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[GH-ISSUE #20654] issue: Built-in tools (search_chats, search_notes) not available to external OpenAI models #73854

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opened 2026-05-13 06:25:05 -05:00 by GiteaMirror · 3 comments
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-13 06:25:05 -05:00
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Originally created by @EmminiX on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/20654

Check Existing Issues

  • I have searched for any existing and/or related issues.
  • I have searched for any existing and/or related discussions.
  • I have also searched in the CLOSED issues AND CLOSED discussions and found no related items (your issue might already be addressed on the development branch!).
  • I am using the latest version of Open WebUI.

Installation Method

Docker

Open WebUI Version

v0.7.2

Ollama Version (if applicable)

N/A - Using external OpenAI API

Operating System

Ubuntu/Debian (VPS)

Browser (if applicable)

Chrome (latest) / Safari / Comet

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

According to the v0.7.0 release notes: "Users can now ask the model to find relevant context from their notes, past chats, and
channel messages."

Models should be able to search through chat history, notes, and channels using built-in tools like search_chats, search_notes, and
search_channels.

Actual Behavior

When using external OpenAI models (gpt-4.1, gpt-4.1-mini) and asking:

  • "Can you access previous chats?"
  • "Use the search_chats tool to find my previous conversations"

The model responds: "I cannot access previous chats, notes, or channels… I don't have access to your notes, files, or channel data."

The built-in tools are not being exposed to external OpenAI models.

Steps to Reproduce

Steps to Reproduce:

  1. Fresh Open WebUI v0.7.2 Docker deployment
  2. Configure external OpenAI API connection (OPENAI_API_BASE_URL=https://api.openai.com/v1)
  3. Add OpenAI API key
  4. Enable Notes, Channels, and Memories features in Admin Panel
  5. Select gpt-4.1-mini model (verify builtin_tools: true in model capabilities)
  6. Start a new chat
  7. Ask: "Use the search_chats tool to find my previous conversations"
  8. Observe: Model says it doesn't have access to the tool

Logs & Screenshots

No errors in Docker logs. Feature simply doesn't activate for external models.

Image Image

Additional Information

Investigation findings:

  • Built-in tools exist in /app/backend/open_webui/tools/builtin.py
  • Tools should auto-activate with native function calling
  • Model has builtin_tools: true capability enabled
  • Tested with multiple OpenAI models (gpt-4.1, gpt-4.1-mini)
Originally created by @EmminiX on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/20654 ### Check Existing Issues - [x] I have searched for any existing and/or related issues. - [x] I have searched for any existing and/or related discussions. - [x] I have also searched in the CLOSED issues AND CLOSED discussions and found no related items (your issue might already be addressed on the development branch!). - [x] I am using the latest version of Open WebUI. ### Installation Method Docker ### Open WebUI Version v0.7.2 ### Ollama Version (if applicable) N/A - Using external OpenAI API ### Operating System Ubuntu/Debian (VPS) ### Browser (if applicable) Chrome (latest) / Safari / Comet ### 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 According to the v0.7.0 release notes: "Users can now ask the model to find relevant context from their notes, past chats, and channel messages." Models should be able to search through chat history, notes, and channels using built-in tools like search_chats, search_notes, and search_channels. ### Actual Behavior When using external OpenAI models (gpt-4.1, gpt-4.1-mini) and asking: - "Can you access previous chats?" - "Use the search_chats tool to find my previous conversations" The model responds: "I cannot access previous chats, notes, or channels… I don't have access to your notes, files, or channel data." The built-in tools are not being exposed to external OpenAI models. ### Steps to Reproduce Steps to Reproduce: 1. Fresh Open WebUI v0.7.2 Docker deployment 2. Configure external OpenAI API connection (OPENAI_API_BASE_URL=https://api.openai.com/v1) 3. Add OpenAI API key 4. Enable Notes, Channels, and Memories features in Admin Panel 5. Select gpt-4.1-mini model (verify builtin_tools: true in model capabilities) 6. Start a new chat 7. Ask: "Use the search_chats tool to find my previous conversations" 8. Observe: Model says it doesn't have access to the tool ### Logs & Screenshots No errors in Docker logs. Feature simply doesn't activate for external models. <img width="1431" height="415" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/dca0691d-4838-4406-b9f1-229b6a060368" /> <img width="1441" height="393" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/18b6cfe2-4748-45f2-a6ee-802e1669a894" /> ### Additional Information Investigation findings: - Built-in tools exist in /app/backend/open_webui/tools/builtin.py - Tools should auto-activate with native function calling - Model has builtin_tools: true capability enabled - Tested with multiple OpenAI models (gpt-4.1, gpt-4.1-mini)
GiteaMirror added the bug label 2026-05-13 06:25:05 -05:00
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-13 06:25:07 -05:00
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@owui-terminator[bot] commented on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026):

