docker-mcp-tutorial

# 🚀 Docker MCP Tutorial - Build AI Tools with Docker [](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck) [](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/) [](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/) Learn how to build and deploy MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers using Docker! This repository contains everything from the NetworkChuck Docker MCP video tutorial, including complete examples, templates, and step-by-step guides. ## 🎥 Watch the Tutorial [**Watch the full video tutorial on YouTube →**](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck) ## ⚡ Quick Start (5 Minutes) Get your first MCP server running in under 5 minutes: ```bash # 1. Install Docker Desktop (if not already installed) # Visit: https://docs.docker.com/desktop/ # 2. Enable Docker MCP Toolkit # Settings → Beta Features → Enable "Docker MCP Toolkit" # 3. Clone this repository git clone https://github.com/networkchuck/docker-mcp-tutorial.git cd docker-mcp-tutorial # 4. Build the dice roller example cd examples/dice-roller docker build -t dice-mcp-server . # 5. Follow the Quick Start Guide # See: quick-start/setup-guide.md ``` ## 📚 What's Included ### 🎲 **Complete Working Example** - **Dice Roller** - Fun D&D dice rolling MCP server with all files ready to run ### 🛠️ **MCP Builder Prompt** NetworkChuck's custom prompt that generates complete MCP servers from simple descriptions. Just describe what you want, and it creates everything! ### 📖 **Comprehensive Documentation** - Step-by-step installation guides (Mac, Windows, Linux) - How to build custom MCP servers - Docker MCP Gateway deep dive - Troubleshooting common issues ### 🔗 **All Resources & Links** Every tool, link, and resource mentioned in the video, organized and ready to use. ## 🗂️ Repository Structure ``` docker-mcp-tutorial/ ├── examples/ # Complete working MCP server │ └── dice-roller/ # D&D dice rolling server ├── mcp-builder-prompt/ # AI prompt to generate MCP servers ├── quick-start/ # Get running in 5 minutes ├── docs/ # Detailed documentation │ ├── installation.md # Platform-specific setup │ ├── custom-servers.md # Build your own servers │ ├── docker-gateway.md # Gateway architecture │ └── troubleshooting.md # Common issues & fixes └── resources/ # Links and additional resources ``` ## 🎯 What You'll Learn 1. **MCP Fundamentals** - Understand the Model Context Protocol 2. **Docker Integration** - Run MCP servers in containers 3. **Build Custom Servers** - Create your own AI tools 4. **API Integration** - Connect to external services 5. **Security & Secrets** - Manage API keys safely 6. **Remote Access** - Expose servers over network 7. **n8n Integration** - Automation workflows with MCP ## 🚦 Prerequisites - **Docker Desktop** installed and running - **Claude Desktop** or another MCP-compatible client - Basic command line knowledge - Coffee ☕ (highly recommended) ## 📋 Installation Overview ### 1. Install Docker Desktop - [Download Docker Desktop](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-desktop/) - Enable MCP Toolkit in Beta Features ### 2. Configure MCP Client - Set up Claude Desktop, Cursor, or LM Studio - Configure MCP gateway connection ### 3. Build & Deploy - Build Docker containers for MCP servers - Register servers in catalog - Start using with your AI! *Detailed platform-specific instructions in [docs/installation.md](docs/installation.md)* ## 🔨 Building Your First MCP Server ### Using the MCP Builder Prompt 1. Open the prompt template: `mcp-builder-prompt/mcp-builder-prompt.md` 2. Describe your desired functionality 3. Feed to Claude or your preferred AI 4. Get complete, working MCP server code! ### Example: Weather MCP Server ``` "I want to build a weather MCP server that can: - Get current weather for any city - Get 5-day forecast - Convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit Use the OpenWeather API" ``` The AI will generate all files needed: Dockerfile, Python server, configuration, and installation instructions! ## 🎮 Example Server Included ### 🎲 Dice Roller Perfect for D&D and tabletop gaming: - Roll any dice notation (2d6+3, 1d20, etc.) - D&D stat generation - Advantage/disadvantage rolls - Skill checks against DC **Note:** The video also demonstrates building Toggl Timer and Kali Linux MCP servers. Use the MCP Builder Prompt to create these or any other server you can imagine! ## 🔧 Docker MCP Gateway The Docker MCP Gateway is the magic that makes this all work: - **Centralized Management** - One connection, multiple servers - **Secret Management** - Secure API key storage - **Transport Options** - Local (stdio) or Network (SSE) - **Dynamic Containers** - Servers run on-demand Learn more in [docs/docker-gateway.md](docs/docker-gateway.md) ## 🌐 Remote Access & n8n Integration Run your MCP servers over the network: ```bash # Start gateway with network transport docker mcp gateway run --transport sse # Access from n8n or remote clients http://YOUR_IP:8811 ``` Perfect for automation workflows and remote AI operations! ## 🐛 Troubleshooting ### Common Issues **Tools not appearing in Claude?** - Restart Claude Desktop - Check catalog and registry files - Verify Docker image built successfully **Authentication errors?** - Verify secrets: `docker mcp secret list` - Check environment variable names **Container not running?** - Check logs: `docker logs [container-name]` - Verify Dockerfile syntax *Full troubleshooting guide in [docs/troubleshooting.md](docs/troubleshooting.md)* ## 📚 Resources & Links ### Official Documentation - [Docker Desktop](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/) - [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/) - [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) ### APIs Used in Examples - [Toggl API Documentation](https://developers.toggl.com/docs/) - [Obsidian Local REST API](https://github.com/coddingtonbear/obsidian-local-rest-api) ### Related NetworkChuck Content - [n8n Automation Tutorial](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck) - [Docker Basics Series](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck) ## 🤝 Contributing Found a bug? Have an improvement? Contributions are welcome! 1. Fork the repository 2. Create your feature branch 3. Commit your changes 4. Push to the branch 5. Open a Pull Request ## 📄 License MIT License - See [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details ## 🙏 Acknowledgments - **Docker** for sponsoring and creating the MCP Toolkit - **Anthropic** for the Model Context Protocol - The amazing **NetworkChuck community** ## ☕ Support If this helped you, consider: - ⭐ Starring this repository - 🔔 Subscribing to [NetworkChuck on YouTube](https://youtube.com/@NetworkChuck) - ☕ Buying NetworkChuck a coffee --- **Remember:** The world of AI tools is evolving rapidly. This is your chance to be part of the revolution. Don't waste it! *"Hack YouTube ethically, of course."* - NetworkChuck