevertheless, conventional RAG programs are likely to fail in terms of selecting the most effective retrieval methodology, altering the retrieval workflow, or offering multi-step reasoning. That is the place agentic RAG is available in.

Agentic RAG enhances conventional RAG by incorporating the capabilities of AI brokers into it. With this superpower, RAGs can dynamically change the workflow primarily based on the character of the question, do multi-step reasoning, and multi-step retrieval as nicely. We will even combine instruments into the agentic RAG system, and it will possibly dynamically determine which instrument to make use of when. General, it ends in improved accuracy and makes the system extra environment friendly and scalable.

Right here’s an instance of an agentic RAG workflow.

The picture above denotes the structure of an agentic RAG framework. It reveals how AI brokers, when mixed with RAG, could make selections beneath sure situations. The picture clearly reveals that if a conditional node is there, the agent will determine which edge to decide on primarily based on the context offered.

Additionally Learn: 10 Enterprise Purposes of LLM Brokers

Structure of the Clever FAQ Chatbot

Now we’re going to dive into the structure of the chatbot we’re going to construct. We’ll be exploring the way it works and what its vital elements are.

The next determine reveals the general construction of our system. We can be implementing this utilizing LangGraph, which is an open-source AI brokers framework from LangChain.

The important thing elements of our system embody:

1. LangGraph: A robust open-source AI agent framework that effectively creates complicated, multi-agent, cyclic graph-based brokers. These brokers can preserve the states all through the workflow and may effectively deal with the complicated queries.
2. LLM: An environment friendly and highly effective Giant Language Mannequin that may observe the directions of the person and reply accordingly with the most effective of its data. Right here we can be utilizing OpenAI’s o4-mini, which is a small reasoning mannequin that’s particularly designed for pace, affordability, and power use.
3. Vector Database: A vector database is used to retailer, handle and retrieve vector embeddings that are often the numeric illustration of knowledge. Right here we’re utilizing ChromaDB which is an open supply AI native vector database. It’s designed to empower the programs that rely upon similarity searches, semantic searches, and different duties involving vector knowledge.

Additionally Learn: Tips on how to Construct a Buyer Assist Voice Agent

Fingers-on Implementation on Constructing the Clever FAQ Chatbot

Now, we can be implementing the end-to-end workflow of our chatbot primarily based on the structure that now we have mentioned above. We can be doing it step-by-step with detailed explanations, code, in addition to pattern outputs. So let’s start.

Step 1: Set up Dependencies

We’ll begin by putting in all of the required libraries into our Jupyter pocket book. This contains libraries reminiscent of langchain, langgraph, langchain-openai, langchain-community, chromadb, openai, python-dotenv, pydantic, and pysqlite3.

!pip set up -q langchain langgraph langchain-openai langchain-community chromadb openai python-dotenv pydantic pysqlite3

Step 2: Import Required Libraries

Now we’re able to import all of the remaining libraries that we are going to want for this challenge.

import os
import json
from typing import Checklist, TypedDict, Annotated, Dict
from dotenv import load_dotenv

# Langchain & LangGraph particular imports
from langchain_openai import ChatOpenAI, OpenAIEmbeddings
from langchain_core.prompts import ChatPromptTemplate, MessagesPlaceholder
from pydantic import BaseModel, Subject
from langchain_core.messages import SystemMessage, HumanMessage, AIMessage
from langchain_core.paperwork import Doc
from langchain_community.vectorstores import Chroma
from langgraph.graph import StateGraph, END

Step 3: Set Up the OpenAI API Key

Enter your OpenAI key to set it as an atmosphere variable.

from getpass import getpass
OPENAI_API_KEY = getpass("OpenAI API Key:")
load_dotenv()
os.getenv("OPENAI_API_KEY")

Step 4: Obtain the Dataset

We now have made a pattern FAQ dataset in json format for various departments. We’ll have to obtain it from the drive and unzip it.

!gdown 1j6pdIansfQzKOZSEUinnHd8w6GlkKE6w
!unzip -o /content material/blog_faq_files.zip

Output:

Step 5: Defining the Division Names for Mapping

Now, let’s outline the mapping of the departments in order that our agentic system can perceive which file belongs to which division.

