Get started with Docker MCP Toolkit

{{< summary-bar feature_name="Docker MCP Toolkit" >}}

[!NOTE] This page describes the MCP Toolkit interface in Docker Desktop 4.62 and later. Earlier versions have a different UI. Upgrade to follow these instructions exactly.

The Docker MCP Toolkit makes it easy to set up, manage, and run containerized Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers in profiles, and connect them to AI agents. It provides secure defaults and support for a growing ecosystem of LLM-based clients. This page shows you how to get started quickly with the Docker MCP Toolkit.

Setup

Before you begin, make sure you meet the following requirements to get started with Docker MCP Toolkit.

1. Download and install the latest version of Docker Desktop.
2. Open the Docker Desktop settings and select Beta features.
3. Select Enable Docker MCP Toolkit.
4. Select Apply.

The Learning center in Docker Desktop provides walkthroughs and resources to help you get started with Docker products and features. On the MCP Toolkit page, the Get started walkthrough guides you through installing an MCP server, connecting a client, and testing your setup.

Alternatively, follow the step-by-step instructions on this page:

• Create a profile - Your workspace for organizing servers
• Add MCP servers to your profile - Select tools from the catalog
• Connect clients - Link AI applications to your profile
• Verify connections - Test that everything works

Once configured, your AI applications can use all the servers in your profile.

[!TIP] Prefer working from the terminal? See Use MCP Toolkit from the CLI for instructions on using the docker mcp commands.

Create a profile

Profiles organize your MCP servers into collections. Create a profile for your work:

[!NOTE] If you're upgrading from a previous version of MCP Toolkit, your existing server configurations are already in a default profile. You can continue using the default profile or create new profiles for different projects.

1. In Docker Desktop, select MCP Toolkit and select the Profiles tab.
2. Select Create profile.
3. Enter a name for your profile (e.g., "Frontend development").
4. Optionally, add servers and clients now, or add them later.
5. Select Create.

Your new profile appears in the profiles list.

Add MCP servers

1. In Docker Desktop, select MCP Toolkit and select the Catalog tab.
2. Browse the catalog and select the servers you want to add.
3. Select the Add to button and choose whether you want to add the servers to an existing profile, or create a new profile.

If a server requires configuration, a Configuration Required badge appears next to the server's name. You must complete the mandatory configuration before you can use the server.

You've now successfully added MCP servers to your profile. Next, connect an MCP client to use the servers in your profile.

Connect clients

To connect a client to MCP Toolkit:

1. In Docker Desktop, select MCP Toolkit and select the Clients tab.
2. Find your application in the list.
3. Select Connect to configure the client.

If your client isn't listed, you can connect the MCP Toolkit manually over stdio by configuring your client to run the gateway with your profile:

docker mcp gateway run --profile my_profile

For example, if your client uses a JSON file to configure MCP servers, you may add an entry like:

{
  "servers": {
    "MCP_DOCKER": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": ["mcp", "gateway", "run", "--profile", "my_profile"],
      "type": "stdio"
    }
  }
}

Consult the documentation of the application you're using for instructions on how to set up MCP servers manually.

Verify connections

Refer to the relevant section for instructions on how to verify that your setup is working:

• Claude Code
• Claude Desktop
• OpenAI Codex
• Continue
• Cursor
• Gemini
• Goose
• LM Studio
• OpenCode
• Sema4.ai
• Visual Studio Code
• Zed

Claude Code

If you configured the MCP Toolkit for a specific project, navigate to the relevant project directory. Then run claude mcp list. The output should show MCP_DOCKER with a "connected" status:

$ claude mcp list
Checking MCP server health...

