> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.open.cx/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect a knowledge source

> Pick the source system where your content already lives and connect it — OpenCX keeps your AI in sync on a schedule.

<Note>
  This page covers **ingestion** — getting your content into the AI's training index so it can ground answers. If you want the AI to **operate** a third-party platform (route tickets, send messages, run AI Actions), those capabilities live under [Integrations](/dashboard/introduction). Vendors that appear in both — **Zendesk**, **Shopify**, **Intercom**, **Front** — link across from each overview page.
</Note>

Knowledge sources land in the AI's vector index. The agent retrieves from them at answer time and cites them in replies. Connect once; the content stays in sync.

<Tip>
  Configure sources at [**AI Training → Data Sources**](https://platform.open.cx/data-sources).
</Tip>

## Connect today

Match the source system first — don't duplicate content just to suit the connector.

| If your content lives in…                     | Use                                                    |
| --------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ |
| A **public help center or website**           | [Website crawler](/knowledge/sources/website/overview) |
| A **Zendesk Help Center**                     | [Zendesk](/knowledge/sources/zendesk/overview)         |
| **Intercom** segments                         | [Intercom](/knowledge/sources/intercom/overview)       |
| A **Front Help Center**                       | [Front](/knowledge/sources/front/overview)             |
| **Confluence** spaces                         | [Confluence](/knowledge/sources/confluence/overview)   |
| A **Notion** workspace                        | [Notion](/knowledge/sources/notion/overview)           |
| A **Shopify** store (pages, blog, products)   | [Shopify](/knowledge/sources/shopify/overview)         |
| **GitBook** documentation                     | [GitBook](/knowledge/sources/gitbook/overview)         |
| **Freshdesk** Solution articles               | [Freshdesk](/knowledge/sources/freshdesk/overview)     |
| You want to **author directly inside OpenCX** | [Help Center](/help-center/overview)                   |
| You need a **specific Q\&A** or a **rule**    | [AI Instructions](/ai-instructions/overview)           |

Not on the list? Browse [Additional sources](/knowledge/additional-sources/google-docs/overview) — every entry has a **Request** button that goes straight to our roadmap queue.

<Warning>
  Don't double up on the same content. If you sync a Zendesk Help Center through the Zendesk source, don't also run the website crawler against `help.yourcompany.com` — you'll index every article twice and the AI will surface duplicates.
</Warning>

## How a source gets connected

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Data Sources">
    Sign in to your [OpenCX dashboard](https://platform.open.cx/data-sources) and go to **AI Training → Data Sources**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Pick the source">
    Click **Add source** and select the connector. Each source has its own credential fields — the **Connect** page for each vendor mirrors the dashboard form label-for-label.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for the first sync">
    The first run pulls everything historical. It takes minutes to hours depending on volume. Progress shows on the source row.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify in AI Instructions">
    Open [**AI Training → AI Instructions**](https://platform.open.cx/ai-instructions). Synced content appears grouped by source. Check a known article — it should show with the source name and the expected visibility (eye icon).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What to expect after connecting

|                           | Value                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Sync cadence**          | Most sources poll every few hours. The website crawler runs on an interval you set (default 7 days, minimum 24 hours). Trigger a manual sync from the source row anytime.                |
| **Visibility derivation** | Every item is tagged **public** or **internal** from the source system's own signals (drafts, user segments, space type, publish status). Rules per source are on each **Connect** page. |
| **Index scope**           | One knowledge index per OpenCX org. Separate knowledge pools mean separate orgs — flag it with support if you're hitting this.                                                           |
| **Deletion**              | Removing a source deletes the synced items from the index. The content in the source system is untouched. Re-adding re-pulls everything.                                                 |

***

## Related Documentation

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="AI Instructions" icon="sliders" href="/ai-instructions/overview">
    Rules, Q\&A pairs, and AI persona edited directly in OpenCX.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Help Center" icon="book-open" href="/help-center/overview">
    Author customer-facing articles that also train the AI.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Additional sources" icon="layer-group" href="/knowledge/additional-sources/google-docs/overview">
    Don't see your tool? Browse and request it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Agent Knowledge overview" icon="book" href="/knowledge/introduction">
    The three ways OpenCX learns.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>