# Outline Division Names (guarantee these match metadata used throughout ingestion)
DEPARTMENTS = [
   "Customer Support",
   "Product Information",
   "Loyalty Program / Rewards"
]
UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT = "Unknown/Different"

FAQ_FILES = {
   "Buyer Assist": "customer_support_faq.json",
   "Product Info": "product_information_faq.json",
   "Loyalty Program / Rewards": "loyalty_program_faq.json",
}

Step 6: Outline the Helper Features

We’ll outline some helper features which can be liable for loading FAQs from the json recordsdata and in addition storing them in ChromaDB.

1. load_faqs(…): It’s a helper operate which masses the FAQ from the json recordsdata and retailer them in a listing known as all_faqs.

def load_faqs(file_paths: Dict[str, str]) -> Dict[str, List[Dict[str, str]]]:
   """Masses QA pairs from JSON recordsdata for every division."""
   all_faqs = {}
   print("Loading FAQs...")
   for dept, file_path in file_paths.objects():
       attempt:
           with open(file_path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
               all_faqs[dept] = json.load(f)
               print(f"  - Loaded {len(all_faqs[dept])} FAQs for {dept}")
       besides FileNotFoundError:
           print(f"  - WARNING: FAQ file not discovered for {dept}: {file_path}. Skipping.")
       besides json.JSONDecodeError:
           print(f"  - ERROR: Couldn't decode JSON for {dept} from {file_path}. Skipping.")
   return all_faqs

2. setup_chroma_vector_store(…): This operate units up the ChromaDB to retailer the vector embeddings. For this, we’ll first outline the Chroma configuration i.e., the listing which is able to comprise the chroma database recordsdata. Then we’ll convert the FAQs to LangChain’s Paperwork. It can comprise metadata and web page content material which is the predefined format for an correct RAG. We will mix query and solutions for higher contextual retrieval or simply embed the reply. We’re maintaining the query as nicely division identify within the metadata.

# ChromaDB Configuration
CHROMA_PERSIST_DIRECTORY = "./chroma_db_store"
CHROMA_COLLECTION_NAME = "Chatbot_faqs"

def setup_chroma_vector_store(
   all_faqs: Dict[str, List[Dict[str, str]]],
   persist_directory: str,
   collection_name: str,
   embedding_model: OpenAIEmbeddings,
) -> Chroma:
   """Creates or masses a Chroma vector retailer with FAQ knowledge and metadata."""
   paperwork = []
   print("nPreparing paperwork for vector retailer...")
   for division, faqs in all_faqs.objects():
       for faq in faqs:
           # Mix Q&A for higher contextual embedding, or simply embed solutions
           # content material = f"Query: {faq['question']}nAnswer: {faq['answer']}"
           content material = faq['answer'] # Typically embedding simply the reply is efficient for FAQ retrieval
           doc = Doc(
               page_content=content material,
               metadata={
                   "division": division,
                   "query": faq['question'] # Maintain query in metadata for potential show
                   }
           )
           paperwork.append(doc)

   print(f"Complete paperwork ready: {len(paperwork)}")

   if not paperwork:
       elevate ValueError("No paperwork discovered so as to add to the vector retailer. Verify FAQ loading.")

   print(f"Initializing ChromaDB vector retailer (Persistence: {persist_directory})...")
   vector_store = Chroma(
       collection_name=collection_name,
       embedding_function=embedding_model,
       persist_directory=persist_directory,
   )
   attempt:
     vector_store = Chroma.from_documents(
             paperwork=paperwork,
             embedding=embedding_model,
             persist_directory=persist_directory,
             collection_name=collection_name
             )
     print(f"Created and populated ChromaDB with {len(paperwork)} paperwork.")
     vector_store.persist() # Guarantee persistence after creation
     print("Vector retailer continued.")
   besides Exception as create_e:
           print(f"FATAL ERROR: Couldn't create Chroma vector retailer: {create_e}")
           elevate create_e

   print("ChromaDB setup full.")
   return vector_store

Step 7: Outline the LangGraph Agent Elements

Let’s now outline our AI agent part which is the primary part of our work stream.

