# Connect KnowMan to Claude Code

Client: Claude Code

[Add KnowMan to Claude Code](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-code-knowledge-base) with `claude mcp add`, then sign in once with `knowman login` or provide an [API key](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base). KnowMan runs locally with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` and as a hosted server at `https://api.knowman.io/mcp` with OAuth sign-in or an API key, and it exposes six tools for searching, asking, reading, saving, [recent items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base), and memories. [Claude Code supports local stdio servers](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

## Claude Code CLI

```bash
claude mcp add knowman --env KNOWMAN_API_KEY=km_... -- npx -y @knowman/mcp
```

## Add the KnowMan MCP server

Run the command in the config field. Claude Code documents `claude mcp add [options] <name> -- <command> [args...]` for adding a [stdio server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server). Everything after `--` is passed to the server command. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

The command uses `npx -y @knowman/mcp` to start KnowMan’s standalone stdio server. It requires Node 22 or newer.

## Sign in once with knowman login

Instead of putting an API key in the command, run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` and complete browser sign-in. The CLI and MCP server share the saved credential, so you can then remove the `--env KNOWMAN_API_KEY=km_...` part from the server configuration.

You can also create an agent key in the KnowMan web app under Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent, then pass it with `--env KNOWMAN_API_KEY=km_...`. Replace the placeholder with your key.

## Check the connection

Run `claude mcp get knowman` to check the connection, or open `/mcp` in Claude Code. The `claude mcp list` command reports server health, including `✔ Connected` and `✘ Failed to connect`. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

## Use KnowMan’s six tools

`kb_search` [searches saved items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-claude-code-your-knowledge) by [keyword or meaning](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base). `kb_ask` [answers a question with citations](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents). `kb_get_item` reads one item’s content.

`kb_save` [saves a URL](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-article-saver) to the Inbox or Knowledge Base with an optional note. `kb_recent` lists recent items. `kb_memories` lists saved claims, decisions, and playbooks.

## Choose local or project configuration

The CLI command adds a local server by default. Claude Code stores local- and user-scoped entries in `~/.claude.json`. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

For project scope, add an `mcpServers` entry to `.mcp.json` at the project root. Claude Code keeps a project server pending until you approve it by running `claude` interactively, and workspace trust is required before it reads approvals from repository settings. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

## If the server does not connect

Check the server health with [`claude mcp list`](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp) or check its connection with [`claude mcp get knowman`](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

If the stdio server has failed, select Reconnect from its server menu in `/mcp`. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

## Use the hosted KnowMan server with Claude Code

KnowMan also runs as a hosted remote MCP server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp, so no local server process is needed. Create an API key in your KnowMan settings, then run: `claude mcp add --transport http knowman https://api.knowman.io/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer <key>"`. Claude Code connects over HTTP transport and sends the key as an Authorization: Bearer header.

You can also sign in with OAuth. Add the server URL https://api.knowman.io/mcp, sign in, and approve on the KnowMan consent page. The knowman.read scope covers search, read, and ask, and knowman.write covers saving links. Access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically, and you disconnect an app by deleting its "OAuth: <app name>" entry in your KnowMan API-keys list.

The hosted server exposes the same six tools: kb_search, kb_ask, kb_get_item, kb_save, kb_recent, and kb_memories (read-only). Ask Claude to "search my KnowMan for ..." or "save this URL". If you prefer the local option, the open-source client is [knowman-mcp on GitHub](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp) and runs with `npx -y @knowman/mcp`.

## Set the key and make your first search

Create a key in KnowMan settings and place it in the KNOWMAN_KEY environment variable, for example `export KNOWMAN_KEY=<key>`. The hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp reads the key from the Authorization header, so the MCP config file for Claude Code takes this shape: `{"mcpServers":{"knowman":{"type":"http","url":"https://api.knowman.io/mcp","headers":{"Authorization":"Bearer ${KNOWMAN_KEY}"}}}}`

Start with two short prompts. Ask: "Use the knowman kb_recent tool and list the titles it returns". Then ask: "Use the knowman kb_search tool with the query bookmark and list the top results".

Both prompts return a list of saved-item titles from your KnowMan library, so you can see right away what the connection reaches. The same connection gives you six tools in total: kb_search, kb_ask, kb_get_item, kb_save, kb_recent and kb_memories.

## Questions

### Does KnowMan run as a remote MCP server?

KnowMan runs locally with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` and as a hosted server at `https://api.knowman.io/mcp` with OAuth sign-in or an API key. Claude Code describes stdio servers as local processes on your machine. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

### Do I need to keep the API key in the config?

No. Run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once, then remove the `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` environment setting. The CLI and MCP server share the saved credential.

### How can I confirm Claude Code connected?

Run `claude mcp get knowman` or open `/mcp` in Claude Code. `claude mcp list` also reports server health. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

### Can I share the setup through a project?

Yes. Put the server entry in `.mcp.json` at the project root. Project-scoped servers remain pending until approved in an interactive Claude Code session, and workspace trust is required for repository settings approvals. [Claude Code MCP documentation](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp).

## Related pages

- [Give Claude Code a knowledge base built from your reading](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-code-knowledge-base)

- [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)

## More in this topic

- [KnowMan MCP server for Codex](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/codex)
- [Connect KnowMan to Gemini CLI](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/gemini-cli)
- [KnowMan MCP server for Goose](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/goose)

## More for Claude Code

- [How memory works in Claude Code](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-code-memory)
- [How to teach Claude Code your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-claude-code-your-knowledge)

## Give Claude your saved knowledge

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Source: https://www.knowman.io/integrations/claude-code