Add the remote server
Open Settings > Admin > Integrations. Under External Tool Servers, select + Add Connection, set Type to MCP (Streamable HTTP), enter the server URL and authentication details, then save. Open WebUI documents these steps.
Use https://api.knowman.io/mcp as the remote URL. KnowMan supports Streamable HTTP with OAuth sign-in or an API key.
Sign in once with KnowMan
For OAuth, select an OAuth 2.1 authentication mode if offered by your Open WebUI setup. KnowMan's OAuth flow opens a consent page; sign in and approve access there. Open WebUI documents OAuth 2.1 connection options, and KnowMan documents OAuth consent for its hosted server.
Alternatively, create a KnowMan API key in the web app under Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent, then enter only the key in Open WebUI's Key field with Bearer authentication. Open WebUI requires the server's API token in the Key field; KnowMan keys use the km_ prefix.
Verify the connection
For an OAuth 2.1 connection, use Check OAuth Discovery beside the URL. A successful result means Open WebUI found the authorization server; it does not list or call tools. Open WebUI describes this check.
After saving, restart Open WebUI if prompted. The setup guide documents this prompt.
Check admin settings
Only administrators can add MCP servers under Settings > Admin > Integrations. Open WebUI documents this restriction.
If External Tool Servers is greyed out, check whether ENABLE_TOOL_SERVERS is set to False. Open WebUI documents this setting.
Choose the MCP connection type
Set Type to MCP (Streamable HTTP), not OpenAPI. Open WebUI's MCP support uses Streamable HTTP. Open WebUI documents the type requirement.
Do not paste mcpServers JSON into an OpenAPI connection. Open WebUI says this can crash the UI or leave it loading. See its MCP setup guide.
Use KnowMan tools
KnowMan exposes six tools: kb_search finds saved items, kb_ask answers questions with citations, kb_get_item reads an item, kb_save saves a URL, kb_recent lists recent items, and kb_memories lists saved claims, decisions, and playbooks. The KnowMan MCP project documents these tools.
You can ask the assistant to search your KnowMan library or save a URL. A model may ignore available tools or send incorrect arguments even when the connection works. Open WebUI notes this behavior.
New to MCP? Read what an MCP server is, or see Open WebUI and your knowledge base.
Questions people ask
Can Open WebUI connect to a local stdio KnowMan server?
Open WebUI documents MCP connections using Streamable HTTP, and its guide does not give steps for adding local stdio servers. See the Open WebUI MCP documentation. KnowMan also provides a hosted Streamable HTTP server at https://api.knowman.io/mcp. KnowMan MCP documentation.
Which authentication should I use?
Use OAuth 2.1 if you want to sign in and approve KnowMan access, or use Bearer authentication with only a KnowMan API key in the Key field. Open WebUI documents these authentication options; KnowMan supports OAuth and Bearer API keys.
Why should I not use an OpenAPI connection?
KnowMan is an MCP server, so set the connection type to MCP (Streamable HTTP). Open WebUI warns that MCP-style JSON in an OpenAPI connection can crash the UI or show an infinite loading screen. Open WebUI explains the distinction.