Get started with Docker MCP Toolkit

The Docker MCP Toolkit makes it easy to set up, manage, and run containerized Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, 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 that guides you through installing an MCP server, connecting a client, and testing your setup.

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

• Install MCP servers
• Connect clients
• Verify connections

Install MCP servers

You’ve now successfully added an MCP server. Next, connect an MCP client to use the MCP Toolkit in an AI application.

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 following command:

docker mcp gateway run

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"],
      "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
• Gordon
• 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 "Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests"

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:

Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests

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 "Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests"

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 "Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests"

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:

Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests

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 "Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests"

Goose

Desktop app CLI

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

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

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

Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests

Gordon

Open the Ask Gordon view in Docker Desktop and select the toolbox icon in the chat input area. The MCP Toolkit tab shows whether MCP Toolkit is enabled and displays all the provided tools:

Test the connection by submitting a prompt that invokes one of your installed MCP servers, either directly in Docker Desktop or using the CLI:

$ docker ai "Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests"

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:

Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests

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 "Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests"

Sema4.ai Studio

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:

Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests

Visual Studio Code

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:

Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests

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:

Use the GitHub MCP server to show me my open pull requests

Further reading

• MCP Toolkit
• MCP Catalog
• MCP Gateway