Connect AI assistants to Knowen

Knowen provides an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that lets AI assistants read, search, and write your knowledge graph directly. Connect Claude Desktop or Claude Code in minutes.

How it works

The Knowen MCP server at https://mcp.knowen.org/mcp exposes your knowledge graph as a set of tools that AI assistants can call. Your client signs in via OAuth (Claude Desktop's custom connector) or authenticates with your personal API token, and every operation runs with your permissions - private trees stay private.

Prerequisites

1. A Knowen account. Sign up at knowen.org if you don't have one yet.
2. An API token. Go to Settings → API Tokens to create one. It authenticates your MCP client on every request. (Claude Desktop doesn't need one — it connects via OAuth below.)
3. An MCP-compatible client. Any tool that supports the MCP Streamable HTTP transport can connect.

Setup guides

Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop connects as a custom connector using OAuth — no API token needed.

1. Open Settings → Connectors in Claude on the web or desktop. Custom connectors can't be added from the mobile app, though once added they should be available there.
2. Click Add custom connector (it may be under "Browse connectors" or an "Add" menu, depending on your plan).
3. Enter a name, such as Knowen , and paste the server URL:

   https://mcp.knowen.org/mcp

4. Save it, then click Connect . You'll be sent to Knowen to log in and approve access.
5. In a new chat, open the tools/connectors menu and switch Knowen on for that conversation.

Claude Code

Add the Knowen server with one command:

claude mcp add knowen https://mcp.knowen.org/mcp --transport http --scope user --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KNOWEN_API_TOKEN"

Replace YOUR_KNOWEN_API_TOKEN with your token from Settings → API Tokens .

Claude Code plugin for VS Code

1. Install the Claude Code plugin from the Extensions section of VS Code.
2. Open the plugin.
3. Click the / icon to open the command menu, or press / on your keyboard.
4. Scroll down to Customize → MCP servers and click it.
5. Click Add server .
6. Fill in the form, then click Add server :

   Name	Knowen
   Transport	HTTP (remote)
   URL	https://mcp.knowen.org/mcp
   Headers	Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KNOWEN_API_TOKEN
   Scope	user

7. Open a new session, go to Customize → MCP servers , and make sure Knowen's status is Connected .

Cursor

Cursor supports the Streamable HTTP transport. You can configure it via a config file or through the UI — both methods work in the editor and the Cursor CLI (agent).

1. Via mcp.json (recommended). Add the Knowen server to your project's .cursor/mcp.json (project scope) or ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global/all projects):

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "knowen": {
         "url": "https://mcp.knowen.org/mcp",
         "headers": {
           "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_KNOWEN_API_TOKEN"
         }
       }
     }
   }

   Replace YOUR_KNOWEN_API_TOKEN with your token from Settings → API Tokens .

2. Via the UI:
   1. Open Cursor and go to Customize → MCP .
   2. Click Add new MCP server .
   3. Choose the scope: User = available in all your projects (global), Workspace = only this project.
   4. Cursor opens the mcp.json file. Paste the following:

      {
        "mcpServers": {
          "knowen": {
            "url": "https://mcp.knowen.org/mcp"
          }
        }
      }

   5. Option A: Add the Authorization header yourself. Inside the knowen entry, add: "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_KNOWEN_API_TOKEN" } .

      Token from Settings → API Tokens .

   6. Option B: Omit the header entirely and connect via OAuth . When the server first connects, Cursor will prompt you to sign in and approve access on the Knowen page (like the Claude Desktop flow).
   7. Save the file and confirm the status dot next to Knowen turns green.

Note: The Cursor CLI (agent) reads the same mcp.json , so one configuration covers both the editor and CLI.

ChatGPT

ChatGPT connects to Knowen through its remote MCP connection (Plugins) — the same public HTTPS endpoint, no local process. On first connection, you'll be asked to authorize with your Knowen API token: Settings → API Tokens .

1. Enable Developer mode in ChatGPT on the web: Settings → Security and login → Developer mode .

   The exact menu path can vary by plan — on some workspaces it lives under Settings → Apps / Advanced settings.

2. Open ChatGPT → Plugins , click Add , then choose Create MCP-app .
3. Fill in the details:

   Name	Knowen
   Description	Access and manage my Knowen knowledge graph.
   MCP server URL	https://mcp.knowen.org/mcp

4. Save — ChatGPT connects to the endpoint and discovers the Knowen tools. You'll then be asked to authorize: you'll be sent to Knowen to sign in and approve access with your Knowen API token .
5. Start a new chat , pick Knowen from the tools menu (or use @Knowen where available) and try e.g. @Knowen search my knowledge graph for machine learning .

ChatGPT decides which Knowen tool to call from the tool names and descriptions — write operations may ask for your confirmation before running.

Other MCP Clients

Any MCP client that supports the Streamable HTTP transport can connect to Knowen. Use these connection details:

Refer to your client's documentation for how to add a remote MCP server.Most clients accept a JSON configuration similar to the examples above.

Getting your API token

Go to Settings → API Tokens and click "New API token." Copy it right away — it is shown only once. The token carries your account's access, so keep it secret and revoke it any time from the same page.

Troubleshooting

"Authentication required" errors

Verify your token is correct and hasn't been revoked. Regenerate it from Settings → API Tokens if needed.

My client can't see my private trees

Make sure the token was created while signed in to the account that ownsthose trees, and that it hasn't been revoked. Create a fresh token from Settings → API Tokens if needed.

Connection refused or timeout

Ensure your network allows outbound HTTPS to mcp.knowen.org . Some corporate firewalls block unknown domains.

Tools not appearing in my client

Restart your MCP client after adding the server configuration. Some clientscache the tool list and need a fresh connection to discover new tools.

Need help? Contact us at info@knowen.org or visit the API documentation .