Check ChatGPT plan and platform access
Full MCP support is available to ChatGPT Business and Enterprise/Edu customers on the web. Pro users can connect custom MCP servers with read/fetch permissions. Custom MCP connections are web-only.
Add KnowMan as a custom MCP server
In ChatGPT, go to Plugins, select the plus button, then choose “Add custom MCP server.” OpenAI documents these steps. Developer Mode does not need to be enabled first.
Enter a name and optional description. For the public HTTPS endpoint, enter https://api.knowman.io/mcp. ChatGPT’s connection form accepts a public HTTPS MCP endpoint, and this is KnowMan’s hosted Streamable HTTP server.
Sign in and approve KnowMan access
Choose OAuth authentication. The client opens a KnowMan consent page where you sign in and approve access. KnowMan documents OAuth consent for its hosted server, and ChatGPT supports OAuth for custom MCP plugins.
The consent page defines knowman.read for search, read, and ask, and knowman.write for saving links. KnowMan documents these OAuth scopes. KnowMan access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically.
Create and install the plugin
Review ChatGPT’s risk warning and select the confirmation checkbox. Select “Create as a plugin,” then review the discovered tools and metadata. These are the documented ChatGPT setup steps.
Find the resulting plugin in your personal plugins or workspace and install it before using it in a conversation. OpenAI documents installation as a required step.
Ask ChatGPT to search or save
In a chat, type @ and select the installed plugin. OpenAI documents this way to select a custom MCP plugin.
Try a request such as “search my KnowMan for …” or “save this URL.” KnowMan documents these example requests. Its server lists six tools: kb_search, kb_ask, kb_get_item, kb_save, kb_recent, and kb_memories. The tool list is in the KnowMan MCP documentation.
Where KnowMan fits
KnowMan saves articles and links, answers questions with citations, and keeps memories such as claims, decisions, and playbooks. The hosted MCP server connects ChatGPT to those documented tools.
ChatGPT connects to remote MCP servers. OpenAI says a local or private server needs a Secure MCP Tunnel. KnowMan also offers a local stdio server through npx -y @knowman/mcp, but this guide uses its hosted endpoint. KnowMan documents both server options.
New to MCP? Read what an MCP server is. For ChatGPT's own memory, see how to give ChatGPT memory, and for the newer agent product, ChatGPT Dots and your knowledge base.
Questions people ask
Do I need to enable Developer Mode first?
No. ChatGPT’s current custom MCP setup does not require Developer Mode before adding a server. See OpenAI’s setup instructions.
Which ChatGPT plans support custom MCP servers?
Business and Enterprise/Edu customers have full MCP support on ChatGPT web. Pro users can connect custom MCP servers with read/fetch permissions. OpenAI lists plan availability here.
Can ChatGPT connect to a local KnowMan MCP server?
ChatGPT connects to remote MCP servers, not directly to a local server. OpenAI says private, on-premises, or developer-machine servers need Secure MCP Tunnel. Read OpenAI’s guidance.
What can the KnowMan MCP server do?
KnowMan documents six tools for search, asking, reading an item, saving a link, viewing recent items, and reading memories. See the KnowMan MCP tool list.