Add the KnowMan server in MCP Settings
Users whose role allows it can click Add MCP (the + button) in MCP Settings to register a remote server without editing librechat.yaml or restarting (LibreChat docs). The form takes a Name, an optional Description and icon, an MCP Server URL, and a Transport of Streamable HTTPS or SSE (LibreChat docs). For KnowMan, enter https://api.knowman.io/mcp, the hosted Streamable HTTP server (knowman-mcp).
Check I trust this application and click Create. The server is available right away (LibreChat docs).
Sign in once: OAuth or a KnowMan API key
For Authentication, None (Auto-detect) makes LibreChat probe the server and switch to OAuth if the server asks for it (LibreChat docs). KnowMan's hosted server supports OAuth: you approve the knowman.read and knowman.write scopes on a KnowMan consent page, and access tokens last one hour and refresh automatically (knowman-mcp).
To use a key instead, pick API Key and Header Format Bearer, then paste a KnowMan key (LibreChat docs). Keys look like km_... and are created at Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent, or by running npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login once, a browser sign-in whose saved credential is shared by the knowman CLI and the local MCP server (knowman-mcp). Check Each user provides their own key so every user enters theirs through Configure (LibreChat docs).
Turn the server on in a chat or on an agent
In a chat, open the composer's + palette (Attach and tools), look under MCP Servers, and click knowman to turn it on for the conversation (LibreChat docs). Pick a model that supports tool calls, or the model will never call the server's tools (LibreChat docs).
To give an agent the tools, open the Agent Builder, click Add next to Tools to open the Tool Library, then filter to MCP servers (LibreChat docs). A server can add or remove tools while it runs, and LibreChat picks up the new list without a restart (LibreChat docs).
Check the connection
Each server shows a colored status dot: grey when it is disconnected, amber when it needs you to sign in (LibreChat docs). Disconnected or Error means there is no live connection, or the last attempt failed. Use Connect to try again; you can fix the issue and connect again, there is no need to remove and re-add the server (LibreChat docs).
Then ask your assistant to search or save, for example search my KnowMan for recent items (knowman-mcp). Idle connections close after 15 minutes by default and reopen the next time you use the server (LibreChat docs).
Common problems
An amber dot means the server needs you to sign in; a server using OAuth sends you through sign-in, and one that needs your credentials opens a dialog (LibreChat docs). An OAuth sign-in must finish within 10 minutes before the attempt times out, and an admin can change this (LibreChat docs).
If an agent run starts while its MCP tools are unavailable, the run stops with an error telling you to check the connection and your access, rather than answering without the tools (LibreChat docs).
On the KnowMan side, API keys are created at Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent in the web app (knowman-mcp).
The six KnowMan tools
Once connected, the server exposes six tools (knowman-mcp). kb_search searches saved items by keyword or meaning and returns titles, URLs and metadata. kb_ask answers questions with citations. kb_get_item returns the readable content of one item. kb_save saves a URL to the Inbox or the Knowledge Base with an optional note. kb_recent lists recently saved items. kb_memories lists saved claims, decisions and playbooks.
The same package ships the knowman CLI, which drives the same tools from a terminal (knowman-mcp).
Hosted server or local stdio
KnowMan runs two servers: the hosted remote server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp over Streamable HTTP, and a local stdio server started with npx -y @knowman/mcp on Node 22 or newer (knowman-mcp). The package is listed in the official MCP Registry as io.github.Essatt/knowman-mcp (MCP Registry).
LibreChat's Add MCP form registers remote servers with Streamable HTTPS or SSE transports, so this page walks through the hosted server (LibreChat docs). For other clients, see connect any AI to your notes.
Questions people ask
How do I add the KnowMan MCP server to LibreChat?
Open MCP Settings and click Add MCP (the + button), available to users whose role allows it. Fill in a Name and the MCP Server URL https://api.knowman.io/mcp, pick a Transport, check I trust this application, and click Create; the server is available right away (LibreChat docs).
Where do I get a KnowMan API key?
Open Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent in the KnowMan web app and create a key; keys look like km_... (knowman-mcp). You can also run npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login once, a browser sign-in that saves a credential shared by the knowman CLI and the local MCP server (knowman-mcp).
Can LibreChat use OAuth with KnowMan?
LibreChat's OAuth option takes Client ID, Client Secret, Authorization URL, Token URL, and Scope, and the client fields can be left empty for dynamic client registration (LibreChat docs). KnowMan's hosted server signs in with OAuth: the consent page asks for the knowman.read and knowman.write scopes, and access tokens refresh automatically (knowman-mcp).
Why does the KnowMan server show a grey or amber dot?
Grey means the server is disconnected, amber means it needs you to sign in (LibreChat docs). Use Connect to retry after fixing an issue; there is no need to remove and re-add the server (LibreChat docs).