# KnowMan MCP server for Hermes Agent

Client: Hermes Agent

[Add KnowMan to Hermes Agent](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-hermes-your-knowledge) as a local stdio [MCP server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) with `hermes mcp add`, then reload Hermes and test the server. KnowMan exposes six tools for searching, asking, reading, saving, listing [recent items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base), and reading memories.

## Hermes Agent config.yaml

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  knowman:
    command: npx
    args: ["-y", "@knowman/mcp"]
    env:
      KNOWMAN_API_KEY: "km_..."
```

## Add KnowMan to Hermes Agent

Hermes Agent supports [local stdio MCP servers](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server). Its `hermes mcp add` command takes the executable through `--command` and arguments through `--args`, as shown in the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

Use `npx -y @knowman/mcp` to start [the KnowMan MCP package](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base). It requires Node.js 22 or newer, and Hermes must have `npx` available. See the [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

## Use the Hermes config file

Hermes stores MCP servers under the top-level `mcp_servers` key in `config.yaml`. A stdio server uses `command` and `args`, while environment variables go under `env`, according to the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

You can edit `config.yaml` instead of using the interactive add prompt. The KnowMan MCP server is local stdio, so use `command`, `args`, and `env`, not the `url` and `headers` used for remote HTTP servers. See the [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

## Sign in once with knowman login

Run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` to open the browser sign-in flow. The saved credential is shared by the KnowMan CLI and MCP server, so the `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` environment block can be dropped after signing in. See the [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

For a headless machine, the browser must run on the same machine as the CLI. If it cannot open a browser, use `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` instead. The [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md) also notes that stored credentials are not yet supported on Windows.

## Reload and verify the connection

After changing MCP configuration, run `/reload-mcp` in Hermes Agent. You can also start a fresh Hermes session after adding a server. See the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

Run `hermes mcp test knowman` to check the configured server. You can also ask Hermes which tools are available, check the Hermes banner or status, and inspect logs if the server did not connect. The [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md) lists these checks.

## Six tools exposed by KnowMan

KnowMan exposes `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories`. They search [saved items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles), [answer questions with citations](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents), read one item, save a URL, list recent items, and list [saved claims, decisions, and playbooks](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-agent-memory). See the [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

Hermes discovers MCP tools at startup or reload time. Its MCP tool names include the server name, so KnowMan tools receive an `mcp_` prefix. See the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

## If the server does not load

Check that `enabled: false` was not left in the configuration. Also check that `npx` exists, the environment values are correct, and the server can reach KnowMan. The [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md) includes these checks for a configured server that loads no tools.

If Hermes is started from `/root` or `/home/...` while using a Windows stdio executable, Windows may show a UNC current-directory warning before the MCP server starts. See the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

## Keep the tool list controlled

Hermes can filter server-native MCP tools with `tools.include` and `tools.exclude`. It can also filter Hermes utility wrappers with `tools.resources` and `tools.prompts`. See the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

The guide warns against connecting a server with a large tool surface when you are not prepared to filter it. KnowMan exposes six named tools, and the [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md) lists their scopes and behavior.

## Questions

### Can Hermes Agent run the KnowMan MCP server?

Yes. Hermes Agent supports local stdio MCP servers, and KnowMan is a local stdio server started with `npx -y @knowman/mcp`. See the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md) and [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

### Do I need KNOWMAN_API_KEY after running knowman login?

No. A successful `knowman login` saves a credential shared by the CLI and MCP server, so you can drop the `env` block. On Windows, stored credentials are not yet supported, so set `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` instead. See the [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

### How do I verify KnowMan in Hermes Agent?

Run `hermes mcp test knowman`, then ask Hermes which tools it has. You can also check the Hermes banner, status, or logs. See the [Hermes MCP guide](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

### Which KnowMan tools can Hermes use?

Hermes can use `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories` through KnowMan. See the [KnowMan MCP documentation](https://github.com/NousResearch/hermes-agent/blob/main/website/docs/guides/use-mcp-with-hermes.md).

## 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)

- [Persistent Memory for AI Agents](https://www.knowman.io/guides/persistent-memory-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

- [Connect KnowMan to OpenClaw](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/openclaw)
- [Add the KnowMan MCP server to Crush](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/crush)
- [Add the KnowMan MCP server to Devin CLI](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/devin-cli)

## More for Hermes Agent

- [How to give Hermes Agent better memory](https://www.knowman.io/guides/hermes-memory)
- [How to teach Hermes Agent your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-hermes-your-knowledge)

## Give Hermes access to your saved knowledge

Try KnowMan Pro for 14 days with no credit card. [Create your account](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/hermes