MCP_DOCKER: docker mcp gateway run - ✓ Connected

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

$ claude "{{% param test_prompt %}}"

Claude Desktop

Restart Claude Desktop and check the Search and tools menu in the chat input. You should see the MCP_DOCKER server listed and enabled:

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

{{% param test_prompt %}}

Codex

Run codex mcp list to view active MCP servers and their statuses. The MCP_DOCKER server should appear in the list with an "enabled" status:

$ codex mcp list
Name        Command  Args             Env  Cwd  Status   Auth
MCP_DOCKER  docker   mcp gateway run  -    -    enabled  Unsupported

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

$ codex "{{% param test_prompt %}}"

Continue

Launch the Continue terminal UI by running cn. Use the /mcp command to view active MCP servers and their statuses. The MCP_DOCKER server should appear in the list with a "connected" status:

   MCP Servers

   ➤ 🟢 MCP_DOCKER (🔧75 📝3)
     🔄 Restart all servers
     ⏹️ Stop all servers
     🔍 Explore MCP Servers
     Back

   ↑/↓ to navigate, Enter to select, Esc to go back

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

$ cn "{{% param test_prompt %}}"

Cursor

Open Cursor. If you configured the MCP Toolkit for a specific project, open the relevant project directory. Then navigate to Cursor Settings > Tools & MCP. You should see MCP_DOCKER under Installed MCP Servers:

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

{{% param test_prompt %}}

Gemini

Run gemini mcp list to view active MCP servers and their statuses. The MCP_DOCKER should appear in the list with a "connected" status.

$ gemini mcp list
Configured MCP servers:

✓ MCP_DOCKER: docker mcp gateway run (stdio) - Connected

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

$ gemini "{{% param test_prompt %}}"

Goose

{{< tabs >}} {{< tab name="Desktop app" >}}

Open the Goose desktop application and select Extensions in the sidebar. Under Enabled Extensions, you should see an extension named Mcpdocker:

{{< /tab >}} {{< tab name="CLI" >}}

Run goose info -v and look for an entry named mcpdocker under extensions. The status should show enabled: true:

$ goose info -v
…
    mcpdocker:
      args:
      - mcp
      - gateway
      - run
      available_tools: []
      bundled: null
      cmd: docker
      description: The Docker MCP Toolkit allows for easy configuration and consumption of MCP servers from the Docker MCP Catalog
      enabled: true
      env_keys: []
      envs: {}
      name: mcpdocker
      timeout: 300
      type: stdio

{{< /tab >}} {{< /tabs >}}

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

{{% param "test_prompt" %}}

LM Studio

Restart LM Studio and start a new chat. Open the integrations menu and look for an entry named mcp/mcp-docker. Use the toggle to enable the server:

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

{{% param "test_prompt" %}}

OpenCode

The OpenCode configuration file (at ~/.config/opencode/opencode.json by default) contains the setup for MCP Toolkit:

{
  "mcp": {
    "MCP_DOCKER": {
      "type": "local",
      "command": ["docker", "mcp", "gateway", "run"],
      "enabled": true
    }
  },
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json"
}

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

$ opencode "{{% param "test_prompt" %}}"

Sema4.ai Studio {#sema4}

In Sema4.ai Studio, select Actions in the sidebar, then select the MCP Servers tab. You should see Docker MCP Toolkit in the list:

To use MCP Toolkit with Sema4.ai, add it as an agent action. Find the agent you want to connect to the MCP Toolkit and open the agent editor. Select Add Action, enable Docker MCP Toolkit in the list, then save your agent:

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

{{% param test_prompt %}}

Visual Studio Code {#vscode}

Open Visual Studio Code. If you configured the MCP Toolkit for a specific project, open the relevant project directory. Then open the Extensions pane. You should see the MCP_DOCKER server listed under installed MCP servers.

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

{{% param test_prompt %}}

Zed

Launch Zed and open agent settings:

Ensure that MCP_DOCKER is listed and enabled in the MCP Servers section:

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers:

{{% param test_prompt %}}

Further reading

• MCP Profiles
• MCP Toolkit
• MCP Catalog
• MCP Gateway