v1.16 Agent mode: uploaded files not displayed in UI and file variables invalid in build
- Dominant language
- TypeScript
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Description
### Self Checks
- [x] I have read the [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md) and [Language Policy](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues/1542).
- [x] This is only for bug report, if you would like to ask a question, please head to [Discussions](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/discussions/categories/general).
- [x] I have searched for existing issues [search for existing issues](https://github.com/langgenius/dify/issues), including closed ones.
- [x] I confirm that I am using English to submit this report, otherwise it will be closed.
- [x] 【中文用户 & Non English User】请使用英语提交,否则会被关闭 :)
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### Dify version
1.16.1
### Cloud or Self Hosted
Self Hosted (Docker)
### Steps to reproduce
1. Go to Agent app → click Build (构建) to enter the "Build Agent via Conversation" interface.
2. Upload any supported file (e.g., a PDF) via the attachment button in the chat input area.
3. Type a prompt referencing the uploaded file, e.g., "Can you see the file I uploaded?"
4. Click "Start Build" (开始构建).
5. Observe the Agent's response.
### ✔️ Expected Behavior
The uploaded file should be transferred into the Agent's sandbox workspace.
The Agent should be able to read and process the file content to build the Agent configuration.
### ❌ Actual Behavior
The file appears successfully uploaded in the UI (file name and size are displayed).
After clicking "Start Build", the Agent responds: "I currently do not see the file you uploaded. I just checked the sandbox workspace for this run... In other words, you have not passed the file over in this turn."
The file is not present in the sandbox workspace at all.
This issue persists across Build, Preview, and Published modes — uploaded files are never accessible by the Agent.
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start with the Agent app's Build via Conversation attachment flow and trace how an uploaded file is passed into the sandbox workspace. Compare the behavior across Build, Preview, and Published modes; done means the uploaded file reaches the workspace and the Agent can read and process it in each mode.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- typescript
- Domain
- ai, full-stack
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 4/5
- Estimated time
- 3-5 days
- Activity status
- Active
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 50/100