n8n Community Node: Gemini File Search Store

A user-friendly node package that brings Google Gemini File Search into your n8n workflows. It lets you create and manage a File Search Store, upload documents, and ask questions with grounded answers and citations. It also ships a dedicated Tool for AI Agents to call the Query operation automatically.

What this package does

• Connects n8n with Google Gemini File Search so you can store documents and query them with LLMs.
• Provides an easy UI to create the store, upload files, list/delete documents, and run queries.
• Exposes a Tool (usable by Agents) for the Query operation, so the agent can pick it when needed.

Why you might want this

• Get reliable, grounded answers with citations: Gemini File Search can return supporting metadata for traceability.
• Scale your knowledge workflows: upload multiple documents (single-file operation here), organize stores, and query on demand.
• Seamless n8n integration: use it like any other node, or let an Agent call the Query Tool.
• Fast iteration: no backend to build—just drag, drop, and configure.

What’s included

• Node: "Gemini File Search" (programmatic style)
• Tool: "Gemini File Search: Query (Tool)" (usable by Agents)
• Credentials: "Gemini API"

Operations in the Gemini File Search node

• Create Store: Create a File Search Store by name.
• Delete Store: Delete a File Search Store by name.
• Upload: Upload a single file (binary property) to a File Search Store.
• List Documents: List documents available in a File Search Store.
• Delete Document: Delete a document from a File Search Store.
• Query: Ask a question using a Gemini model with File Search as the retrieval tool.

The Tool for AI Agents

• Name: "Gemini File Search: Query (Tool)"
• Purpose: Allow AI Agents (e.g., n8n Tools Agent) to call the Query operation automatically.
• Parameters:
  • Store Name: Full resource path of the File Search Store.
  • Question: The user query.
  • Model: e.g., gemini-2.5-flash (default) or gemini-2.5-pro.
  • Include Citations: Return grounding metadata for traceable answers.
• Output:
  • text: the model’s answer
  • groundingMetadata (when citations are enabled)

Requirements

• A Google Gemini API key with access to File Search.
• The full File Search Store name (for example: projects/.../locations/.../fileSearchStores/STORE_ID).
• n8n installed (self-hosted or local dev) and the ability to load community nodes or custom extensions.

Installation

You can use this package as a community node or copy its compiled files into your custom extensions folder.

• Install from npm:

  • npm install n8n-nodes-gemini-file-search-store
  • Restart n8n so it detects the package (in environments that support community nodes).

• Manual (custom extensions):

  • Build the project: npm run build
  • Copy dist/* into your n8n custom extensions folder (e.g., ~/.n8n/custom/).
  • Restart n8n.

Quick start (Node)

1. Add the "Gemini File Search" node to a workflow.
2. Configure credentials: "Gemini API" (your API key).
3. Choose an operation:
   • Create Store: set the store name.
   • Upload: set store name, binary property (e.g., data), optional mime type, and display name.
   • Query: set store name, your question, model, and whether to include citations.
4. Execute and see the results.

Quick start (Agent Tool)

1. Add a "Tools Agent" (or compatible Agent) to your workflow.
2. In its tools list, add "Gemini File Search: Query (Tool)".
3. Configure:
   • Store Name
   • Model (e.g., gemini-2.5-flash)
   • Include Citations (optional)
4. Run your agent. When the user asks a question, the agent can decide to call the Query Tool and return grounded answers.

Parameters overview

• Store Name: Full path of your File Search Store.
• Binary Property (Upload): The binary field (e.g., data) where your file resides.
• File Display Name (Upload): Optional display name for the file.
• MIME Type (Upload): Optional MIME type; defaults to application/octet-stream if not provided.
• Model (Query): A Gemini model like gemini-2.5-flash or gemini-2.5-pro.
• Include Citations (Query): Enable to return groundingMetadata.

Outputs

• Query (node and tool):
  • text: Answer from the model.
  • groundingMetadata: Citations and support info when enabled.
• Upload: Returns the operation result for the uploaded file.
• List Documents: Array of documents in the store.
• Delete Document / Delete Store: Operation status.

Troubleshooting

• I can’t see the node/tool in n8n:
  • Restart n8n after installing.
  • If using custom extensions, ensure files are in ~/.n8n/custom and readable.
• Query returns no citations:
  • Make sure "Include Citations" is enabled.
  • Verify your store name and that documents exist.
• Upload fails:
  • Confirm the binary property name matches your input (e.g., data).
  • Check MIME type and file size.

Notes

• This is a community node package intended to simplify Gemini File Search workflows in n8n.
• The Query Tool is marked usableAsTool and designed for agent tool-calling scenarios.

Contributing

Issues and improvements are welcome. Feel free to open discussions or contribute enhancements that help others use Gemini File Search in n8n more easily.