🚀 Docker MCP Tutorial - Build AI Tools with Docker

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 →

⚡ Quick Start (5 Minutes)

Get your first MCP server running in under 5 minutes:

# 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
• 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

🔨 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

🌐 Remote Access & n8n Integration

Run your MCP servers over the network:

# 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

📚 Resources & Links

Official Documentation

• Docker Desktop
• Model Context Protocol
• Claude Desktop

APIs Used in Examples

• Toggl API Documentation
• Obsidian Local REST API

Related NetworkChuck Content

• n8n Automation Tutorial
• Docker Basics Series

🤝 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 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
• ☕ Buying NetworkChuck a coffee

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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