Initialize knowledge folders

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

# Initialize knowledge folders

> Generate a downloadable tree-import template file from an initialization prompt.

Use this route when you are setting up knowledge folders for the first time and want Fini to scaffold a starting folder-and-article structure.

<Info>
  This route returns a downloadable file, not JSON. Save the response body using the returned `Content-Type` and `Content-Disposition` headers, then import that file with [Persist knowledge folders](/en/api-reference/persist-knowledge-folders).
</Info>

## Headers

<ParamField header="Authorization" type="string" required>
  Bearer token containing your Fini workspace API key. Format: `Bearer fini_...` The key needs `write` scope.
</ParamField>

<ParamField header="Content-Type" type="string" required>
  `application/json`
</ParamField>

## Body parameters

<ParamField body="initPrompt" type="string" required>
  Prompt describing the folder-and-article structure you want Fini to scaffold.
</ParamField>

## Response

The response body is a generated tree template file.

<ResponseField name="file" type="binary">
  Downloadable tree-import template file.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="Content-Type" type="string">
  MIME type for the returned file.
</ResponseField>

<ResponseField name="Content-Disposition" type="string">
  Attachment header containing the suggested filename.
</ResponseField>

<RequestExample>
  ~~~bash cURL theme={null}
  curl --request POST \
    --url 'https://api-prod.usefini.com/v2/knowledge/public/tree/initialize' \
    --header 'Authorization: Bearer fini_your_api_key' \
    --header 'Content-Type: application/json' \
    --data '{
      "initPrompt": "Create a support knowledge tree for billing, shipping, and returns."
    }' \
    --output fini-tree-template.csv
  ~~~

  ~~~javascript Node.js theme={null}
  const response = await fetch('https://api-prod.usefini.com/v2/knowledge/public/tree/initialize', {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: {
      Authorization: 'Bearer fini_your_api_key',
      'Content-Type': 'application/json'
    },
    body: JSON.stringify({
    'initPrompt': 'Answer only from approved knowledge and escalate if unsure.'
  }
    )
  });

  const data = await response.json();
  ~~~

  ~~~python Python theme={null}
  import requests

  response = requests.post(
      "https://api-prod.usefini.com/v2/knowledge/public/tree/initialize",
      headers={"Authorization": "Bearer fini_your_api_key", "Content-Type": "application/json"},
      json={
      "initPrompt": "Answer only from approved knowledge and escalate if unsure."
  },
  )

  data = response.json()
  ~~~
</RequestExample>

<ResponseExample>
  ~~~json 200 OK theme={null}
  {
    "folders": [
      {
        "id": "0f4da4fe-b2ae-4787-8c3b-854f36d9eb1b",
        "title": "Billing",
        "description": "Refunds, invoices, and subscription changes.",
        "parentFolderId": null,
        "active": true,
        "botIds": [
          "2a1cf0f0-f35d-46ad-8e61-a15c86b2b312"
        ],
        "createdAt": "2026-07-28T08:55:32.000Z",
        "updatedAt": "2026-07-28T09:10:18.000Z"
      }
    ],
    "articles": [
      {
        "id": "4f5ef695-d03b-4d56-8fef-7f2bd5c17ef3",
        "title": "Refund policy",
        "mainKnowledge": "Customers can request a refund within 30 days of purchase.",
        "agentInstruction": "Use this article for refund eligibility questions.",
        "questions": [
          "Can I get a refund?"
        ],
        "keywords": [
          "refund",
          "billing"
        ],
        "escalation": false,
        "parentFolderId": "0f4da4fe-b2ae-4787-8c3b-854f36d9eb1b",
        "isDraft": false,
        "origin": "API_CREATED",
        "createdAt": "2026-07-28T08:55:32.000Z",
        "updatedAt": "2026-07-28T09:10:18.000Z"
      }
    ]
  }
  ~~~
</ResponseExample>

## Next step

Review the generated file, make any edits you want, then upload it with [Persist knowledge folders](/en/api-reference/persist-knowledge-folders).

## Errors

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="400 Bad Request" icon="circle-exclamation">
    The request body is malformed or `initPrompt` is missing or empty.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="401 Unauthorized" icon="lock">
    The API key is missing, malformed, revoked, or invalid.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="403 Forbidden" icon="shield-halved">
    The API key does not include the `write` scope.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="500 Internal Server Error" icon="triangle-exclamation">
    Fini failed while generating the tree template. Retry once, then narrow the prompt if the failure persists.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


## Related topics

- [Persist knowledge folders](/en/api-reference/persist-knowledge-folders.md)
- [Overview](/en/api-reference/knowledge.md)
- [Move knowledge folder](/en/api-reference/move-knowledge-folder.md)


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