# KnowMan MCP server for Windsurf

Client: Windsurf

Add KnowMan to Windsurf as a local [stdio server](https://www.knowman.io/guides/what-is-an-mcp-server) in `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json`. Start it with `npx -y @knowman/mcp` and provide `KNOWMAN_API_KEY`, or [sign in](https://www.knowman.io/guides/personal-knowledge-base) once with `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` and omit the `env` block.

## Windsurf mcp_config.json

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

## What Windsurf needs for a local MCP server

Windsurf Cascade supports stdio, Streamable HTTP, and SSE transports. [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp) describes `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` as the JSON file that lists servers Cascade can connect to. The documented example sets up a server as a local stdio-style entry, and the documented config fields include `command`, `args`, `env`, `serverUrl`, `url`, and `headers`, with [environment variable](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) interpolation supported in those fields. See [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp).

## Create or copy a KnowMan API key

In the KnowMan web app, go to Settings > Connections > Connect an AI agent to create a key. The KnowMan MCP server reads the key from the `KNOWMAN_API_KEY` environment variable, and keys look like `km_`. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## Add KnowMan to mcp_config.json

Open `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` and add the configuration shown on this page. The Windsurf example uses a local server entry, and the documented config fields include `command`, `args`, and `env`, with environment variable interpolation supported in those fields. See [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp).

## Sign in once with knowman login

Run `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once for browser sign-in. The saved credential is shared by the KnowMan CLI and the MCP server, so you can drop the `env` block from the Windsurf config. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## KnowMan tools available in Windsurf

The KnowMan MCP server provides `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories`. Windsurf supports an MCP server's tools, resources, and prompts, and Cascade can access up to 100 tools at once. See [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp) and the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

## Troubleshoot Windsurf MCP setup

Confirm that the server uses `npx -y @knowman/mcp` and that Windsurf is reading the expected config file. [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp) says to provide the required arguments and environment variables for each configured server. You can also toggle individual tools on or off on each MCP's settings page. See [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp).

## Where this configuration comes from

Windsurf's own documentation site now redirects to Devin Desktop documentation, so this page uses the last copy of Windsurf's MCP page that is still available, an [archived copy from January 2026](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp). If the config path in your version of Windsurf differs, open its MCP settings and use the path it shows.

## Questions

### Can Windsurf use the KnowMan MCP server?

Yes. Windsurf supports stdio MCP servers, and KnowMan is a local stdio server. [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp) lists stdio among its supported transport types. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

### Do I need KNOWMAN_API_KEY in the Windsurf config?

You can omit it after running `npx -p @knowman/mcp knowman login` once. The saved credential is shared by the CLI and the MCP server, so the `env` block can be dropped. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

### Can I add KnowMan through the Windsurf MCP Marketplace?

Windsurf provides an MCP Marketplace for adding servers, and it also allows a missing server to be added by editing the raw `mcp_config.json` file. See [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp) and the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base).

### Which KnowMan tools can Cascade use?

KnowMan provides `kb_search`, `kb_ask`, `kb_get_item`, `kb_save`, `kb_recent`, and `kb_memories`. Windsurf supports an MCP server's tools, resources, and prompts. See the [KnowMan MCP server guide](https://www.knowman.io/guides/mcp-server-knowledge-base) and [Windsurf MCP documentation](https://web.archive.org/web/20260107184155/https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp).

## 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)

- [How to Give Your AI Context from What You Read](https://www.knowman.io/guides/give-your-ai-context)

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

## More in this topic

- [KnowMan MCP server for GitHub Copilot](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/github-copilot)
- [Connect KnowMan to Cline](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/cline)
- [KnowMan MCP server for Continue](https://www.knowman.io/integrations/continue)

## More for Windsurf

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

## Give Windsurf your saved knowledge

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