Update app.py

app.py

@@ -127,7 +127,7 @@ def load_vector_index(role: str):
         )
         Settings.embed_model = embed_model
 
-        # ✅ Detect read-only filesystem (e.g., Vercel) and use /tmp
+        # ✅ Use /tmp for Vercel/read-only filesystems
         if os.getenv("VERCEL") or os.access(".", os.W_OK) is False:
             persist_dir = os.path.join("/tmp", "chroma_db", role)
         else:
@@ -138,8 +138,11 @@ def load_vector_index(role: str):
         # Initialize Chroma client
         chroma_client = chromadb.PersistentClient(path=persist_dir)
 
-        # Get the collection
-        chroma_collection = chroma_client.get_collection("documents")
+        # ✅ Get or create collection
+        try:
+            chroma_collection = chroma_client.get_collection("documents")
+        except chromadb.errors.NotFoundError:
+            chroma_collection = chroma_client.create_collection("documents")
 
         # Create vector store
         vector_store = ChromaVectorStore(chroma_collection=chroma_collection)
@@ -159,6 +162,7 @@ def load_vector_index(role: str):
     except Exception as e:
         st.error(f"Error loading vector index: {str(e)}")
         st.stop()
+
 def chat_interface():
     """Main chat interface"""
     # Add styled heading