# KnowMan MCP server for Amazon Q Developer

Client: Amazon Q Developer

In Amazon Q Developer, open the MCP configuration panel from the tools icon in the Q Developer Chat panel, add a [stdio server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server), fill the Command field with `npx` and the Arguments field with `-y @knowman/mcp`, and add `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` with your `km_...` key ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html), [KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). Amazon Q stores the result at global scope in `~/.aws/amazonq/default.json` or local scope in `.amazonq/default.json` ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). After saving, set tool permissions and ask Q to search your KnowMan ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

## Amazon Q Developer, MCP configuration panel fields

```text
Scope: global
Transport: stdio
Command: npx
Arguments: -y @knowman/mcp
Environment variable name: KNOWMAN_API_KEY
Environment variable value: km_...
Timeout: 60
```

## Add the server from the Q Developer Chat panel

Open your IDE with Q Developer installed, such as VS Code or a JetBrains IDE ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). In the Q Developer Chat panel, choose the tools icon to open the MCP configuration UI ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

Add a new [MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) and select the scope: global, stored in `~/.aws/amazonq/default.json` and available across all projects, or local, stored in `.amazonq/default.json` within the current project ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). Select stdio as the transport protocol. Amazon Q supports two transports, STDIO and HTTP ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

In the Command field, which takes the shell command the server runs when it initializes, enter `npx` ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). In the Arguments field, which takes command arguments, enter `-y @knowman/mcp` ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). Environment variables are entered as Name and Value pairs ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)); add `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` with the value `km_...` ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). Keep the timeout at the recommended 60 seconds, then choose Save ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

## Sign in once with knowman login

Instead of pasting a key, run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once. It opens browser sign-in, and the saved credential is shared by the CLI and the MCP server, so the environment variable entry can be dropped ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)).

An API key works too. Create one in the KnowMan web app at Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent; keys look like `km_...` ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). The server needs Node 22 or newer and starts with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)).

## Check the connection

After you add an MCP server, Amazon Q attempts to connect to it ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). If there are connection issues, an alert appears in the panel, and tools from that server should not be expected to work until the alert is resolved ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). Choose Fix Configuration to return to the MCP configuration screen ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

With no alert showing, ask Q something like "search my KnowMan for quarter planning" to try `kb_search`, or "save this URL" to try `kb_save` ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)).

## Set permissions for each tool

When you choose Save, the tool permissions panel replaces the configuration panel ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). Permissions are set per tool, and the Ask level prompts you for permission each time the tool is used ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). You can pick a level for each of the six KnowMan tools ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)).

## The six KnowMan tools

The server exposes six tools ([KnowMan MCP 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) and returns titles, URLs and metadata; `kb_ask` answers a question with citations; `kb_get_item` returns the readable content of one item; `kb_save` saves a URL to the Inbox or the Knowledge Base with an optional note; `kb_recent` lists [recent items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base); and `kb_memories` lists saved claims, decisions and playbooks ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)).

For more on the server and its setup, see [the MCP server knowledge base guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## Where Amazon Q stores the configuration

Servers added through the GUI are stored at global scope in `~/.aws/amazonq/default.json` or local scope in `.amazonq/default.json` ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). For legacy reasons, the same configuration can also live in `~/.aws/amazonq/mcp.json` or `.amazonq/mcp.json`; this is controlled by the `useLegacyMcpJson` field in the global default.json, which defaults to true ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

Q Developer gives precedence to workspace-level configurations for MCP servers, their permissions, and the stored settings ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). The mcp.json files may also be used by the Q CLI ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

## Disable the server

To turn the server off, open the MCP Servers panel and choose the server. Choose the three dots next to Edit setup, then choose Disable MCP Server ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

To point other clients at the same knowledge base, see [connect any AI to your notes](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes).

## Questions

### Where does Amazon Q Developer keep MCP server settings?

Global configuration is stored in `~/.aws/amazonq/default.json`, and local configuration in `.amazonq/default.json` within the current project ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). Legacy `mcp.json` files are also read at both scopes, controlled by `useLegacyMcpJson`, which defaults to true ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

### Q shows an alert after I add the server. What now?

Amazon Q attempts to connect after you add an MCP server, and connection issues appear as an alert in the panel; tools from that server should not be expected to work until the alert is resolved ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). Choose Fix Configuration to return to the MCP configuration screen ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

### Can I sign in without pasting an API key?

Run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). It opens browser sign-in, and the saved credential is shared by the CLI and the MCP server, so the environment variable entry can be dropped ([KnowMan MCP repository](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)).

### How do I disable the server?

Open the MCP Servers panel and choose the server ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)). Choose the three dots next to Edit setup, then choose Disable MCP Server ([Amazon Q docs](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/amazonq/latest/qdeveloper-ug/mcp-ide.html)).

## Related pages

- [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)

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

## More in this topic

- [Connect KnowMan to Kimi Code CLI](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/kimi-code-cli)
- [KnowMan MCP server for Msty](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/msty)
- [Add the KnowMan MCP server to OpenHands](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/openhands)

## Give Amazon Q your saved reading

Try KnowMan Pro free for 14 days, no credit card. [Start now](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/integrations/amazon-q-developer