1. State definition: It’s a python class containing the present state of the agent whereas working. It incorporates variables reminiscent of question, sentiment, division.

class AgentState(TypedDict):
   question: str
   sentiment: str
   division: str
   context: str # Retrieved context for RAG
   response: str # Closing response to the person
   error: str | None # To seize potential errors

2. Pydantic mannequin: We now have outlined a pydantic mannequin right here which is able to guarantee a structured LLM output. It incorporates a sentiment which may have three values, “constructive”, “detrimental” and “impartial” and a division identify which can be predicted by the LLM.

class ClassificationResult(BaseModel):
   """Structured output for question classification."""
   sentiment: str = Subject(description="Sentiment of the question (constructive, impartial, detrimental)")
   division: str = Subject(description=f"Most related division from the record: {DEPARTMENTS + [UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT]}. Use '{UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT}' if not sure or not relevant.")

3. Nodes: The next are the node features which is able to deal with every activity one after the other.

• Classify_query_node: It classifies the incoming question into the sentiment in addition to the goal division identify primarily based on the character of the question.
• retrieve_context_node:  It performs the RAG over the vector database and filter the outcomes on the premise of division identify.
• generate_response_node: It generates the ultimate response primarily based on the question and retrieved context from the database.
• Human_escalation_node: If the sentiment is detrimental or the goal division is unknown, it is going to escalate the question to the human person.
• route_query: It determines the subsequent step primarily based on the question and output of the classification node.

# 3. Nodes
def classify_query_node(state: AgentState) -> Dict[str, str]:
   """
   Classifies the person question for sentiment and goal division utilizing an LLM.
   """
   print("--- Classifying Question ---")
   question = state["query"]
   llm = ChatOpenAI(mannequin="o4-mini", api_key=OPENAI_API_KEY) # Use a dependable, cheaper mannequin

   # Put together immediate for classification
   prompt_template = ChatPromptTemplate.from_messages([
       SystemMessage(
           content=f"""You are an expert query classifier for ShopUNow, a retail company.
Analyze the user's query to determine its sentiment and the most relevant department.
The available departments are: {', '.join(DEPARTMENTS)}.
If the query doesn't clearly fit into one of these, or is ambiguous, classify the department as '{UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT}'.
If the query expresses frustration, anger, dissatisfaction, or complains about a problem, classify sentiment as 'negative'.
If the query is asking a question, seeking information, or making a neutral statement, classify sentiment as 'neutral'.
If the query expresses satisfaction, praise, or positive feedback, classify sentiment as 'positive'.
Respond ONLY with the structured JSON output format."""
       ),
       HumanMessage(content=f"User Query: {query}")
   ])

   # LLM Chain with structured output
   classifier_chain = prompt_template | llm.with_structured_output(ClassificationResult)

   attempt:
       consequence: ClassificationResult = classifier_chain.invoke({}) # Cross empty dict as enter appears required now
       print(f"  Classification Outcome: Sentiment="{consequence.sentiment}", Division="{consequence.division}"")
       return {
           "sentiment": consequence.sentiment.decrease(), # Normalize
           "division": consequence.division
           }
   besides Exception as e:
       print(f"  Error throughout classification: {e}")
       return {
           "sentiment": "impartial", # Default on error
           "division": UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT,
           "error": f"Classification failed: {e}"
           }

def retrieve_context_node(state: AgentState) -> Dict[str, str]:
   """
   Retrieves related context from the vector retailer primarily based on the question and division.
   """
   print("--- Retrieving Context ---")
   question = state["query"]
   division = state["department"]

   if not division or division == UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT:
       print("  Skipping retrieval: Division unknown or not relevant.")
       return {"context": "", "error": "Can't retrieve context with no legitimate division."}

   # Initialize embedding mannequin and vector retailer entry
   embedding_model = OpenAIEmbeddings(api_key=OPENAI_API_KEY)
   vector_store = Chroma(
       collection_name=CHROMA_COLLECTION_NAME,
       embedding_function=embedding_model,
       persist_directory=CHROMA_PERSIST_DIRECTORY,
   )
   retriever = vector_store.as_retriever(
       search_type="similarity",
       search_kwargs={
           'okay': 3, # Retrieve high 3 related docs
           'filter': {'division': division} # *** CRITICAL: Filter by division ***
           }
   )

