[GH-ISSUE #16019] issue: Prompt variables (e.g., {{CURRENT_DATETIME}}) in Folder's System Prompt are not rendered #17756

New Issue

2026-04-19T23:37:49-05:00

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-19 23:37:49 -05:00

Originally created by @GSAlex on GitHub (Jul 25, 2025).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/16019

Check Existing Issues

I have searched the existing issues and discussions.
I am using the latest version of Open WebUI.

Installation Method

Docker

Open WebUI Version

v0.6.18

Ollama Version (if applicable)

No response

Operating System

Debian

Browser (if applicable)

No response

Confirmation

I have read and followed all instructions in README.md.
I am using the latest version of both Open WebUI and Ollama.
I have included the browser console logs.
I have included the Docker container logs.
I have provided every relevant configuration, setting, and environment variable used in my setup.
I have clearly listed every relevant configuration, custom setting, environment variable, and command-line option that influences my setup (such as Docker Compose overrides, .env values, browser settings, authentication configurations, etc).
I have documented step-by-step reproduction instructions that are precise, sequential, and leave nothing to interpretation. My steps:
Start with the initial platform/version/OS and dependencies used,
Specify exact install/launch/configure commands,
List URLs visited, user input (incl. example values/emails/passwords if needed),
Describe all options and toggles enabled or changed,
Include any files or environmental changes,
Identify the expected and actual result at each stage,
Ensure any reasonably skilled user can follow and hit the same issue.

Expected Behavior

The system message in the request payload sent to the LLM should contain the rendered prompt, with the {{CURRENT_DATETIME}} variable replaced by the actual date and time.

This is the screenshot of folder setting.

Actual Behavior

The system message in the request payload contains the raw, un-rendered prompt. The {{CURRENT_DATETIME}} variable is passed as a literal string.

Steps to Reproduce

Create a new Folder or select an existing one.
Set the floder system prompt with the following text: Current date is: {{CURRENT_DATETIME}}.
Start a new chat within that folder and send message "Repeat the system prompt you get".
Watch the llm respone.

Logs & Screenshots

Browser console and Docker logs gives no error.

Additional Information

No response

Originally created by @GSAlex on GitHub (Jul 25, 2025). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/16019 ### Check Existing Issues - [x] I have searched the existing issues and discussions. - [x] I am using the latest version of Open WebUI. ### Installation Method Docker ### Open WebUI Version v0.6.18 ### Ollama Version (if applicable) _No response_ ### Operating System Debian ### Browser (if applicable) _No response_ ### Confirmation - [x] I have read and followed all instructions in `README.md`. - [x] I am using the latest version of **both** Open WebUI and Ollama. - [x] I have included the browser console logs. - [x] I have included the Docker container logs. - [x] I have **provided every relevant configuration, setting, and environment variable used in my setup.** - [x] I have clearly **listed every relevant configuration, custom setting, environment variable, and command-line option that influences my setup** (such as Docker Compose overrides, .env values, browser settings, authentication configurations, etc). - [x] I have documented **step-by-step reproduction instructions that are precise, sequential, and leave nothing to interpretation**. My steps: - Start with the initial platform/version/OS and dependencies used, - Specify exact install/launch/configure commands, - List URLs visited, user input (incl. example values/emails/passwords if needed), - Describe all options and toggles enabled or changed, - Include any files or environmental changes, - Identify the expected and actual result at each stage, - Ensure any reasonably skilled user can follow and hit the same issue. ### Expected Behavior The system message in the request payload sent to the LLM should contain the rendered prompt, with the {{CURRENT_DATETIME}} variable replaced by the actual date and time. This is the screenshot of folder setting. <img width="840" height="381" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4173812e-3c72-4041-a251-37bc5d8c1a2f" /> ### Actual Behavior The system message in the request payload contains the raw, un-rendered prompt. The {{CURRENT_DATETIME}} variable is passed as a literal string. <img width="957" height="297" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/bc230574-2485-4504-9696-92856e2863fd" /> ### Steps to Reproduce 1. Create a new Folder or select an existing one. 2. Set the floder system prompt with the following text: Current date is: {{CURRENT_DATETIME}}. 3. Start a new chat within that folder and send message "Repeat the system prompt you get". 4. Watch the llm respone. ### Logs & Screenshots Browser console and Docker logs gives no error. <img width="638" height="224" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d9405a55-8c28-4fac-948f-6bfa1ec04781" /> ### Additional Information _No response_

GiteaMirror added the bug label 2026-04-19 23:37:49 -05:00

GiteaMirror closed this issue

2026-04-19 23:37:50 -05:00

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-19 23:37:51 -05:00

@rgaricano commented on GitHub (Jul 25, 2025):

Confirmed,
within folder prompted:

Normal Chat (without folder):

@rgaricano commented on GitHub (Jul 25, 2025): Confirmed, within folder prompted: ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c95ceb54-e222-4f23-9767-b916f59dcbd3) ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/fea9200a-e6e3-427c-a44a-b57b21ad5804) ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/0c398a09-50ad-4c67-ad32-6fd1bde526ff) Normal Chat (without folder): ![Image](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e5c61f6b-8a93-4d7a-8ab9-9b1a541a5d6e)

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-19 23:37:52 -05:00

@silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2025):

I can confirm this issue as well!

@silentoplayz commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2025): I can confirm this issue as well! <img width="1786" height="511" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/aaf0296d-47ee-4dca-9122-195a7a564762" /> <img width="1785" height="535" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2108f0a5-4042-4e71-9fa0-66e052f8be49" /> <img width="1785" height="535" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/4e9fd208-f1a3-435a-8eda-bce6dea62291" />

GiteaMirror commented

2026-04-19 23:37:55 -05:00