Add the KnowMan server
For Cline's IDE extension, open the Cline panel, select the MCP Servers icon, open Configure, then select Configure MCP Servers. Add the entry under mcpServers in the settings JSON, following Cline's configuration instructions.
For the Cline CLI, run cline mcp to open its MCP wizard. The CLI stores MCP configuration at ~/.cline/data/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json; CLINE_MCP_SETTINGS_PATH can override that location. See Cline's MCP overview.
Sign in to KnowMan
Create a key in KnowMan at Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent, or run npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login and authorize in the browser. The CLI and MCP server share the saved credential, so after signing in once you can remove the env block from the config. Read about connecting an AI agent to KnowMan.
Check the connection
Confirm the server starts and its tools appear in Cline, then test one tool call. Cline documents checking that tools are listed and trying a call in its MCP overview.
If the server does not respond
Check the configured command and server process. Cline lets you restart unresponsive servers from MCP settings. For connection checks, see Cline's MCP overview.
KnowMan's MCP server uses a Bearer key in the KNOWMAN_API_KEY environment variable when configured with an environment block. See the KnowMan MCP server setup.
KnowMan tools in Cline
KnowMan provides kb_search to search saved items, kb_ask to answer with citations, and kb_get_item to read one item's content. Learn about KnowMan's MCP server.
kb_save saves a URL with an optional note, kb_recent returns recent items, and kb_memories provides saved claims, decisions, and playbooks. Learn about connecting AI agents to KnowMan.
Local server and key handling
KnowMan's MCP server is a local stdio process that talks to KnowMan's HTTP API with a Bearer key. Read the KnowMan MCP server setup.
Cline recommends storing secrets in environment variables, limiting autoApprove to safe tools, and reviewing tool calls before approval. See Cline's MCP overview.
Questions people ask
Where do I add the config in Cline?
In the IDE extension, use the MCP Servers icon, Configure tab, and Configure MCP Servers button, then edit the JSON under mcpServers. The Cline CLI uses ~/.cline/data/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json by default. See Cline's MCP overview.
Can I sign in without putting an API key in Cline's config?
Yes. Run npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login and authorize in your browser. The CLI and MCP server share the saved credential, so you can omit the env block. See the KnowMan MCP server setup.
Which tools will KnowMan add to Cline?
KnowMan provides kb_search, kb_ask, kb_get_item, kb_save, kb_recent, and kb_memories. These search saved items, answer with citations, read an item, save a URL, return recent items, and provide saved memories. Learn about KnowMan's MCP server.
Does KnowMan connect to Cline through a remote server?
No. KnowMan's MCP server is a local stdio process that communicates with KnowMan's HTTP API. Cline supports local STDIO servers, and KnowMan's MCP server setup is described here.