# KnowMan MCP server for Claude Desktop

Client: Claude Desktop

Add KnowMan to Claude Desktop by placing its [local stdio server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server) in the `mcpServers` section of `claude_desktop_config.json`. Use `npx -y @knowman/mcp`, add `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` with a `km_...` key, then fully restart Claude Desktop and check the KnowMan connector's tools. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) for KnowMan setup and tool details.

## Claude Desktop local MCP configuration

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "knowman": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@knowman/mcp"],
      "env": {
        "KNOWMAN_API_KEY": "km_..."
      }
    }
  }
}
```

## Prepare Claude Desktop config

Open Claude Desktop Settings, choose the Developer tab, and select Edit Config. The file uses a top-level `mcpServers` object for server entries, as shown in the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers).

Config paths are `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` on macOS, `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` on Windows, and `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` on Linux. See the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers).

## Add the KnowMan server

Add the `knowman` entry from the config field. Its `command` is `npx`, and its arguments are `["-y", "@knowman/mcp"]`. Claude Desktop uses `command` to run a local server with Node.js's `npx`, while `-y` confirms package installation automatically. See the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers) and the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

Keep file paths absolute if you later replace `npx` with a direct executable path. Claude Desktop documents absolute paths as required in `claude_desktop_config.json`. See the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers).

## Create a KnowMan API key

In the KnowMan web app, open Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent and create an agent key. Keys start with `km_`. Put your key in `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` instead of leaving the `km_...` placeholder. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) for the documented setup.

## Sign in once with knowman login

Run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login`, approve access in the browser, and run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman status` to check the saved credential. The CLI and MCP server share that credential, so you can remove the entire `env` block from the Claude Desktop config after signing in. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) for these commands and credential details.

## Restart and verify

After saving the config, completely quit and restart Claude Desktop. Open the Add files, connectors, and more indicator, choose Connectors > Manage connectors, and select `knowman` to view its available tools. See the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers).

## KnowMan tools in Claude Desktop

`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 questions with citations](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents), while `kb_get_item` retrieves readable content and metadata for one item. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) for the tool details.

`kb_save` saves a URL to Inbox or the Knowledge Base with an optional note. `kb_recent` lists recent items, and `kb_memories` lists saved claims, decisions, and playbooks. These six tools are documented in the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## Common problems

If `npx` is unavailable, use the absolute path to your Node installation's `npx`. If `npx` still fails, npm may need to be installed globally. See the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers).

For connection troubleshooting, check `mcp.log` for general MCP connection logs and `mcp-server-SERVERNAME.log` for each server's stderr output. Log locations are documented in the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers).

## Use the hosted KnowMan server

KnowMan also runs as a hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. In clients that support remote MCP servers you add this URL and [sign in](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base) with OAuth, approving the request on the KnowMan consent page, or send an API key as an `Authorization: Bearer <key>` header.

In Claude Desktop you keep the local setup and pass the same API key to the open-source client (https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp): `{"mcpServers":{"knowman":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@knowman/mcp"],"env":{"KNOWMAN_API_KEY":"<key>"}}}}`

The consent page requests knowman.read for search, read and ask, and knowman.write for saving links. Access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically.

## Questions

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

Yes. KnowMan runs locally with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` through Claude Desktop's local `command` and `args` configuration, and also as a hosted server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp with OAuth sign-in or an API key, so you can add it to a client that accepts only remote MCP servers. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

### Can I use knowman login instead of an API key?

Yes. Run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once. The saved credential is shared by the CLI and MCP server, so you can remove the `env` block from the Claude Desktop config. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

### Where is Claude Desktop's MCP config file?

Use `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` on macOS, `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` on Windows, or `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` on Linux. See the [Claude Desktop local server guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/2026-07-28/develop/connect-local-servers).

### Which tools does KnowMan expose to Claude Desktop?

KnowMan exposes `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories`. They cover search, cited answers, item retrieval, saving, recent items, and saved memories. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## Related pages

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

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

- [How to Give Your AI Context from What You Read](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context)

## More in this topic

- [KnowMan MCP server for Codex](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/codex)
- [Connect KnowMan to Cline](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/cline)
- [KnowMan MCP server for Continue](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/continue)

## More for Claude Desktop

- [How to give Claude Desktop better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-desktop-memory)
- [How to teach Claude Desktop your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-claude-desktop-your-knowledge)

## Connect your saved knowledge to Claude

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