# Connect Claude to your knowledge base Client: Claude Open Customize > Connectors in Claude, click "+ Add" and "Add custom connector", and enter the [remote MCP](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) server URL `https://api.knowman.io/mcp`, following [Anthropic's connector steps](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp). KnowMan's documented path is to add the server URL, [sign in](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base), and approve ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). After connecting, ask Claude to "search my KnowMan for ..." or "save this URL" ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## Server URL for Claude's Add custom connector dialog ```text https://api.knowman.io/mcp ``` ## What you need before you start You need a KnowMan account, created at `https://app.knowman.io`, as listed in the [KnowMan MCP setup](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp). On the Claude side, custom connectors using remote MCP are available on Claude, Cowork, and Claude Desktop for users on Free, Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, and Enterprise plans, and Free users are limited to one custom connector, per [Anthropic's documentation](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp). MCP, the [Model Context Protocol](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server), is an open standard, created by Anthropic, for AI applications to connect to tools and data ([Anthropic](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp)). ## Add a custom connector in Claude Navigate to Customize > Connectors, then click "+ Add" and "Add custom connector", as documented by [Anthropic](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp). Enter a name for the connector; this is the name users see in the connectors list. Add the connector's remote MCP server URL and click "Continue", then review the authentication settings Claude detected and change them if your server needs something different ([Anthropic's documentation](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp)). For KnowMan, the URL is `https://api.knowman.io/mcp`, a hosted remote MCP server that communicates over Streamable HTTP ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## Sign in with KnowMan Under Authentication, choose how people connect to the server: "Sign in now", "Sign in when needed", or "No sign in". Under OAuth client, choose "Use Claude's published identity (Recommended)", "Register automatically", or "Use your own OAuth client". Both settings are described in [Anthropic's documentation](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp). Which option suits KnowMan is not documented for either setting. KnowMan's documented path is: add the server URL, sign in, approve. The client opens a KnowMan consent page requesting the scopes knowman.read (search, read, ask) and knowman.write ([save links](https://www.knowman.io/guides/best-bookmark-manager)). Access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). To disconnect, delete the app's "OAuth: " entry in your KnowMan API-keys list. Changing your KnowMan password disconnects every app ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## Or connect with an API key If your MCP server authenticates with an API key, bearer token, or other fixed credential instead of OAuth, you add it under Request headers, per [Anthropic's documentation](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp). KnowMan accepts an API key sent as `Authorization: Bearer ` ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). Keys are created in KnowMan settings, and a key cannot create other keys ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## What to ask Claude once connected Enable connectors for a conversation via the "+" button on the lower left of the chat interface ([Anthropic](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp)). Then ask things like "search my KnowMan for ..." or "save this URL" ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). The server exposes six tools: `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories` ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## The local server option for Claude Desktop Claude connects to your remote MCP server from Anthropic's cloud infrastructure, rather than from your local device ([Anthropic](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp)). That is why the hosted URL is the one to enter as a custom connector. KnowMan also ships a local stdio server, the npm package @knowman/mcp, started with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` on Node 22 or newer ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). For Claude Desktop, the documented local config entry is `{"mcpServers":{"knowman":{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@knowman/mcp"],"env":{"KNOWMAN_API_KEY":""}}}}` ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## Where KnowMan fits KnowMan saves articles and links, reads and tags them, [answers questions](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base) with citations, and keeps memories such as claims, decisions and playbooks. If you also use Claude Code or other clients, see [Claude and your knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-knowledge-base), [Claude Code with KnowMan](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-code-knowledge-base), and [an MCP server for your knowledge base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base). For a wider view, see [connect any AI to your notes](https://www.knowman.io/guides/connect-any-ai-to-your-notes) and [give your AI context](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context). ## Questions ### Do I need a paid Claude plan to add KnowMan? No. Custom connectors using remote MCP are available on Claude, Cowork, and Claude Desktop for users on Free, Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, and Enterprise plans ([Anthropic](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp)). Free users are limited to one custom connector. ### What URL do I enter for the KnowMan connector? Enter `https://api.knowman.io/mcp` as the connector's remote MCP server URL and click "Continue" ([Anthropic](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp)). The hosted KnowMan server communicates over Streamable HTTP ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ### How do I disconnect Claude from KnowMan? Delete the app's "OAuth: " entry in your KnowMan API-keys list. Changing your KnowMan password disconnects every app ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ### Can Claude save links to KnowMan? Yes. The server exposes a `kb_save` tool ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). After connecting, say "save this URL" in the chat, which is the documented way to ask the assistant to save ([KnowMan MCP](https://github.com/Essatt/knowman-mcp)). ## Related pages - [How to Build a Claude Knowledge Base](https://www.knowman.io/guides/claude-knowledge-base) - [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) - [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 Google Antigravity](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/antigravity) - [KnowMan MCP server for GitHub Copilot CLI](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/github-copilot-cli) - [Can Grok Bot use your own knowledge base?](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/grok-bot-knowledge-base) ## Ask Claude about what you saved Try [KnowMan Pro free for 14 days](https://app.knowman.io/signup), no credit card needed. [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/connect-claude-ai-to-your-knowledge-base