# Jan and your personal knowledge base

[Jan is an MCP host](https://docs.jan.ai/desktop/mcp) that connects AI models with [MCP servers](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) for tools and data sources. The [hosted KnowMan MCP server](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) gives Jan tools for searching [saved reading](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-article-saver), asking questions with citations, retrieving items, saving links, viewing [recent items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base), and accessing memories.

## What Jan is

Jan is an MCP host that connects AI models with MCP servers. These servers can provide prompts, tools, and data sources for completing tasks.

## How Jan uses MCP

MCP standardizes how AI models interact with external tools and data sources. Jan can use MCP to give models abilities such as searching a local codebase, querying a database, or interacting with web APIs.

## Prepare Jan for MCP

Jan requires a model with tool-calling capability to use MCP effectively. For local models, enable tool calling under Model Capabilities, then configure servers under Settings > MCP Servers. The same settings include an option to pre-approve tool calls.

## Connect the hosted KnowMan server

The hosted KnowMan server is available at `https://api.knowman.io/mcp` and uses Streamable HTTP. It supports OAuth sign-in or an API key sent as an Authorization Bearer header.

## Search saved reading

KnowMan's `kb_search` tool searches [saved items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles) by [keyword or meaning](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base) across titles, URLs, and metadata. You can also read the [MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## Ask questions and access memories

KnowMan MCP provides tools for searching, asking questions, retrieving saved items, saving links, viewing recent items, and accessing memories. Its OAuth read scope covers search, reading, and asking, while its write scope covers saving links.

## Where KnowMan fits

Jan acts as the MCP host. KnowMan MCP supplies tools that connect saved reading, cited answers, and kept memories to that host. This fits into a broader [personal knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base).

## Questions

### What is Jan used for?

Jan is an MCP host that connects AI models with MCP servers for tools and data sources. It can support abilities such as searching local code, querying databases, and interacting with web APIs.

### How do you add KnowMan to Jan?

Configure the hosted server URL, `https://api.knowman.io/mcp`, in Jan's MCP server settings. The hosted KnowMan server supports OAuth sign-in or an API key sent as an Authorization Bearer header.

### What does KnowMan add to Jan?

KnowMan MCP provides tools for searching saved reading, asking questions with citations, retrieving items, saving links, viewing recent items, and accessing memories. See the guide to personal knowledge bases.

### Does Jan need tool calling for MCP?

Yes. Jan requires a model with tool-calling capability to use MCP effectively. For local models, enable tool calling under Model Capabilities.

## Related guides

- [Connect your knowledge base through KnowMan's MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base)

- [What is a personal knowledge base, and how do you build one?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base)

- [Understand AI knowledge bases through the sources behind an answer](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base)

- [How Do You Connect AI to Your Notes?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes)

- [What Is a Knowledge Base for AI Agents?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents)

## More in this topic

- [Add a personal knowledge base to LM Studio](https://www.knowman.io/guides/lm-studio-knowledge-base)
- [Open WebUI and your knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/open-webui-knowledge-base)
- [Give LibreChat access to your knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/librechat-knowledge-base)

## More for Jan

- [KnowMan MCP server for Jan](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/jan)
- [How to give Jan better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/jan-memory)
- [How to teach Jan your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-jan-your-knowledge)

## Give Jan a library worth searching

Try KnowMan Pro for 14 days with no credit card. [Create your account](https://app.knowman.io/signup)

[Start free](https://app.knowman.io/signup)

Every new account starts with 14 days of Pro. No credit card.

Source: https://www.knowman.io/guides/jan-knowledge-base