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

# Disable knowledge topics from functions

> Exclude specific Managed Topics from RAG retrieval at runtime using conv.disable_kb_topics() based on conversation context.

<Info>
  **This page requires Python familiarity.** It covers disabling [Managed Topics](/managed-topics/introduction) from Python functions so they are excluded from retrieval for the rest of the conversation.
</Info>

Use `conv.disable_kb_topics()` when you need to deterministically prevent the agent from matching certain topics – for example, when an upstream IVR has already handled a flow, the caller is in a context where some answers are not applicable, or a client request requires hiding a topic from the agent without editing the knowledge base.

Previously this could only be approximated through prompting. Disabling topics from a function gives you a reliable, deterministic way to scope the agent's knowledge mid-conversation.

Set and clear disabled topics using:

* `conv.disable_kb_topics()` – hide one or more topics from retrieval
* `conv.clear_disabled_kb_topics()` – re-enable topics that were previously disabled

## How it behaves

### Persists across turns

Topics disabled with `conv.disable_kb_topics()` stay disabled for the rest of the conversation. They continue to be excluded until you:

* call `conv.clear_disabled_kb_topics()`, or
* call `conv.disable_kb_topics()` again with a new list (the new list replaces the previous one).

You do not need to re-disable topics on every turn.

### Excluded everywhere RAG runs

Disabled topics are removed from:

* The list of topics shown to the LLM in the system prompt.
* Retrieval results used to ground the response.
* The function/tool list exposed to real-time (speech-to-speech) agents.

### Combines with channel exclusions

Disabled topics are merged with any topics already excluded for the current channel (configured under **Channels**). A topic is hidden if it is excluded by either mechanism.

## When to use this

Use `conv.disable_kb_topics()` when:

* An external IVR has already handled an intent and you do not want the agent to repeat it.
* The caller's account or segment should not see certain topics (for example, a "cancellations" topic for a non-cancellable plan).
* A client requests temporary suppression of a topic without changing the knowledge base.
* You want to scope retrieval to a subset of topics for a specific part of the conversation.

## conv.disable\_kb\_topics()

Disables one or more Managed Topics for the current conversation.

### Parameters

#### topics (list of strings)

A list of Managed Topic **names** to disable. Names must match the topic names configured under **Build > Knowledge > Managed Topics**.

Calling `conv.disable_kb_topics()` replaces any previously disabled list. To add to the existing list, include the previous names alongside the new ones.

### Examples

#### Disable a single topic based on IVR context

```python theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
def on_start(conv):
    if conv.state.get("ivr_intent") == "billing_handled":
        conv.disable_kb_topics(["refund_policy", "billing_dispute"])
```

#### Disable topics based on account data

```python theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
def setup_account(conv):
    account = conv.api.crm.get_account()

    if not account["supports_cancellation"]:
        conv.disable_kb_topics(["cancellation_policy"])
```

#### Replace the disabled list

```python theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
def update_scope(conv):
    # Only "store_hours" is disabled after this call;
    # any previously disabled topics are re-enabled.
    conv.disable_kb_topics(["store_hours"])
```

## conv.clear\_disabled\_kb\_topics()

Re-enables any topics that were previously disabled for the conversation.

Use this when the reason for disabling no longer applies – for example, after the caller switches to a different intent or completes a verification step.

### Example: disable, then clear

```python theme={"theme":{"light":"github-light","dark":"github-dark"}}
def handle_self_service(conv):
    conv.disable_kb_topics(["human_handoff"])
    conv.say("Let's try to sort this out together.")

    # Later, if self-service fails:
    if conv.state.get("self_service_failed"):
        conv.clear_disabled_kb_topics()
```

## Related documentation

* [Managed Topics](/managed-topics/introduction)
* [RAG](/managed-topics/RAG/introduction)
* [Conversation object](/tools/classes/conv-object)