# Add a personal knowledge base to LM Studio LM Studio can act as an MCP host, connecting [MCP servers](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) and making them available to its models [according to its MCP documentation](https://lmstudio.ai/docs/app/mcp). Connect KnowMan’s hosted MCP server to add tools for searching [saved reading](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-article-saver) by meaning, asking questions, saving links, and accessing memories [through KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). ## What LM Studio does Starting with version 0.3.17, LM Studio acts as a [Model Context Protocol](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server) (MCP) host. You can connect MCP servers to the app and make them available to its models through LM Studio’s MCP support. LM Studio supports local and remote MCP servers. Add a server by editing the app’s `mcp.json` file or, when available, by selecting an “Add to LM Studio” button in LM Studio. ## How LM Studio connects to MCP servers LM Studio currently follows Cursor’s `mcp.json` notation. To edit the file, open the Program tab in the right sidebar, then select Install > Edit mcp.json in LM Studio. When adding a server manually, LM Studio says to copy only the content inside the `mcpServers` object in its setup instructions. ## What KnowMan adds KnowMan’s hosted MCP server is at `https://api.knowman.io/mcp` and uses Streamable HTTP. Its documented authentication options are OAuth or an API key sent as an `Authorization: Bearer ` header in the KnowMan MCP documentation. KnowMan’s MCP tools include `kb_search` for searching saved reading by meaning, `kb_ask` for questions about your personal knowledge base, `kb_save` for saving links, and `kb_memories` for accessing saved memories through the KnowMan MCP server. KnowMan also saves articles and links, reads and tags them, [answers questions](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base) with citations, and keeps memories such as claims, decisions, and playbooks [in your personal knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base). ## Add KnowMan’s hosted server LM Studio supports remote MCP servers, and KnowMan documents a hosted server at `https://api.knowman.io/mcp` in the respective MCP documentation and KnowMan setup. KnowMan documents OAuth sign-in with a consent page, or API-key authentication with a Bearer header for its hosted server. The exact LM Studio `mcp.json` fields for hosted OAuth or API-key authentication are not specified here. ## Search saved reading and ask questions With KnowMan’s MCP tools, `kb_search` can search saved reading by meaning and `kb_ask` can answer questions about your personal knowledge base through KnowMan MCP. KnowMan describes its answers as including citations in its product guide. KnowMan also provides `kb_get_item` to read one [saved item](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles) and `kb_recent` to list recent items through the MCP server. ## Keep useful memories available KnowMan keeps saved claims, decisions, and playbooks as memories in its personal knowledge base. The MCP server exposes a `kb_memories` tool for accessing those stored memories through KnowMan MCP. ## Where KnowMan fits LM Studio provides the MCP host, while KnowMan provides a personal library and tools for searching saved reading, asking questions, saving links, and accessing memories through its MCP server and KnowMan MCP. KnowMan offers a 14-day Pro trial with no credit card on its plans page. See [how to connect an AI to your notes](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes) for more on the personal knowledge-base approach. ## Questions ### Can LM Studio connect to remote MCP servers? Yes. LM Studio supports both local and remote MCP servers in its MCP host documentation. KnowMan documents a hosted server at `https://api.knowman.io/mcp` in its MCP documentation. ### What can KnowMan do through MCP? KnowMan’s tools include search by meaning, questions about your knowledge base, reading an item, saving links, listing recent items, and accessing memories through KnowMan MCP. KnowMan answers questions with citations in its product guide. ### How does KnowMan authenticate with its hosted MCP server? KnowMan documents OAuth sign-in with a consent page or an API key sent as a Bearer authorization header for the hosted server. The exact LM Studio configuration fields for those options are not specified here. ### Does KnowMan offer a free trial? Yes. KnowMan offers a 14-day Pro trial with no credit card on its plans page. ## 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) - [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 - [Company brain vs knowledge base vs enterprise search](https://www.knowman.io/guides/company-brain-vs-knowledge-base-vs-enterprise-search) - [KnowMan vs Savant](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowman-vs-savant) - [Open WebUI and your knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/open-webui-knowledge-base) ## More for LM Studio - [Add the KnowMan MCP server to LM Studio](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/lm-studio) - [How to give LM Studio better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/lm-studio-memory) - [How to teach LM Studio your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-lm-studio-your-knowledge) ## Give your local AI a personal library 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/lm-studio-knowledge-base