What is ToolHive?
ToolHive simplifies the deployment and management of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers. It ensures ease of use, consistency, and security by running containers in a locked-down environment with minimal permissions.
Follow the getting started guide to install ToolHive and run your first MCP server.
To learn more about the Model Context Protocol, see our MCP primer.
Why ToolHive?
We want to help you get real value from MCP servers. While there are plenty of tools to help you quickly build MCP servers, the obstacles to using those servers effectively are largely operational. ToolHive addresses the runtime, security, and other considerations necessary to use MCP servers with confidence and in production.
We address those considerations with proven, familiar technologies like containers and Kubernetes.
ToolHive lets you run any MCP server, regardless of its underlying technology stack, even when the original authors didn't provide container images. We containerize the MCP server and let you use a simple CLI or Kubernetes to manage MCP deployments at any scale. Coordinate all your MCP servers from one place with sensible security controls and container-native simplicity.
Architecture overview
ToolHive exposes an HTTP/SSE proxy to forward requests to MCP servers running in containers. The proxy communicates with MCP servers via standard input/output (stdio) or server-sent events (SSE). The ToolHive CLI interacts with Docker or Podman via the Docker socket API, letting it manage containers and their configurations.
ToolHive is packaged as a standalone CLI tool for individual developers and as a Kubernetes operator for teams and enterprises. The CLI provides a simple command line interface to deploy and manage MCP servers, while the Kubernetes operator enables teams to run and manage MCP servers centrally.
Key features
ToolHive offers the following features to simplify MCP deployment:
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Simplified deployment: Deploy MCP servers instantly with a single command using Docker containers or directly from package managers via protocol schemes (
uvx://,npx://,go://). Access a curated registry of verified MCP servers that you can discover and run effortlessly. -
Comprehensive security: Run MCP servers in isolated containers with customizable, fine-grained permissions using JSON profiles. Securely manage secrets and configurations using built-in encrypted storage or 1Password integration, eliminating plaintext secrets in configuration files.
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Enterprise readiness: Implement robust OAuth-based authorization controls for enterprise environments that integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure.
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Kubernetes deployment: Deploy and manage MCP servers in Kubernetes clusters using the ToolHive operator.
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Seamless integration: Configure popular development tools automatically, including GitHub Copilot and Cursor, to streamline your workflow with minimal setup.