🔍 Similar Issues Found

I found some existing issues that might be related to this one. Please check if any of these are duplicates or contain helpful solutions:

  1. #20641 issue: Web Search and Builtin Tools permissions break search
    by HenkieTenkie62 • Jan 13, 2026 • bug

  2. #20549 issue: Native tools are injected when models are used over the openwebui API.
    by LysanderdeJong • Jan 10, 2026 • bug

  3. #20595 issue: "search_web" tool executed even when "Web Search" control disabled
    by SlavikCA • Jan 11, 2026 • bug

  4. #20443 Security: Missing Tool Access Control in /api/chat/completions - API bypasses UI restrictions
    by chayaziv • Jan 07, 2026 • bug

💡 Tips:

  • If this is a duplicate, please consider closing this issue and adding any additional details to the existing one
  • If you found a solution in any of these issues, please share it here to help others

This comment was generated automatically by a bot. Please react with a 👍 if this comment was helpful, or a 👎 if it was not.

<!-- gh-comment-id:3747417806 --> @owui-terminator[bot] commented on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026): 🔍 **Similar Issues Found** I found some existing issues that might be related to this one. Please check if any of these are duplicates or contain helpful solutions: 1. [#20641](https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/20641) **issue: Web Search and Builtin Tools permissions break search** *by HenkieTenkie62 • Jan 13, 2026 • `bug`* 2. [#20549](https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/20549) **issue: Native tools are injected when models are used over the openwebui API.** *by LysanderdeJong • Jan 10, 2026 • `bug`* 3. [#20595](https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/20595) **issue: "search_web" tool executed even when "Web Search" control disabled** *by SlavikCA • Jan 11, 2026 • `bug`* 4. [#20443](https://github.com/open-webui/open-webui/issues/20443) **Security: Missing Tool Access Control in /api/chat/completions - API bypasses UI restrictions** *by chayaziv • Jan 07, 2026 • `bug`* --- 💡 **Tips:** - If this is a duplicate, please consider closing this issue and adding any additional details to the existing one - If you found a solution in any of these issues, please share it here to help others *This comment was generated automatically by a bot.* Please react with a 👍 if this comment was helpful, or a 👎 if it was not.
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-13 06:25:08 -05:00
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@Classic298 commented on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026):

Cannot reproduce works for me here. Did you enable native tool calling?

<!-- gh-comment-id:3748121123 --> @Classic298 commented on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026): Cannot reproduce works for me here. Did you enable native tool calling?
GiteaMirror commented 2026-05-13 06:25:08 -05:00
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@EmminiX commented on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026):

Ah, that was it! Thank you.

I honestly spent a good amount of time researching why the models couldn't access the chat context, but I completely missed the "Native Tool Calling" toggle. My bad for the false alarm/noise, and thanks for pointing me in the right direction!

<!-- gh-comment-id:3748943038 --> @EmminiX commented on GitHub (Jan 14, 2026): Ah, that was it! Thank you. I honestly spent a good amount of time researching why the models couldn't access the chat context, but I completely missed the "Native Tool Calling" toggle. My bad for the false alarm/noise, and thanks for pointing me in the right direction!
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Reference: github-starred/open-webui#73854
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