MCP Compose MCP Server

Docker Compose for Model Context Protocol servers. Run multiple MCP servers with unified configuration, HTTP proxy, and container orchestration.

Local serverstdioPython

What is the MCP Compose MCP server?

Mcp compose mcp server connects MCP Compose to AI assistants that speak the Model Context Protocol. Docker Compose for Model Context Protocol servers. Run multiple MCP servers with unified configuration, HTTP proxy, and container orchestration.

What MCP Compose does

Docker Compose for Model Context Protocol servers. Run multiple MCP servers with unified configuration, HTTP proxy, and container orchestration.

Key capabilities

  • Docker Compose-style YAML configuration
  • HTTP proxy with automatic protocol translation (STDIO → HTTP)
  • Native support for Docker and Podman
  • Session management and connection pooling
  • Built-in dashboard and monitoring
  • OpenAPI spec generation

Tools it exposes

Once connected, the assistant can call these 3 tools directly:

  • Proxy — The Proxy tool exposed by this server
  • Dashboard — The Dashboard tool exposed by this server
  • Configuration — The Configuration tool exposed by this server

Installing the mcp compose mcp server

The server is distributed via npm as args, so most clients can run it without a manual build step. Add it to your MCP client's configuration and restart the client to pick it up — the copy-paste configs for Claude Desktop, Claude Code and Cursor are on this page.

Configuration

Before the server will start you need to supply 4 environment variables: BRAVE_API_KEY, MY_API_KEY, MCP_API_KEY, OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET. Keep credentials in your client's env block or a secrets manager rather than committing them.

Requirements

  • Docker 20.10+ or Podman 3.0+ - Linux, macOS, or Windows with WSL2 - Go 1.19+ (for building from source)

Where it fits

Cloud and DevOps servers put infrastructure on speaking terms with your assistant, so "why is this broken?" is answered from real state rather than a generic checklist. MCP Compose sits in that group, and the shape of its toolset — Proxy, Dashboard, Configuration — tells you what it is really for. Worth comparing against the other cloud devops servers in this directory before you commit to one, since several overlap in scope but differ sharply in setup cost and permissions.

Practical notes

  • This server runs locally, so it operates with whatever access your machine and its credentials already have. Scope that deliberately rather than by default.
  • It will not start until its required credentials are present, so set those before wondering why the tools never appear.
  • Maintained by phildougherty, written in Python.
  • MCP clients ask for confirmation before each tool call by default. Keep that on while you learn what the mcp compose mcp server actually does with your data.
  • Every entry in this directory is reviewed by hand before it goes live, and details are checked against the project's own documentation.

Available tools

ToolWhat it does
ProxyThe Proxy tool exposed by this server.
DashboardThe Dashboard tool exposed by this server.
ConfigurationThe Configuration tool exposed by this server.

How to install the MCP Compose MCP server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "compose": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "args"],
      "env": {
        "BRAVE_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "MY_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "MCP_API_KEY": "your-value",
        "OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET": "your-value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to claude_desktop_config.json, then restart Claude Desktop.

Configuration

  • Docker 20.10+ or Podman 3.0+ - Linux, macOS, or Windows with WSL2 - Go 1.19+ (for building from source)
VariableDescriptionRequired
BRAVE_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
MY_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
MCP_API_KEYCredential the server authenticates with.Yes
OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRETCredential the server authenticates with.Yes

Example prompts to try

  • Use MCP Compose to Proxy.
  • Use MCP Compose to Dashboard.
  • Use MCP Compose to Configuration.

Frequently asked questions

It connects MCP Compose to MCP-compatible AI assistants such as Claude and Cursor, exposing 3 tools (Proxy, Dashboard, Configuration) that the assistant can call on your behalf. Instead of copying data back and forth by hand, the assistant works with MCP Compose directly.