   attempt:
       retrieved_docs = retriever.invoke(question)
       if retrieved_docs:
           context = "nn---nn".be part of([doc.page_content for doc in retrieved_docs])
           print(f"  Retrieved {len(retrieved_docs)} paperwork for division '{division}'.")
           # print(f"  Context Snippet: {context[:200]}...") # Elective: log snippet
           return {"context": context, "error": None}
       else:
           print("  No related paperwork present in vector retailer for this division.")
           return {"context": "", "error": "No related context discovered."}
   besides Exception as e:
       print(f"  Error throughout context retrieval: {e}")
       return {"context": "", "error": f"Retrieval failed: {e}"}

def generate_response_node(state: AgentState) -> Dict[str, str]:
   """
   Generates a response utilizing RAG primarily based on the question and retrieved context.
   """
   print("--- Producing Response (RAG) ---")
   question = state["query"]
   context = state["context"]
   llm = ChatOpenAI(mannequin="o4-mini", api_key=OPENAI_API_KEY) # Can use a extra succesful mannequin for era

   if not context:
       print("  No context offered, producing generic response.")
       # Fallback if retrieval failed however routing determined RAG path anyway
       response_text = "I could not discover particular data associated to your question in our data base. Might you please rephrase or present extra particulars?"
       return {"response": response_text}

   # RAG Immediate
   prompt_template = ChatPromptTemplate.from_messages([
       SystemMessage(
           content=f"""You are a helpful AI Chatbot for ShopUNow. Answer the user's query based *only* on the provided context.
Be concise and directly address the query. If the context doesn't contain the answer, state that clearly.
Do not make up information.
Context:
---
{context}
---"""
       ),
       HumanMessage(content=f"User Query: {query}")
   ])

   RAG_chain = prompt_template | llm

   attempt:
       response = RAG_chain.invoke({})
       response_text = response.content material
       print(f"  Generated RAG Response: {response_text[:200]}...")
       return {"response": response_text}
   besides Exception as e:
       print(f"  Error throughout response era: {e}")
       return {"response": "Sorry, I encountered an error whereas producing the response.", "error": f"Technology failed: {e}"}

def human_escalation_node(state: AgentState) -> Dict[str, str]:
   """
   Offers a message indicating the question can be escalated to a human.
   """
   print("--- Escalating to Human Assist ---")
   purpose = ""
   if state.get("sentiment") == "detrimental":
       purpose = "As a result of nature of your question,"
   elif state.get("division") == UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT:
       purpose = "As your question requires particular consideration,"

   response_text = f"{purpose} I have to escalate this to our human help staff. They'll assessment your request and get again to you shortly. Thanks to your persistence."
   print(f"  Escalation Message: {response_text}")
   return {"response": response_text}

# 4. Conditional Routing Logic
def route_query(state: AgentState) -> str:
   """Determines the subsequent step primarily based on classification outcomes."""
   print("--- Routing Determination ---")
   sentiment = state.get("sentiment", "impartial")
   division = state.get("division", UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT)

   if sentiment == "detrimental" or division == UNKNOWN_DEPARTMENT:
       print(f"  Routing to: human_escalation (Sentiment: {sentiment}, Division: {division})")
       return "human_escalation"
   else:
       print(f"  Routing to: retrieve_context (Sentiment: {sentiment}, Division: {division})")
       return "retrieve_context"

Step 8: Outline the Graph Operate

Let’s construct the operate for the graph and assign the nodes and edges to the graph.

# --- Graph Definition ---

def build_agent_graph(vector_store: Chroma) -> StateGraph:
   """Builds the LangGraph agent."""
   graph = StateGraph(AgentState)

   # Add nodes
   graph.add_node("classify_query", classify_query_node)
   graph.add_node("retrieve_context", retrieve_context_node)
   graph.add_node("generate_response", generate_response_node)
   graph.add_node("human_escalation", human_escalation_node)

   # Set entry level
   graph.set_entry_point("classify_query")

   # Add edges
   graph.add_conditional_edges(
       "classify_query", # Supply node
       route_query,      # Operate to find out the route
       {                 # Mapping: output of route_query -> vacation spot node
           "retrieve_context": "retrieve_context",
           "human_escalation": "human_escalation"
       }
   )
   graph.add_edge("retrieve_context", "generate_response")
   graph.add_edge("generate_response", END)
   graph.add_edge("human_escalation", END)

   # Compile the graph
   # reminiscence = SqliteSaver.from_conn_string(":reminiscence:") # Instance for in-memory persistence
   app = graph.compile() # checkpointer=reminiscence optionally available for stateful conversations
   print("nAgent graph compiled efficiently.")
   return app

Step 9: Provoke Agent Execution

Now, we can be initialising the agent and start executing the workflow.

