# Open WebUI and your knowledge base

Open WebUI can connect to MCP servers through Streamable HTTP, including the hosted KnowMan server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. Once connected, its tools let Open WebUI search saved items, [ask questions](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base), read content, [save links](https://www.knowman.io/guides/best-bookmark-manager), list [recent items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base), and retrieve memories from KnowMan.

## What Open WebUI does with MCP

Open WebUI supports MCP starting with version 0.6.31. It connects to [MCP servers](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) using the Streamable HTTP transport, and users can call the tools exposed by a connected server from Open WebUI. See the [Open WebUI MCP documentation](https://docs.openwebui.com/features/extensibility/mcp).

## Connect the hosted KnowMan server

KnowMan provides a hosted Streamable HTTP MCP server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. Sign in with OAuth and approve its consent request, or send an API key as `Authorization: Bearer <key>`. Both authentication methods are documented in the [KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp).

## Add KnowMan in Open WebUI

In Open WebUI, an administrator adds MCP servers under Settings > Admin > Integrations. Set the type to MCP (Streamable HTTP), add https://api.knowman.io/mcp, and use OAuth or a bearer token as required by your authentication choice. See Open WebUI's MCP guide.

## Search, ask, and read saved items

KnowMan MCP exposes six tools for searching, asking, reading, saving, listing recent items, and retrieving memories. The tools are `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories`. See the KnowMan MCP repository.

## Control access to the connection

Open WebUI administrators can scope an MCP server to selected users or groups with Access Control. This lets an admin add the server once and control who can use it. Open WebUI reserves MCP registration for administrators because servers can have powerful capabilities and access user data. See the Open WebUI MCP documentation.

## Understand OAuth permissions

KnowMan's consent flow separates `knowman.read` for search, reading, and asking from `knowman.write` for saving links. Its access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically. See the KnowMan MCP repository.

## Where KnowMan fits

KnowMan fits as the knowledge layer behind Open WebUI. It keeps [saved articles](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles) and links available through tools for search, questions, content reading, saving, recent items, and memories. Learn more about [MCP servers for personal knowledge bases](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) and [connecting AI to your notes](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes).

## Questions

### Does Open WebUI support MCP?

Yes. Open WebUI supports MCP starting in version 0.6.31 and uses Streamable HTTP for MCP server connections. See the Open WebUI MCP documentation.

### How do I add KnowMan to Open WebUI?

An administrator adds https://api.knowman.io/mcp under Settings > Admin > Integrations and selects MCP (Streamable HTTP). Authentication can use OAuth or an API key sent as a bearer token. See the Open WebUI MCP documentation and KnowMan MCP repository.

### What can Open WebUI do with the KnowMan connection?

It can call the six tools exposed by KnowMan for searching, asking, reading, saving, listing recent items, and retrieving memories. See the KnowMan MCP repository.

### Can Open WebUI limit who uses KnowMan?

Yes. Administrators can scope an MCP server to selected users or groups with Access Control. See the Open WebUI MCP documentation.

## Related guides

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

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

- [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)

## 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)
- [What is a company brain?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-a-company-brain)

## More for Open WebUI

- [Connect Open WebUI to KnowMan](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/open-webui)
- [How to give Open WebUI better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/open-webui-memory)
- [How to teach Open WebUI your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-open-webui-your-knowledge)

## Give Open WebUI a personal knowledge base

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