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AutoRAG

AutoRAG enables intelligent search and retrieval from the knowledge graphs built by the Importer and AutoGraph

Overview

AutoRAG provides intelligent search and retrieval from the knowledge graphs built by the Importer and AutoGraph. Its search methods rely on the specific structure these services create, with entities, relations, and community summaries, so they cannot run against an arbitrary graph of your own. AutoRAG offers multiple search methods optimized for different query types, from fast instant answers to thorough multi-step research, plus a Custom Retriever that can additionally search any collection in the database using search logic you define yourself.

AutoRAG was previously called the Retriever service. The former name still appears in the API surface, for example in the graphragretriever deployment endpoint and in the /graphrag/retriever/ URL prefix of the query API, and in AutoGraph Studio, which calls the services it deploys retrievers.

When to use AutoRAG

AutoRAG serves two usage patterns depending on how your knowledge graph was built.

With the Importer (standalone)

When using the Importer directly to build a single knowledge graph, you query it with the query API, which gives access to all search methods and parameters.

The standalone Importer workflow is not available in the web interface. AutoGraph Studio can only query Context Graphs that belong to an AutoGraph project.

With AutoGraph (partitioned)

When AutoGraph manages your document pipeline, it builds partitioned knowledge graphs with domain-aware RAG strategies. AutoRAG queries across these partitions using partition_ids to target specific domains. AutoGraph’s two-stage retrieval pattern first identifies relevant partitions, then performs deep search within them.

Each partition is built either as VectorRAG or as FullGraphRAG, and that choice determines which search methods you can run against it. See VectorRAG and FullGraphRAG partitions.

For details on how partitions are created and mapped, see the Importer AutoGraph Integration page.

Search methods

MethodBest forLatency
Unified (Instant Search)Fast answers with document referencesLow
Deep SearchThorough, multi-step researchHigher
Global SearchThemes, patterns, high-level insightsMedium
Local SearchSpecific entities and relationshipsLow
Custom RetrieverDomain-specific search on any collectionVaries

See Search Methods for a full comparison and guidance on choosing the right method.

Prerequisites

Before using AutoRAG, you need:

  1. A project with imported data. If you are using the Importer standalone, follow the Importer Setup. If you are using AutoGraph, follow the AutoGraph Setup.

  2. An LLM provider configured for AutoRAG. See LLM Configuration to set up Triton Inference Server or any OpenAI-compatible API.

Installation

To install and start AutoRAG, use the following endpoint:

POST https://<EXTERNAL_ENDPOINT>:8529/_platform/acp/v1/graphragretriever

For detailed instructions on installing, monitoring, and managing services, see The Arango Control Plane (ACP) service.

Getting Started

  1. Configure your LLM provider: Choose and configure either Triton or OpenAI-compatible APIs.
  2. Understand search methods: Learn about Instant, Deep, Global, Local, and Custom search.
  3. Execute queries: Start querying your knowledge graph.

Additional resources:

API Reference

For detailed API documentation, see the GraphRAG Retrievers API Reference .