1. Let’s begin by loading the FAQs.

# 1. Load FAQs
faqs_data = load_faqs(FAQ_FILES)

if not faqs_data:
   print("ERROR: No FAQ knowledge loaded. Exiting.")
   exit()

Output:



2. Arrange the embedding fashions. Right here, we’ll be organising OpenAI embedding fashions for a quicker retrieval.

# 2. Setup Vector Retailer
embedding_model = OpenAIEmbeddings(api_key=OPENAI_API_KEY)
vector_store = setup_chroma_vector_store(
   faqs_data,
   CHROMA_PERSIST_DIRECTORY,
   CHROMA_COLLECTION_NAME,
   embedding_model
)

Output:



Additionally Learn: Tips on how to Select the Proper Embedding for Your RAG Mannequin?

3. Now, construct the agent utilizing the predefined operate, visualizing the agent stream utilizing the mermaid diagram.

# 3. Construct the Agent Graph
agent_app = build_agent_graph(vector_store)

from IPython.show import show, Picture, Markdown

show(Picture(agent_app.get_graph().draw_mermaid_png()))

Output:



Step 10: Testing the Agent

We now have arrived on the final a part of our workflow. Up to now now we have constructed a number of nodes and features. Now’s the time to check our agent and see the output.

1. First let’s outline the take a look at queries.

# Take a look at the Agent
test_queries = [
   "How do I track my order?",
   "What is the return policy?",
   "Tell me about the 'Urban Explorer' jacket materials.",
]

2. Now let’s take a look at the agent.

print("n--- Testing Agent ---")
for question in test_queries:
   print(f"nInput Question: {question}")
   # Outline the enter for the graph invocation
   inputs = {"question": question}
   # attempt:
   # Invoke the graph
   # The config argument is optionally available however helpful for stateful execution if wanted
   # config = {"configurable": {"thread_id": "user_123"}} # Instance config
   final_state = agent_app.invoke(inputs) #, config=config)

   print(f"Closing State Division: {final_state.get('division')}")
   print(f"Closing State Sentiment: {final_state.get('sentiment')}")
   print(f"Agent Response: {final_state.get('response')}")
   if final_state.get('error'):
         print(f"Error encountered: {final_state.get('error')}")

   # besides Exception as e:
   #     print(f"ERROR working agent graph for question '{question}': {e}")
   #     import traceback
   #     traceback.print_exc() # Print detailed traceback for debugging

print("n--- Agent Testing Full ---")

print(“n— Testing Agent —“)

Output:



We will see within the output that our agent is performing nicely. Firstly, it classifies the question after which routes the choice to the retrieval node or the human node. Then, the retrieval half comes it efficiently retrieves the context from the vector database. Within the final, producing the response as wanted. Therefore, now we have made our clever FAQ Chatbot.

You may entry the Colab Pocket book with all of the code right here.

Conclusion

You probably have reached this far, it means you’ve got realized the right way to construct an clever FAQ chatbot utilizing agentic RAG and LangGraph. Right here, we noticed that constructing an clever agent which may purpose and decide, just isn’t that arduous. The agentic chatbot that we constructed is value environment friendly, quick, and is able to absolutely understanding the context of the questions or enter queries. The structure we’ve used right here is absolutely customizable which implies one can edit any node of the agent for his or her explicit use case. With agentic RAG, LangGraph, and ChromaDB, making brokers has by no means been this simple. by no means really easy earlier than. I’m positive what now we have coated on this information has given you the foundational data to construct extra complicated system utilizing these instruments.




Harsh Mishra is an AI/ML Engineer who spends extra time speaking to Giant Language Fashions than precise people. Obsessed with GenAI, NLP, and making machines smarter (in order that they don’t change him simply but). When not optimizing fashions, he’s in all probability optimizing his espresso consumption. 🚀☕