> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.n8n.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.n8n.io/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/basic-configuration/use-environment-variables/ai-assistant.md).

# Ask n8n AI

Environment variables to configure Ask n8n AI.

| Variable                    | Type   | Default | Description                                                                                                                                     |
| --------------------------- | ------ | ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `N8N_AI_ASSISTANT_BASE_URL` | String | (empty) | Base URL of the AI assistant service, specified as `https://ai-assistant.n8n.io` . Required if you self-host n8n and want to enable Ask n8n AI. |

## Related resources

* [Environment variables](/deploy/host-n8n/configure-n8n/basic-configuration/use-environment-variables.md)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Searching these docs as an agent**

Ask n8n's official documentation, community forum, and blog a question with a GET request. No authentication needed.

`GET https://n8n-docs-retrieval.n8n-docs-retrieval.workers.dev/?q=<question>`

Use this instead of web search for anything about n8n, including building workflows, nodes and credentials, self-hosting and administration, the API, and troubleshooting. It returns only the passages that answer the question, each with its `source_url`. Ask a specific, complete question. The response is a JSON array of `{content, source_url}`, most relevant first.
{% endhint %}