Common questions
Everything you need to know about Hjarni. Can't find your answer? Email evert@hjarni.com.
Getting started
What is Hjarni?
A simple knowledge base that gives ChatGPT and Claude long-term memory. Write notes in Markdown. Connect your AI via a built-in MCP server.
How does Hjarni work?
You write notes. Your AI reads them. Hjarni has a built-in MCP server — ChatGPT and Claude search, read, and create notes directly. No plugins. No export steps.
Is this just another note-taking app?
No. It's a knowledge base your AI can actually use. Your notes become live context for every AI conversation.
Who is Hjarni for?
Anyone tired of re-explaining context to their AI. Developers, researchers, founders, writers, and teams.
What does Hjarni mean?
Old Norse for brain. It's what the product does — give your AI a brain it can use across conversations.
AI and MCP
What's MCP?
Model Context Protocol. An open standard that lets AI assistants connect to external tools and data. Hjarni has a built-in MCP server. Your AI reads and writes your notes directly.
Which AI assistants work with Hjarni?
ChatGPT and Claude connect via MCP today. Any AI that supports MCP will work automatically. Others can use the REST API.
How do I give my AI a memory?
Add Hjarni as an MCP server in ChatGPT or Claude. Takes two minutes. Every conversation picks up where the last one left off.
Can I control how my AI uses my notes?
Yes. Set custom AI instructions on any folder, team, or your whole account. Your AI follows your conventions. Not its defaults.
Does Hjarni have its own AI?
No. You bring your own. That means no per-message costs, no token limits, no surprises on your bill.
Does Hjarni work with Gemini?
Not yet. Gemini doesn't support MCP yet. When it does, it will work with Hjarni automatically.
MCP configuration
What is an MCP config file?
A JSON file that tells an MCP client like Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or Cursor which servers to connect to. The standard shape is a top-level "mcpServers" object where each key is a server name.
Where is claude_desktop_config.json stored?
On macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. On Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json. Claude Desktop creates the file the first time you open Settings, Developer, Edit Config.
Is the MCP Config Validator safe to use with real API keys?
Yes. Validation runs entirely in your browser with JavaScript. Your API keys, tokens, and environment variables never leave the page, and nothing is sent to our servers.
What is the difference between a local and a remote MCP server?
A local (stdio) server runs as a subprocess on your machine and uses "command" and "args". A remote server runs on the internet and uses "url" with an "http" or "sse" transport. A single server entry cannot use both "command" and "url" at the same time.
Why do MCP servers need -y when launched with npx?
Without "-y", npx prompts interactively on first run to confirm package installation. MCP clients cannot answer that prompt, so the server fails to start. Adding "-y" (or "--yes") skips the prompt so the server boots cleanly.
Features
Why not Notion or Obsidian?
Great tools. Different goals. Hjarni is built from the ground up for AI. Custom instructions per folder. Team-wide AI conventions. An MCP server designed around your knowledge — not bolted onto a workspace.
Which note-taking apps have a native MCP server?
Hjarni and Notion both ship with one built in. No plugins, no manual export, no copy-paste.
Can I collaborate with others?
Yes. Create a team, invite members, share folders. Everyone's AI benefits from the shared knowledge.
Does Hjarni support file attachments?
Yes, on the Pro plan. PDFs, images, documents. Drop them on any note.
Can I import my Obsidian vault?
Yes. Zip your vault folder and upload it from the Import page. Folder structure, frontmatter, wiki-links, and embedded attachments all come across. Any folder of Markdown files works, not just Obsidian.
Pricing
Is Hjarni free?
Yes. 25 notes with full API and MCP access. No trial. No expiration.
How much does Pro cost?
Starts at €9/month. Unlimited notes, file attachments, and public folder links.
How much does Teams cost?
Starts at €12/seat/month. Shared knowledge base with member management.
Privacy and data
What happens to my data?
Your notes live on our servers. Export everything as Markdown anytime. We don't train AI on your data. We don't sell it. It's yours.
Can I export my notes?
Yes. Export everything as Markdown in a ZIP. Anytime. No lock-in.
Can I self-host Hjarni?
Not currently. It's a hosted service. That keeps things simple — for you and for us.
Related pages
Write once. You both remember.
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Give your AI a memoryWorks with Claude and ChatGPT today. Gemini coming soon.