# KnowMan MCP server: open source Yes. The KnowMan [MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) is open source under the MIT license, repository [github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). The npm package is [@knowman/mcp](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) 0.3.0, and the server runs locally over stdio or as a [hosted remote server](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. ## What the KnowMan MCP server is The KnowMan MCP server connects an AI client to KnowMan over the [Model Context Protocol](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server), so you can ask an assistant to 'search my KnowMan for ...' or 'save this URL' ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). The project is open source under the [MIT license](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). Code, README, and the documented client configurations live in one place. Related reading: [MCP server knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) and connect any AI to [your notes](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes). ## The GitHub repository and the npm package The repository is [Essatt/knowman-mcp on GitHub](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp), MIT-licensed. The npm package is [@knowman/mcp](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp), version 0.3.0, also MIT, and it requires Node 22 or later ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). There is no global install step. `npx -y @knowman/mcp` fetches and runs the local server on demand ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## The official MCP Registry entry The official MCP Registry entry is [io.github.Essatt/knowman-mcp](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp), version 0.3.0. The entry lists both the npm package and the hosted server ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). You can look it up on the [MCP Registry](https://registry.modelcontextprotocol.io) by searching for io.github.Essatt/knowman-mcp. ## Local stdio server and hosted remote server The server runs in two ways. Locally, `npx -y @knowman/mcp` starts a stdio server ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). Remotely, the hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp speaks [Streamable HTTP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). For clients with MCP OAuth, the easiest path is to add that URL, [sign in](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base), and approve the consent page ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). You can also send an [API key](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) as `Authorization: Bearer `; keys are created in [KnowMan settings](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp), and a key cannot create other keys. The full OAuth flow against the live hosted server, from registration through consent, token, tools, and refresh, was [verified with the official MCP SDK client](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). ## The six tools The server exposes six tools: `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories` ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). `kb_search` searches [saved items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles) by [keyword or meaning](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base), returning titles, URLs, and metadata. `kb_ask` answers with citations. `kb_get_item` returns the readable content of one item, and `kb_save` saves a URL with an optional note. `kb_memories` is read-only and returns saved claims, decisions, and playbooks. ## OAuth scopes, tokens, and disconnecting an app The consent page requests two scopes: `knowman.read`, which covers search, read, and ask, and `knowman.write`, which covers saving links ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). Access tokens last one hour and [refresh automatically](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). To disconnect an app, delete its 'OAuth: ' entry in your [KnowMan API-keys list](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). Changing your KnowMan password [disconnects every connected app](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). ## Documented client setups Setup needs one KnowMan account at https://app.knowman.io ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). For key-based auth, the repository documents three clients ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). [Claude Code](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) adds the hosted server with the `claude mcp add` command, http transport, and an Authorization Bearer header holding the API key. [Cursor](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) stores the hosted server URL and a Bearer API key header in `mcp.json`. [Claude Desktop](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) runs the local server, `npx -y @knowman/mcp`, with a `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` environment variable in `claude_desktop_config.json`. The [Claude Code knowledge base guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-code-knowledge-base) covers that client in depth. ## Where KnowMan fits KnowMan saves articles and links, reads and tags them, answers questions with citations, and keeps memories such as claims, decisions, and playbooks. The MCP server is the access layer: an assistant can search the library, ask questions, [save links](https://www.knowman.io/guides/best-bookmark-manager), and read memories. KnowMan is built for one person's library today; team plans are not available yet. To weigh approaches, see [knowledge base for AI agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents) and [persistent memory for AI agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-for-ai-agents). ## Questions ### Is the KnowMan MCP server open source? Yes. The project is [MIT-licensed](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) and lives at [github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). The npm package [@knowman/mcp](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) is [MIT-licensed](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) as well. ### How do I run the KnowMan MCP server locally? Run `npx -y @knowman/mcp` ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). You need [Node 22 or later](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp), and the package runs as a [local stdio server](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). ### How do I connect to the hosted MCP server? Add the server URL https://api.knowman.io/mcp and [sign in with OAuth](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp), or send an [API key](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) as `Authorization: Bearer `. Keys are created in [KnowMan settings](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp), and a key cannot create other keys. ### What OAuth scopes does the server request? The consent page requests `knowman.read` for search, read, and ask, and `knowman.write` for saving links ([repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). [Access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). ## Related guides - [Connect your knowledge base through KnowMan's MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) - [What Is a Knowledge Base for AI Agents?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents) - [Persistent Memory for AI Agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-for-ai-agents) - [How Do You Connect AI to Your Notes?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes) ## More in this topic - [A calmer Mac for reading](https://www.knowman.io/guides/a-calmer-mac-for-reading) - [Check a claim before you save it](https://www.knowman.io/guides/check-a-claim-before-you-save-it) - [A digital nomad research library](https://www.knowman.io/guides/digital-nomad-research-library) ## Give your assistant your library Try KnowMan Pro for 14 days, 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/knowman-mcp-open-source