Introduction

Getting started with Knowns CLI - the knowledge management tool for developers

Introduction

Knowns is a CLI-first knowledge and workflow layer that gives AI persistent memory of your project context. Document once, link everywhere.

Workflow
Init
Tasks & Specs
AI Reads Context
AI Implements
Knowledge Saved

v0.22 brings LSP-based code intelligence, knowns setup for AI platform integrations, granular git tracking toggles, and native Go ONNX embedding (no sidecar needed).

Core Capabilities

Project Memory

2-layer memory (project, global) keeps decisions and patterns across sessions.

Task Management

Tasks with acceptance criteria, plans, status tracking, and time management.

Structured Docs

Nested markdown folders with cross-references and semantic search.

Semantic Search

AI-powered search using native ONNX embedding. Find by meaning, not keywords.

Code Intelligence

LSP-based code navigation: symbols, references, definitions, rename across Go, TS, JS, Python, Rust, and more.

MCP Integration

Full Model Context Protocol server for Claude, Cursor, Kiro & more.

How It Works

Quick Start
Click "Run" to see the demo...

Before & After

Re-explain architecture every session
Paste docs into chat windows
Repeat coding conventions
Clarify decisions made last week
10 min context-setting per session

Latest Releases

See the Changelog for release details.

How To Use These Docs

If you are new to Knowns, read the docs in this order:

  1. Installation — Get Knowns running
  2. Task Management — Create and manage tasks
  3. Workflow — Choose the right workflow
  4. CLI Reference — Full command reference
  5. Feature-specific pages: MCP, Memory, Code Intelligence, Web UI

Prerequisites

Knowns supports multiple install paths. Only the npm-based path requires Node.js 20+. See the Installation Guide for platform-specific instructions.

Quick Start

bash
# Install
curl -fsSL https://knowns.sh/script/install | sh

# Initialize in your project
cd your-project
knowns init

# Create your first task
knowns task create "Setup project" -d "Initial setup" --ac "Dependencies installed"

# Open local UI + AI Chat
knowns browser --open

# (Optional) Auto-setup MCP for AI assistants
knowns mcp setup

Core Concepts

Tasks

Tasks are the primary work items in Knowns. Each task has:

  • Title: Clear summary of what needs to be done
  • Description: Context and requirements
  • Acceptance Criteria: Testable outcomes
  • Status: todo, in-progress, in-review, blocked, on-hold, done, urgent

Documentation

Documentation lives in .knowns/docs/ as Markdown files with frontmatter. Reference docs anywhere using @doc/path syntax.

Memory

Two-layer memory system for persistent AI context:

  • Project memory: Repo-specific patterns, decisions, conventions
  • Global memory: Cross-project preferences and workflow rules

Templates

Code generation with Handlebars (.hbs) templates. Each template can link to documentation for context-aware generation.

Next Steps