Docker
An MCP server that enables AI assistants to manage Docker containers, images, networks, and volumes through a standardized interface. It supports comprehensive operations like container lifecycle management and image pulling while ensuring correct ha
What is Docker?
Docker is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to mcp server that enables ai assistants to manage docker containers, images, networks, and volumes through a standardized interface. it supports comprehensive operations like container lifecycle managem...
An MCP server that enables AI assistants to manage Docker containers, images, networks, and volumes through a standardized interface. It supports comprehensive operations like container lifecycle management and image pulling while ensuring correct ha
This server falls under the Cloud Services and Developer Tools categories on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- An MCP server that enables AI assistants to manage Docker co
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y @alisaitteke/docker-mcpManual Installation
npx -y @alisaitteke/docker-mcpConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Docker
The Docker MCP Server lets AI assistants manage the full lifecycle of Docker containers, images, networks, and volumes through natural language, using the Docker socket for direct daemon communication. It exposes tools for creating, starting, stopping, and removing containers, pulling and building images, creating networks, and streaming container logs — all without leaving the AI chat interface. DevOps engineers and developers use it to deploy containerized services, debug running containers, and orchestrate multi-container setups through conversational commands.
Prerequisites
- Docker Desktop or Docker Engine installed and running on the host machine
- The Docker socket accessible at /var/run/docker.sock (Linux/macOS) or via TCP
- Python 3.10+ and uv or uvx for running the server via PyPI
- An MCP client such as Claude Desktop or Claude Code
- Optional: SSH access to a remote Docker host if using DOCKER_HOST
Run via uvx (recommended, no install needed)
Use uvx to run the Docker MCP server directly from PyPI without a permanent installation.
uvx mcp-server-dockerConfigure Claude Desktop
Add the Docker MCP server to your Claude Desktop configuration. The server uses the Docker socket directly and requires no API keys.
{
"mcpServers": {
"docker": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-server-docker"]
}
}
}Connect to a remote Docker host (optional)
To manage a remote Docker daemon over SSH, set the DOCKER_HOST environment variable in your MCP server config.
{
"mcpServers": {
"docker": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-server-docker"],
"env": {
"DOCKER_HOST": "ssh://[email protected]"
}
}
}
}Alternatively, run via Docker itself
Run the MCP server inside a container, mounting the Docker socket so it can communicate with the host daemon.
docker run -i --rm \
-v /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock \
mcp-server-docker:latestVerify Docker connectivity
Ask Claude to list running containers to confirm the server can reach the Docker daemon.
Docker Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration for the Docker MCP server using uvx with local Docker socket access.
{
"mcpServers": {
"docker": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["mcp-server-docker"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example prompts for managing Docker containers, images, and services.
- "List all running containers and their exposed ports"
- "Deploy an nginx container and expose it on port 9000"
- "Show me the last 50 log lines from the container named web-app"
- "Pull the latest postgres:16 image and create a container with POSTGRES_PASSWORD set"
- "Deploy WordPress with a supporting MySQL container, exposing WordPress on port 8080"Troubleshooting Docker
Permission denied accessing /var/run/docker.sock
On Linux, add your user to the docker group: 'sudo usermod -aG docker $USER' then log out and back in. Alternatively, run the MCP server with sudo (not recommended for production).
uvx command not found
Install uv via 'curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh'. The uvx command is included with uv and allows running Python tools without a separate pip install step.
Remote Docker host connection fails with DOCKER_HOST set
Ensure SSH key-based authentication is configured for the remote host (no password prompts). Test with 'docker -H ssh://username@host ps' from the terminal first. The SSH key must be in the default location or loaded in ssh-agent.
Frequently Asked Questions about Docker
What is Docker?
Docker is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that mcp server that enables ai assistants to manage docker containers, images, networks, and volumes through a standardized interface. it supports comprehensive operations like container lifecycle management and image pulling while ensuring correct ha It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Docker?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y @alisaitteke/docker-mcp. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with Docker?
Docker works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Docker free to use?
Yes, Docker is open source and available under the GPL 3.0 license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up Docker in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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