How to Build a Claude Knowledge Base

How can Claude connect to a personal knowledge base?

Claude Desktop and Claude Code can connect to external tools through MCP, or Model Context Protocol. MCP gives the client a standard way to discover and call tools offered by another service.

KnowMan provides an MCP server with access to your saved knowledge. In plain terms, Claude Desktop acts as the workspace, MCP provides the connection standard, and KnowMan supplies the searchable reading library.

• Claude Desktop: desktop client with MCP support.
• Claude Code: coding client with MCP support.
• MCP: standard for connecting AI clients to external tools.
• KnowMan: source of saved items, memories, and cited answers.

How do I set up KnowMan with Claude?

First, save the articles, references, and notes you want Claude to use. KnowMan reads the full text of what you save, so you can build context from articles rather than relying only on short summaries.

Open KnowMan’s Settings and create an agent key. Choose only the permissions you want the agent to have. Copy the provided configuration snippet and paste it into the client. KnowMan works with Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, and any MCP client.

1. Save useful sources in KnowMan.
2. Open Settings and create an agent key.
3. Choose the agent permissions.
4. Paste one configuration snippet into your MCP client.
5. Restart or reload the client if it does not detect the tools automatically.

What can Claude do with the KnowMan knowledge base?

With the connection active, Claude can call kb_search to search everything you saved and kb_get_item to read an item’s full text. It can use kb_ask to ask a question and receive an answer with citations to your saved sources.

Claude can also use kb_memories to read your decisions, playbooks, facts, and notes. The kb_recent tool shows recent saves, while kb_save lets the agent add a new link to your library.

• kb_search: search saved material.
• kb_get_item: read an item’s full text.
• kb_ask: answer a question with citations.
• kb_memories: read your decisions, playbooks, facts, and notes.
• kb_recent: inspect recent saves.
• kb_save: save a new link.

What can I ask Claude after setup?

Start with a request that tests discovery, then narrow the task. Ask Claude which saved articles mention a topic, then request a comparison that cites its sources. You can also ask about a standing decision or playbook stored in Memories.

For current events, ask Claude to review recent saves and separate source-backed facts from its own general knowledge. Clear instructions help it choose the right tool and show what it retrieved.

1. Ask: “Which articles in my knowledge base discuss this topic?”
2. Ask: “Read the strongest sources and compare them with citations.”
3. Ask: “What saved decisions or playbooks apply to this task?”
4. Ask: “Save this link to my KnowMan library.”

Can Claude change my KnowMan memories?

No. Claude can save items with kb_save, but agents cannot write memories. Your decisions, playbooks, facts, and notes remain yours, while the chosen agent key still controls which tools the agent can use.

Setup and AI assistant connection are Free. Every new account starts with 14 days of Pro without a credit card. The Free plan includes saving, keyword search, highlights and notes, automatic article organization, five Ask questions per day, Memories, and AI assistant connection.

• Review permissions before issuing an agent key.
• Keep sensitive material out of shared environments.
• Check citations before using important answers.
• Edit or remove outdated saved sources yourself.