ToolHive makes it easy to run and manage Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. This guide walks you through installing MCP servers from the registry, using Docker images, or from source packages.
Install from the registryToolHive includes a built-in registry of MCP servers that meet a minimum quality standard, allowing you to discover and deploy high-quality tools effortlessly. Simply select one from the list to run it securely with just a few clicks.
Select an MCP serverTo install an MCP server from the registry:
On the configuration form, enter the following details:
Server name: A unique name for the MCP server.
This defaults to the MCP server's name in the registry. If you want to run multiple instances of the same MCP server, give each instance a unique name.
Command arguments (optional):
Enter any command-line arguments needed to run the MCP server. These might be needed to pass application-specific parameters to the MCP server. Refer to the MCP server's documentation for details.
info
We've made every effort to include sensible defaults in the registry for a one-click experience, but some servers may require additional command-line arguments to function correctly.
To give the MCP server access to the file system, use the Volume mount feature. [Optional]
Secrets and environment variables expected by the server are populated from the registry automatically. Required values are marked with an asterisk (*).
note
Refer to the MCP server's documentation for the required configuration information, required permissions, and authentication details. A link to the GitHub repository is provided on each server's details page.
Network isolationYou can optionally enable network isolation for the MCP server. This allows you to control the MCP server's network access, restricting it to only the necessary resources and preventing it from accessing the internet or other external networks.
See the Network isolation guide for details on how to configure network isolation for MCP servers in ToolHive.
Start the MCP serverClick Install server to install and start the MCP server. ToolHive downloads the Docker image, creates a container, and starts it with the specified configuration.
Once the server is running, you can see its status on the MCP Servers page. Each server's card includes:
See Manage MCP servers below for more details on server states.
Install a custom MCP serverYou're not limited to the MCP servers in the registry. You can also run your own custom MCP servers using Docker images or source packages.
On the MCP Servers page, click Add server, then choose Custom MCP server in the drop-down menu. Or if this is your first MCP server, click Add custom server on the introductory screen.
In the Custom MCP server dialog, choose Docker image or Package manager.
From a Docker imageSelect the Docker image option. This allows you to run any MCP server that is available as a Docker image in a remote registry or locally on your system.
On the configuration form, enter:
A unique name for the MCP server. [Required]
The transport protocol that the MCP server uses. [Required]
ToolHive supports standard input/output (stdio
), server-sent events (SSE), and Streamable HTTP. The protocol must match what the MCP server supports.
The target port to expose from the container (SSE or Streamable HTTP transports only). [Optional]
If the MCP server uses a specific port, enter it here. If not specified, ToolHive will use a random port that is exposed to the container with the MCP_PORT
and FASTMCP_PORT
environment variables.
The Docker image name and tag (e.g., my-mcp-server:latest
). [Required]
You can use any valid Docker image, including those hosted on Docker Hub or other registries.
Command-line arguments needed to run the MCP server. [Optional]
These are specific to the MCP server and might include transport options or application-specific parameters. Refer to the MCP server's documentation for details.
To give the MCP server access to the file system, use the Volume mount feature. [Optional]
Any secrets or environment variables required by the MCP server. [Optional]
These might include API tokens, configuration options, or other sensitive data.
Click Install server to create and start the MCP server container.
From a source packageSelect the Package manager option. This allows you to run an MCP server from a source package.
ToolHive downloads the MCP server's source package and builds a Docker image on-the-fly. The following package formats are supported:
uv
package managerOn the configuration form, enter:
A unique name for the MCP server. [Required]
The transport protocol that the MCP server uses. [Required]
ToolHive supports standard input/output (stdio
), server-sent events (SSE), and Streamable HTTP. The protocol must match what the MCP server supports.
The target port to expose from the container (SSE or Streamable HTTP transports only). [Optional]
If the MCP server uses a specific port, enter it here. If not specified, ToolHive will use a random port that is exposed to the container with the MCP_PORT
and FASTMCP_PORT
environment variables.
The package protocol (npx
, uvx
, or go
). [Required]
The name of the package to run. [Required]
Command-line arguments needed to run the MCP server. [Optional]
These are specific to the MCP server and might include transport options or application-specific parameters. Refer to the MCP server's documentation for details.
To give the MCP server access to the file system, use the Volume mount feature. [Optional]
Any secrets or environment variables required by the MCP server. [Optional]
These might include API tokens, configuration options, or other sensitive data.
Click Install server to create and start the MCP server container.
Mount host files and folders (Volumes)Some MCP servers need access to files on your machine. You can mount host paths directly in the UI.
/data
).This applies to both registry-installed servers and custom servers (Docker image or source package).
Manage MCP serversOn the MCP Servers page, you can manage your installed MCP servers:
When you quit the application, ToolHive prompts you to stop all running MCP servers. The running servers are recorded and ToolHive restarts them automatically the next time you launch the application.
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