# Connect KnowMan to JetBrains AI Assistant

Client: JetBrains AI Assistant

Add KnowMan as a local STDIO MCP server in JetBrains [AI Assistant](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context) using its JSON configuration. [JetBrains AI Assistant supports STDIO servers launched as subprocesses](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html), and [KnowMan starts with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` using Node 22 or newer](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base). [Sign in once with `knowman login`]( /guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base ) to share a saved credential with the MCP server.

## JetBrains AI Assistant JSON configuration

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

## Add the KnowMan server

Open Settings | Tools | AI Assistant | [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server), then click Add. You can also open MCP settings from chat by typing `/` and selecting Add Command. [JetBrains documents both paths](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

Select the JSON configuration connection method and enter the snippet above. JetBrains uses `mcpServers` with `command` and `args` for local servers, and supports launching an uninstalled server with `npx`. [See the JetBrains configuration guide](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

## Sign in once with knowman login

The JSON snippet shows `"KNOWMAN_API_KEY": "km_..."` as a placeholder. Create a key in KnowMan under Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent, or run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once. The CLI and MCP server share the saved credential, so after login you can remove the `env` block. [KnowMan MCP setup](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

KnowMan’s open-source MCP client runs locally over stdio with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` and communicates with KnowMan’s HTTP API. KnowMan also offers a hosted remote MCP server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. [KnowMan MCP setup](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## Apply and check the connection

Click OK, then Apply to start the configured server and establish a connection. Check the Status column for connection status. [JetBrains setup steps](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

After connection succeeds, select the icon in the Status column to review available tools. [JetBrains shows tools there](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

## Reconnect or inspect logs

To reconnect, select the server and click Reconnect. [JetBrains documents this action](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

For server logs, open the `mcp` folder inside the IDE logs directory. [JetBrains identifies this log location](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

## KnowMan tools in JetBrains AI Assistant

KnowMan exposes six tools: `kb_search` searches [saved items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/how-to-save-articles), `kb_ask` [answers questions](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-knowledge-base) with citations, and `kb_get_item` retrieves one item’s readable content. [KnowMan MCP tool list](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

`kb_save` saves a URL with an optional note, `kb_recent` lists [recent items](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base), and `kb_memories` lists [saved claims, decisions, and playbooks](https://www.knowman.io/guides/ai-agent-memory). [KnowMan MCP tool list](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## If setup options are missing

The MCP Server plugin is bundled and enabled by default in JetBrains IDEs. If the relevant features are unavailable, check whether the plugin was disabled. [JetBrains plugin note](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

An organization administrator may centrally manage MCP servers and control whether users can add their own. [JetBrains describes administrator controls](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

## Use the hosted KnowMan server

For JetBrains AI Assistant, in clients that support remote MCP servers, add the server URL https://api.knowman.io/mcp. Sign in on the KnowMan consent page and approve access, or use an API key sent as an `Authorization: Bearer <key>` header.

After connecting, ask the assistant to search or save, for example, “search my KnowMan for …” or “save this URL.” KnowMan’s MCP tools include search, ask, reading items, saving links, recent items, and memories.

## Questions

### Does KnowMan use local or remote MCP in JetBrains?

KnowMan’s MCP server uses local stdio, launched as a subprocess. JetBrains AI Assistant supports local STDIO servers. [JetBrains MCP documentation](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

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

No. After `knowman login`, the CLI and MCP server share the saved credential, so the `env` block can be removed. [KnowMan MCP setup](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

### How do I see which KnowMan tools are available?

After the connection succeeds, click the icon in the Status column to review the server’s available tools. [JetBrains MCP documentation](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html). KnowMan’s available tools include `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, and `kb_get_item`. [KnowMan MCP tool list](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

### Where can I find MCP server logs?

Open the `mcp` folder inside the IDE logs directory. [JetBrains MCP documentation](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html). The folder contains logs for each configured MCP server. [JetBrains MCP documentation](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/mcp.html).

## Related pages

- [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)

- [What Is a Knowledge Base for AI Agents?](https://www.knowman.io/guides/knowledge-base-for-ai-agents)

## More in this topic

- [Add the KnowMan MCP server to Roo Code](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/roo-code)
- [KnowMan MCP server for Kilo Code](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/kilo-code)
- [Connect KnowMan to Kiro](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/kiro)

## More for JetBrains AI Assistant

- [How to set up JetBrains AI Assistant rules](https://www.knowman.io/guides/jetbrains-memory)
- [How to teach JetBrains AI Assistant your knowledge](https://www.knowman.io/guides/teach-jetbrains-your-knowledge)

## Give your AI saved context

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Source: https://www.knowman.io/integrations/jetbrains