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

# Do I Need a Connector to Read Brain?

No. You never need your own connector to search or browse a Brain knowledge source, whatever app it is backed by (Google Drive, Slack, Notion, and so on).

Connectors and knowledge sources are separate systems:

| Feature                        | What it does                                                    | Whose credentials                |
| ------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| [Connectors](/help/connectors) | Let agents take live actions as you (send email, post to Slack) | Yours                            |
| Brain knowledge sources        | Index content so agents and search can read it                  | The person who set up the source |

The credential attached to a knowledge source is used only at **sync time**, by the source itself, to read documents and record their sharing settings. When you search or browse Brain, Gumloop never contacts the provider on your behalf and never uses your connectors.

If you cannot see documents in Brain, connecting your own account will not fix it. See [Why is a document missing from Brain?](/help/brain/why-is-a-document-missing) instead.

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I connected the same app as the source (say, Google Drive) and still cannot see its documents">
    Expected. Your connector plays no part in Brain visibility. Check that the documents are shared with your Gumloop login email in the original system.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does the source break if I disconnect my own account?">
    No. Only the credential pinned to the source matters, and only for syncing. Disconnecting your own account changes nothing for readers.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Why is a document missing?" icon="file-magnifying-glass" href="/help/brain/why-is-a-document-missing">
    Document access and email matching
  </Card>

  <Card title="Brain" icon="brain" href="/core-concepts/brain">
    Full feature reference
  </Card>
</CardGroup>