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Files and documents · MCP server

Knolo: MCP server, setup and security

Knolo is an open-source MCP server published on GitHub that lets an AI agent retrieve verified information from pinned Knolo Knowledge Images locally. Its repository has 51 stars and its last commit is from October 16, 2026 and it is licensed under Apache-2.0.

Actively maintainedSystem access

What Knolo does

According to its repository: “Verified, local-first retrieval over pinned Knolo Knowledge Images.”

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard plug between an AI agent and an outside service: once the server is connected, its tools show up in the agent, which decides when to call them. Knolo is listed under Files and documents, a category of 55 servers in the directory, where it ranks #32 by stars.

Topics declared by the repository: document-retrieval, edge-ai, edge-computing, knowledge-base, lexical-search, local-first.

Installing and connecting Knolo

Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:

  • npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx)

It works with any MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and most recent agents). You add one entry to the client's MCP configuration: server name, start command or URL, environment variables. Project language: JavaScript.

Security: what to check

Connecting an MCP server means installing software that talks straight to your agent: it runs with your rights and the model trusts its tool descriptions. The risk therefore depends on what it can touch and how far its code can be trusted.

Points found for Knolo:

  • System access: the Files and documents category gives the agent control over files, a terminal, code or a browser. A booby-trapped instruction in content the agent reads (prompt injection) can then turn into an action.

Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.

Project activity and maintenance

Created on August 24, 2025, the HiveForensics-AI/knolo-core repository has 51 stars and 11 forks, with 2 open issues. It has more stars than 52% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 0.1.0 (October 13, 2026).

Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.

MarkitdownMarkitdown : 191.9K191.9KPuterPuter : 43.9K43.9KFilestashFilestash : 14.8K14.8KRevoGrid DataGrid MCPRevoGrid DataGrid MCP : 3.5K3.5KDocling MCPDocling MCP : 777777MCP filesystem serverMCP filesystem server : 692692Haiku.ragHaiku.rag : 636636MuMu : 436436KnoloKnolo : 5151
GitHub stars of the most followed servers in the category (log scale); Knolo in orange. Checked October 25, 2026.

Verdict

Knolo is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.

Strengths

  • Active project: recent commit
  • Listed in the official MCP registry
  • Permissive licence (Apache-2.0)

Avoid if…

  • You cannot isolate the agent (sandbox, container)

Frequently asked questions

How do I install Knolo?

Knolo is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of HiveForensics-AI/knolo-core.

Is Knolo free?

The code is published under the Apache-2.0 licence and can be used free of charge.

Is Knolo safe?

Points to watch: system access. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.

Is it an official server?

Nothing says so: it is a project published by HiveForensics-AI on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.

What are the alternatives to Knolo?

In the same category: Markitdown, Puter, Filestash, and RevoGrid DataGrid MCP. Markitdown and Puter score higher on our grid.

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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score